Rack rat done!

Looks good! My only advice is to perhaps switch to supporting the tubs from below. It said it was the better method in the tutorial I was using, and I decided to go with the rails instead. Bad idea, tubs can and WILL drop out of the rails, and it makes one helluva mess. Especially if you have a whole bunch of mobile rats in the bin that happens to drop.

I don't bother with the auto-watering system. Each bin of 1.4 has 2x 32oz water bottles. They go through the whole 64oz in about 3-4 days. Not so bad!

http://squamishserpents.ca/wp-conten...6-2012-006.jpg

http://squamishserpents.ca/wp-conten...6-2012-001.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

Looks good! My only advice is to perhaps switch to supporting the tubs from below. It said it was the better method in the tutorial I was using, and I decided to go with the rails instead. Bad idea, tubs can and WILL drop out of the rails, and it makes one helluva mess. Especially if you have a whole bunch of mobile rats in the bin that happens to drop.

I don't bother with the auto-watering system. Each bin of 1.4 has 2x 32oz water bottles. They go through the whole 64oz in about 3-4 days. Not so bad!

http://squamishserpents.ca/wp-conten...6-2012-006.jpg

http://squamishserpents.ca/wp-conten...6-2012-001.jpg

---

I did read about the tubs slipping out from the runners, what I did was used a 2x3 on one side and a 2x2 on the other. The runners are tight to the tubs so there is no slack on either side. I might have to grab those larger water bottles you have those look awesome!

If you do get the automatic watering stuff, NEVER have a loose or wild rat/mouse near your rack! I gave up on the auto waterers when a wild mouse kept chewing the lines! I lost a couple of colonies of rats because he would chew the lines and flood the tubs! Best case would be chewing the lines and flooding the floor! 5 gallons doesn't seem like a lot until you have to clean it up a couple of times!

I currently have four six tub rat racks and use one 32 oz bottle per tub. Also have a 24 tub mouse rack with 8 oz bottles per tub. Only spend about 1/2 hr a day filling the bottles. Small price to pay to ensure no flooded tubs and lost groups of breeders.

Note: I build all my rat tubs using 2x3, same price as 2x2 and way better quality. Tubs fit great don't believe there is any chance of them falling.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tfpets

If you do get the automatic watering stuff, NEVER have a loose or wild rat/mouse near your rack! I gave up on the auto waterers when a wild mouse kept chewing the lines! I lost a couple of colonies of rats because he would chew the lines and flood the tubs! Best case would be chewing the lines and flooding the floor! 5 gallons doesn't seem like a lot until you have to clean it up a couple of times!

---

Yeah I choose water bottles because I don't want to deal with a flood either, 1) because I don't want to drown any of my ratties. They are foodz, but I still love em! and 2) We live in a 3rd floor apartment with WHITE carpet! Thankfully, the landlord doesn't care if the carpet gets dirty because it's from 1991 so she's ripping it out as soon as we move. But still, definitely don't want to deal with any flooding!

I can definitely see any roaming mice or rats creating a problem with chewing/flooding. I have not run into this, as we don’t have much for wild rodents here in Vegas. I have seen where others keep a few live traps around just in case of escapees. As for the leaking valves... luckily, I have not run into this at a year in. As it has been said, "they are food, but still part of the family". A flood would be extremely sad.

Anyways, I found this youtube video that pretty much shows the basics of putting the auto/gravity water system together. There are many different configurations and tweaking you can do (I liked adding on off valves for bins not in use, even though I haven't had that scenario for a while); however, this will show you the basics of setting one up if you are still interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh1HUULQjoM

Here is the link/guide I used for my rack build. Lots of pics, solid rack, and shows more watering examples.
http://www.southtexasreptiles.com/st...ead.php?t=3318

The only major difference with the rack was the rails. I too had to double up my rail width in order to hold the tubs more securely.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions! Will be happy to help in any way I can.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WmHrbst

Finally had some spare time to build my rat rack, just wanted to share with you guys
Any questions, or advice feel free! I am new to breeding rats so any help would be great!

http://i46.tinypic.com/or1cfd.jpg

---

I see what you mean now about the thicker rails. This would definitely help!

Unfortunately the plans I used didn't allow any extra width to add in bigger rails, I didn't even think of that in the first place. I originally built them to raise ASF but gave up on them and now I raise regular hooded rats. Which are A LOT heavier than ASF colonies. Which I assume is why I had the bin drop out. Also the bins gradually get heavier (obviously) from all the food, poop, pee, water, etc.

I wish I thought of this when I built them, because now I can't go back and build lower supports because there isn't enough room between the bins. Oh well!

Yours looks great, though!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

I see what you mean now about the thicker rails. This would definitely help!

Unfortunately the plans I used didn't allow any extra width to add in bigger rails, I didn't even think of that in the first place. I originally built them to raise ASF but gave up on them and now I raise regular hooded rats. Which are A LOT heavier than ASF colonies. Which I assume is why I had the bin drop out. Also the bins gradually get heavier (obviously) from all the food, poop, pee, water, etc.

I wish I thought of this when I built them, because now I can't go back and build lower supports because there isn't enough room between the bins. Oh well!

Yours looks great, though!

---

Thank you! The next one I make I am going to use all 2x3, they are the same price as the 2x2 where I live.
Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I ended up building two more racks. I built a four tub and also a larger size with two tubs, which I run 1.3 in. I checked yesterday morning and low and behold pinkies! I didn't want to bother them to much but I will post pics later!

http://i46.tinypic.com/2cd7eid.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/rji4pw.jpg