rat rack bin

I am building my own rat rack and was wondering if anyone has used these same bus tubs and can tell me if they ever had any problems with rats/mice chewing though the tubs. They are the 20x15x5 Polyethylene Bus Tub.


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5...4/100_0734.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5...4/100_0732.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5...4/100_0731.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5...4/100_0733.jpg

:snake:

They may chew the bottom, I've heard of some using cement tubs, but whatever you decide to use make sure it has smooth surfaces.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

They may chew the bottom, I've heard of some using cement tubs, but whatever you decide to use make sure it has smooth surfaces.

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I would like to use the cement mixing tubs but they are just alittle to big for the space I have.

Bus tubs are good also, so long as all surface is flat.

That may work if, you line the bottom with wire mesh to prevent them from chewing,

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Bus tubs are good also, so long as all surface is flat.

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All bus tubs have those ridges but they are thick plastic. I have seen acouple of set-ups where ppl where using them.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

That may work if, you line the bottom with wire mesh to prevent them from chewing,

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I was thinking about that actually and using tie straps to hold it down. Each time i clean I would probably end up replacing some.

What do you think about those jumbo litter pans? They seem really thin.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/suff...215205/BK.html

I ordered mine from the link above and I think that the company just changed the bottoms of that tubs because the picture that they advertise is the same one that you are showing. However, when I got them in the mail, they have a nice rounded bottom that they cant chew.

If you do have any problems with chew outs, you could try this:

http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/z...f/tubpatch.jpg

Basically you have 4 pieces of trim that are 1" wide by 1/4" thick. Frame the pieces together so that they are the same dimensions as the bottom of your tub. Cover the top of with 1/4" hardware cloth.

Now to attach it to the bottom of your tub, you have a few different options:

1. You can glue it to the bottom but this will make cleaning the bedding out of the wire mesh a pain in the butt.

2. Velcro strips on the bottom of the frame. I have no experience with velcro and bedding so I have no clue if it would get caught up in the velcro and make it become weaker over time.

3. Magnetic strips. This would allow you to take it out easily for cleaning and the bedding wouldn't stick to it. (I would personally try this method.)

After you get it attached to the bottom. You can cover it with whatever type of bedding you use.

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Originally Posted by ericzerka24

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Thx for the idea.

first off if you put any type of screen in the bottom it will be hassles at cleaning time

second, if you put wood trim in the bottom, it will get saturated in urine and start stinking pretty quick..

third....just use mortar tubs. Busing tubs suck.

I believe "Tablecraft" use to and maybe still makes a 5"-7" deep bus tub that has flat bottom and smooth sides. We use to use them for AFS and mice. Till our local suppier stopped carrying them.. Now we just use the a converted tote for them and I think there is even some Kitty litter pan racks out there too.. All of those are good options..

We love the mortar tubs for rats though..make sure you get the ones with out the hole in the end. They put it there to let you hang the tub up, but it makes for a great place for rats to ruin a tub.

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

first off if you put any type of screen in the bottom it will be hassles at cleaning time

second, if you put wood trim in the bottom, it will get saturated in urine and start stinking pretty quick..

third....just use mortar tubs. Busing tubs suck.

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Thats why you use velcro or magnets so it can easily be removed. Instead of trim you could use pvc so it doesn't get saturated.

Morter tubs are great for rats but I think that they are a little to big for ASF's. (IMO) I really like the bus tubs and havent had any problems with chewing. As long as you make it a snug fit against the hardware cloth, you should be just fine.

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Originally Posted by ericzerka24

Thats why you use velcro or magnets so it can easily be removed. Instead of trim you could use pvc so it doesn't get saturated.

Morter tubs are great for rats but I think that they are a little to big for ASF's. (IMO) I really like the bus tubs and havent had any problems with chewing. As long as you make it a snug fit against the hardware cloth, you should be just fine.

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you are working on theory because velcro would get bedding all through it and not work in a few weeks if even that long...


and magnets....please show me pics.:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

you are working on theory because velcro would get bedding all through it and not work in a few weeks if even that long...


and magnets....please show me pics.:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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I don't have any problems with chew outs.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

We love the mortar tubs for rats though..make sure you get the ones with out the hole in the end. They put it there to let you hang the tub up, but it makes for a great place for rats to ruin a tub.

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i actually bought the ones with the hole right at the end. i compensated when i built my rack by running the middle length of wood on the frames right over it. the rats cant get their noses up or arount it to be abe to chew. but that only worked because of the design of my rack.