RAT Rack n Roll.... Cue style!

So.... here it is!
Seeing as my collection has grown considerably, it was time to build a rat rack.
Rapture and I (with SOME help from our male counter parts)...;) Constructed two of these!
I was supposed to deliver hers to her this evening... but we're getting pounded w/rain.... sorry D. :(


The water system tested like a charm. I opted to put it into the laundry room for several reasons...



1.The cat's litter boxes are in there and it's already been dubbed a"smelly room" ! :oops:
2. I plan to run a splitter off of our washing machine to eliminate toting water...
3. If/when something leaks, it'll hit the tile in the laundry room...


Special thanks to Cue for the plans... Gonna go move the ratties now! :carrot:


Thanks for looking! :D

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/007-6.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/008-6.jpg

Looks really nice... can't wait to get mine set up.

Looks really good. question for ya... what do you have on the end of the watering system like in the tubs? Normally they have the small ball to stop the water flow, i have always been curious as to how that works for you guys with the watering sysetems.
Thanks
Mike

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Originally Posted by wildlifewarrior

Looks really good. question for ya... what do you have on the end of the watering system like in the tubs? Normally they have the small ball to stop the water flow, i have always been curious as to how that works for you guys with the watering sysetems.
Thanks
Mike

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Its a drinking valve. Like this:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/i...roductid=16219

Looks good! I have never taken it as far as painting the wood. Wicked cool...

Nice :eek:

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Its a drinking valve. Like this:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/i...roductid=16219

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Ahh i didn't realize they make those. Thanks for the clarification man.

~mike

Hey Mike... here are some close up pix. of the parts! Got all the stuff from Reptile Basics, they have a great parts list with what they suggest to get, etc...


Drinking valve, with Shut off valves to each tub.... Just in case! :oops:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/009-2.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/010-3.jpg

The tank connector...
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/011-3.jpg

Suggested drain valve at the bottom... with wheels to roll for ez sweeping ! :rolleyes:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/012-4.jpg

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Looks good! I have never taken it as far as painting the wood. Wicked cool...

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Thanks Jamie! :wuv:

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Originally Posted by cueball

Nice :eek:

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It's you design silly! :rolleyes:



except for a few flipped #'s ! HAHAHAHAaaaaa......... :oops:

That looks really really good, (sorry if i didn't seem impressed with my original post, i really am, i was just confused with the valve situation) but that looks really awsome, how many breeding pairs/animals do you plan on putting in there?

~mike

Thanks Mike! I'm planning on 1 male for 3 females.... I think that's what I read was a good ratio??? Haven't gotten to that point yet! Anyone using this tub size, please jump in for a good male/female number ! :sunny:

Very nice rat rack, it surprises me what women can do sometimes! :salute:

Nice rack, Laura! (I love saying that and getting away with it) :P I have a question about the blue valves, though. I've seen most racks with just a 'T'... what made you go with a valve in between bins?

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Originally Posted by ECLARK

Very nice rat rack, it surprises me what women can do sometimes! :salute:

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Wow... Ed is making friends. Who wants first whack? :fishslap:

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Nice rack, Laura! (I love saying that and getting away with it) :P I have a question about the blue valves, though. I've seen most racks with just a 'T'... what made you go with a valve in between bins?

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I would guess it is so she can turn off the water on an individual tub to clean out a valve. It would be just as easy to turn off the main valve. I didn't see the need for the extra cost. But whatever works!

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Thanks Mike! I'm planning on 1 male for 3 females.... I think that's what I read was a good ratio??? Haven't gotten to that point yet! Anyone using this tub size, please jump in for a good male/female number ! :sunny:

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I run 1.3 with good results. In a bind I will put 4 girls in a tub, but it starts getting cramped when babies come. Nice rack! :D

-Evan

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Originally Posted by Evan Jamison

I run 1.3 with good results. In a bind I will put 4 girls in a tub, but it starts getting cramped when babies come. Nice rack! :D

-Evan

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During breeding I run 1.4 normally. Pregnant moms are separated to rest before giving birth. After the babies are at least a week old, I will sometimes put multiple mothers with similar size litters together in a large rubbermaid. Sometimes it is just necessary since space is limited. This seems to work out well. It evens out the litters and tends to take the burden off mothers with larger litters. The mothers take turns nursing. So far, so good! Large, healthy babies...

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Originally Posted by ECLARK

Very nice rat rack, it surprises me what women can do sometimes! :salute:

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You aint that familiar with us Texans, are you??? :rolleyes:



:8: I never picked up a power tool, if that makes you feel better!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I would guess it is so she can turn off the water on an individual tub to clean out a valve. It would be just as easy to turn off the main valve. I didn't see the need for the extra cost. But whatever works!

