new rack (DUW)

Here is what I came up with. It is based on the popular design from the web, but I tweaked it a little here and there as I went. It's just about done. I just have to finish 4 more hoppers and check the pluming.

Cell phone pics, not the greatest.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7171/fullfrontm.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4375/sideview.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9168/closefront.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/2117/frontclose.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1230/hopper.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/3075/hopperside.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/706...erandsteps.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/574/sideclose.jpg

lookin good, now fill it with some rodents! and take some pics. lol

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Originally Posted by aybe.sea

lookin good, now fill it with some rodents! and take some pics. lol

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I only have two sets of 1.3 adults and 10 one week old babies right now. It will take me a while to fill it. Just thinking ahead because I don't have any more room for 10 gallon aquariums. I plan on getting everything switched to the tubs by next week. I'll be sure to post some pics then.

Eh, 2 breeding pairs will fill it up quick enough lol. That is some high quality work there!

Looking good :gj:

looks nice I needto get the funds together and attmept one for my 3 different rodent supplies. I just not sure if i can trust the plumbing part my luck it leak and drown my rodents.. I am gonig to look into something this summer cause 3 large tanks in the room is a pain to move all the time if i need to look for an escapee. I had one tonight attempt but she got behind the rodent cages and the wall and it was a pain to move cause the snake cage for my boa needs 2 peopel to move it with out killing your back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mechnut450

looks nice I needto get the funds together and attmept one for my 3 different rodent supplies. I just not sure if i can trust the plumbing part my luck it leak and drown my rodents.. I am gonig to look into something this summer cause 3 large tanks in the room is a pain to move all the time if i need to look for an escapee. I had one tonight attempt but she got behind the rodent cages and the wall and it was a pain to move cause the snake cage for my boa needs 2 peopel to move it with out killing your back.

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I have the same concern about the pluming. I might drill some small holes in the bottom of each tub so it just rains down through each level and on to the floor or a catch tub underneath.

The food hoppers are worthless. I got the rats in their new home and filled the hoppers with block. They do not eat through the 1/2" screen. They squeeze through the small space between the top of the hopper and the 1/4" screen and push the block out. The hoppers were almost completely empty by morning and there was lab block all over the tub.

I would yank the hoppers and make sure to fill the holes you made in the tubs...I would use bolts. An ASF will destroy a tub in a few hours if you give them a starting place.

Your rack is pretty...seems huge for asf's though. Cat litter pans seem to work better. The mason tubs tend to create gaps quicker and the height is not great for asf's.

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

I would yank the hoppers and make sure to fill the holes you made in the tubs...I would use bolts. An ASF will destroy a tub in a few hours if you give them a starting place.

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Yep, I thought of using bolts and washers as I was putting the second hopper on. I think if I make the hoppers less wide it would eliminate the gap at the top for them to climb into.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

Your rack is pretty...seems huge for asf's though. Cat litter pans seem to work better. The mason tubs tend to create gaps quicker and the height is not great for asf's.

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Yeah, the tubs are huge. I went on advice from a local breeder. He uses these same mortar tubs. If I had to do it over, I'd use the cat pans. They just seemed so flimsy. These mortar tubs are thick, ridged plastic. I built the rack shelves tight. I don't think I'll be seeing any gaps. The height might be an issue though. The adults have no problem getting to the water. If the little guys are too short, I'll throw a 2x4 scrap in there for a step.

Down the road, I might make a cat pan rack for the breeders and use this rack for the grow outs, or sell it, or use it for something else.

Nicely done. I use the same setup for my rats and asf's.

not bad looks sturdy

It's working great. I re did the food hoppers so they can't get into them and can still be inside the tubs. Used bolts and washers to attach them this time. The weanling tubs have a 2x4 block under the dripper so the water system height isn't an issue. I'm up to 49 rats all together with plenty of room. I'm estimating that I could fit 200 or more easily. The tubs are still huge for the breeder sets. I might move the breeders to a smaller rack and keep this one for grow ups. I'm learning as I go along.

Anyway, this rack is solid and will support more than I need. With the guaranteed sale of at least 4 rats a week to friends, I have the cost covered. I should have done this a while ago. Free snake food rocks. Saves me at least a hundred every month and pays for itself. I'll update pics tomorrow night.