Rat Rack - Home Depot or Lowes Small Tubs

I'm looking for opinions on which small mixing tub is better for a rat rack - Home Depot or Lowes.

I would like pro's and con's from those that have used both.

Thanks.

I got mine from home depot and they work perfect. I didn't know there was a difference though.

I prefer Home Depot over Lowes... same price I believe except Home depot is a tad bigger and also sturdier. The Lowes tubs seem flimsy and cheap to me.

I prefer the ones from home depot as well, better quality in my opinion.

The Home Depot tubs are ~3% bigger at the top but the Lowes tubs are ~24% bigger on the flat floor space.

Has anyone used both day to day in a rat rack and seen a difference?

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

The Home Depot tubs are ~3% bigger at the top but the Lowes tubs are ~24% bigger on the flat floor space.

Has anyone used both day to day in a rat rack and seen a difference?

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We have both in service and the lowes tubs are flimsy and thin compared to the home depot tubs but both "work".

I'm running 25 tubs and used to run primarily Lowes tubs because I figured they were all the same. But when I got my first couple home depot tubs it didn't take long before I started switching over. They are a thicker plastic and less susceptible to chewing (in my experience at least). They also have a smooth surface where Lowes has a slightly textured surface. That's probably not a big deal but I think it makes them harder to get clean. JMO

Thanks for posting.

It's the thicker, stiffer plastic that I'm worried about. I dropped a Home Depot tub and it cracked. I tried the same with the Lowes tub and it just bounced.

I don't see or feel any texture on either surface. The HD tubs have measuring marks all around the rim which I thought would be a problem.

I just built a rack using the Lowes tubs and I need to build another which is why I'm asking for opinions. If I was using the large tubs it would be HD.

I use the Lowes tubs. I have come close to several chew-outs with the home-depot ones, it is an easy fix though. The home-depot ones have a little punch out in the for hanging on the wall...........COVER IT IN HARDWARE CLOTH and then they dont have anything to start chewing on.
Yes, the Lowes ones are a little thinner BUT they are also totally rounded so there is really no area the rats can get a tooth hold.;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

I just built a rack using the Lowes tubs and I need to build another which is why I'm asking for opinions. If I was using the large tubs it would be HD.

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Its a total pain in the butt to rebuild a whole rack because the two carry different tubs. So I go to Lowes every couple weeks and have my own stock:D

I don't have any trouble using both tubs in the same rack. What problems did you have?

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Originally Posted by Amon Ra Reptiles

I don't have any trouble using both tubs in the same rack. What problems did you have?

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They are different sizes so they are not inter-changeable;)

Hmm I use mine interchangeable. I'm confused lol. I guess I always thought they were basically the same size.

HD 27.6x24.8x6.5

Lowes 26x20x6

post picks of your rack because I would love a rack that worked with both:gj:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

HD 27.6x24.8x6.5

Lowes 26x20x6

post picks of your rack because I would love a rack that worked with both:gj:

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I could see it working if you used a bottom support instead of slide rails and the screen frame was big enough to cover either tub. It would still meed an adjustment.

BTW, the dimensions on the website for the Home Depot tub do not match the one I have. It's actually 27.5x19.5. That's 5 inches less on the width. And the SKU number is the same. And the Lowes tub I have measures 26.5x20.25.

The length difference is an inch amd the width difference is .75 inch. The flat floor area is bigger on the Lowes tub.

I just tried putting the HD tub in the rack I built for Lowes tubs. It does fit loosely on the slide rails and the length is OK. The problem is with the tub rim which is twice as big on the Lowes tubs. So when you put the HD tub in the rack there is a big gap between the top edge of the tub and the screen.

Again, it will fit but needs adjustments.

I prefer the Lowe's tubs. There's not texture on them at all so I don't know which people were referring to? Mine are completely smooth which makes them a breeze to clean. The Home Depot tubs have ridges in the tops around here which would be a chewing point. I have three racks of Lowe's tubs and double checked the Home Depot ones thta everyone raves about before I built my last rack and they appear smaller and have the ridges/holes in the lip. I haven't had an issue with my Lowe's tubs and will continue to build them with those tubs.

Regards,

B

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

I just tried putting the HD tub in the rack I built for Lowes tubs. It does fit loosely on the slide rails and the length is OK. The problem is with the tub rim which is twice as big on the Lowes tubs. So when you put the HD tub in the rack there is a big gap between the top edge of the tub and the screen.

Again, it will fit but needs adjustments.

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I found out the hard way.........on cleaning day!!! HD tub with bedding and went to put it on the slides and it was almost an inch too narrow. I was pissed:rage::rage::rage:

I have HD tubs and a buddy of mines has the Lowes tubs and he wishes he bought the HD tubs because they seem sturdier and I agree.:gj:

I don't know I use both home depot and Lowes tubs and I use them interchangeably in all of my racks and both tubs seem to fit any slot without any issues. To date ive never had a chew out on a home depot tub. I have had several on the Lowes tubs however. They chew out the bottom corners. Just my opinion but I'll use the Lowes tubs until they get chewed but any new ones purchased will be home depot all the way.