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Funny you mentioned that! Cause they are in the wrong spots !!! :oops: They should have all been like the first tub, where it wouldn't interfere with the T... so if one was leaking, or needed to be cleaned, I could shut off one tub only.... Oh well... Build & Learn! (Good thing there is extra tubing for a re-do)! lol And your right, I just thought it would be a good option! :P

[QUOTE=xdeus]Nice rack, Laura! (I love saying that and getting away with it) :P



Thanks! I'll never get tired of hearing that! :8:

Thanks Evan and Jamie for the Rattie feed back! I was actually thinking of keeping the bottom open for the preg-o's.... ?

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Thanks Evan and Jamie for the Rattie feed back! I was actually thinking of keeping the bottom open for the preg-o's.... ?

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Some people are really good at plannng rat production. I am not particularly great. I love the rats and am amazed by the genetics though! I like to have a spare tub for cleaning. It makes it easier to move rats and leave them there and then clean the tub. Rather than using a holding tub and doing extra work.

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Originally Posted by Laooda

It's you design silly! :rolleyes:

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I owe it all to Mpenn. I could not have done it without him and his grey rack :gj:

RIP grey rack :cool:

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Originally Posted by Laooda

except for a few flipped #'s ! HAHAHAHAaaaaa......... :oops:

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My plan worked to fool the herp world one rat rack at a time :carrot:

Oh, no.....How can you say that. :eek:

Very happy that you stay away from power tools. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laooda

You aint that familiar with us Texans, are you??? :rolleyes:



:8: I never picked up a power tool, if that makes you feel better!

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Lawrence, you know how I fly. Balls to the wall, crippled and wounded! :P

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Wow... Ed is making friends. Who wants first whack? :fishslap:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by cueball

I owe it all to Mpenn. I could not have done it without him and his grey rack :gj:

RIP grey rack :cool:



My plan worked to fool the herp world one rat rack at a time :carrot:

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Welll......... cheers to Mike! And you'll have to think of a better way to take over the world! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by ECLARK

Oh, no.....How can you say that. :eek:

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:8: Got Cha!

Settling in nicely! :P

Dumbo 1.1 Pocket and Lindsay
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/014-2.jpg
1.2 Blues... ?? One girl Perry is an odd color. Wheres Becky???
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...itters/034.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/016-3.jpg

Virgil, AKA Big Poppa diving for something!?!? :oops:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...itters/030.jpg

Will Virgil be joining the fray? :D

Are you keeping them on coco cereal?? :8:



Mmmmm...Mazuri :lick:

The what???? :confused:

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Originally Posted by cueball

Are you keeping them on coco cereal?? :8:



Mmmmm...Mazuri :lick:

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No, left over stuff, from an unmentionable source! ;)



Soft Sorbent.... Best odor control bedding I've found! Similar to care fresh!

You mentioned that you have cat(s), I would watch out for missing babies when the time comes. My cat has learned how to "pull" the tubs out just enough to reach her paw in and yank out hoppers. Then with the gap the big guys can nose it open. Talk about a mess!

If you use a flat piece of wood with one screw or nail through it so it can rotate it will stop the bins from being pulled out wiht out you around.

Just a thought so you dont come home to anything you werent expecting.

It looks really nice though. I didnt bother to paint mine, kinda makes me wish I had now. :)

Good point!!!! Thanks for that.... I just went and looked, the tubs have a drilled hole in them, I'm gonna go run a long screw or something to use as a peg! GREAT point ! Thank you! :D :sunny: :D

The main reason I painted was to make it ez to wipe down, also thought the painted wood wouldn't catch the smell as bad???

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I like to have a spare tub for cleaning. It makes it easier to move rats and leave them there and then clean the tub. Rather than using a holding tub and doing extra work.

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Bingo! One open tub in the rack as well as a few extra tubs around make cleaning go much quicker, with a lot less moving of ratties. :D

-Evan

Gotcha! Great idea! I will definitely put that good piece of advice to work! :D

looks great but does the tubs catch the water valve without undoing the clips

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Originally Posted by nixer

looks great but does the tubs catch the water valve without undoing the clips

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Yep!... :oops: I can pull the tubs almost all the way out before the valve catches. I'll haft to unclip them when I need to completely remove the tubs...
But let me tell ya... it's beating the heck out of filling water bottles 2x a day! lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laooda

No, left over stuff, from an unmentionable source! ;)



Soft Sorbent.... Best odor control bedding I've found! Similar to care fresh!

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I have not seen either of these beddings at the reptile shop I use....do you have to order it?

wow... what are the chances of getting those plans? :please:

Nope, The big chain stores will have it in the small animal department....

Here's a pix for ya! Cost about 15.00 for this large bag.

*it also comes in colors* :P

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ters/013-3.jpg

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

wow... what are the chances of getting those plans? :please:

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Here! They are Cue and Mike's plans... :P so I can't take any credit!
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=41520

spanks honey!

Any time! ;)

;) anytime, anywhere... anything as always eh? :giggle:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

;) anytime, anywhere... anything as always eh? :giggle:

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That's how us Uni's roll! :8:

roll? you didn't say anything about rolling...

What, you've never seen a unicorn on roller skates? :P

NIce rack ... I like the paint job!!!


Neil