ASF's Hoax Style Huge DUW

This is a 116Q tub from sterilite so just adjust to your needs.

Here is the lid before anything is done.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0229.jpg

After I cut out the lid.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0230.jpg

On these lids I just used a razor knife. On the clear plastic ones I use a dremel tool with a wood detail blade. They are harder plastic and don't really cut well with a razor.

I used 1/4 hardware cloth to keep in the ASF babies. I made the holes with a wood burner. I used tie wire to hold down the hardware cloth, approx every two inches.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0231.jpg

The lid fully tied down.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0240.jpg

I have a hopper build into the lid. This is how you make that if you like.

This one is a two piece hopper because I had this for scrap. It is much easier to use one piece. I will try to do a one piece and put up the pictures for it.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0244.jpg

Step two.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0245.jpg

Now for the other half that has the bottom.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0248.jpg

Step two for the other half.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0249.jpg

Tie up the corner. It will make it easier later.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0251.jpg

Put the two together and lace it up.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0252.jpg

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0254.jpg

Leave the extra so you can tie it to the lid.


Cut a hole in the top. I lay mine against it to lay it out. It makes it mistake proof. It is so depressing having to do all of that cutting and tying twice.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0255.jpg

Lace it up really well. I make two passes all the way around. I do not want to have to find more ASF's in my bath tub ;)

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0256.jpg

This is the finished product.

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC_0257.jpg

I mount my wheel on the lid to keep the ground more clear for them to run around.

I have been mounting my water bottles on the inside but I think I am going to buy the plastic ones and mount them on the out side. Some one told me to put a metal washer on the hole to keep them from chewing on it. I am just not happy with the bottle inside it makes watering easier on the outside.

Let me know what you think. Thanks for taking the time to look. It took 5 hours to make the tub take pictures along the way resize and post this, I really liked doing this and I hope it can help some one.

Looks really nice, a lot like Connies...bigger I think, and I like the wire interlacing for security. What gauge/type of wiring did you use?

I need to make one of those for my grow outs,my lab cages are full!!

Great stuff!!! Very detailed instructions too... You've never had them chew through plastic? I was under the impression that they had to be kept in glass... but I know more and more people are keeping them in plastic!
Again... great stuff!

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

Looks really nice, a lot like Connies...bigger I think, and I like the wire interlacing for security. What gauge/type of wiring did you use?

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My design is based off of Connies. I used 1/4" hardware cloth.

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Originally Posted by greghall

I need to make one of those for my grow outs,my lab cages are full!!

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I have one of the tubs with 18 hoppers in it, they have plenty of room.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Great stuff!!! Very detailed instructions too... You've never had them chew through plastic? I was under the impression that they had to be kept in glass... but I know more and more people are keeping them in plastic!
Again... great stuff!

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I had my male chew through another tub that I had. It had a hole in it from where I changed my mind on a design. Never change your mind, if you do I would glue a metal washer there with some aquarium silicone. I have also thought about using JB weld it is fairly cheep it would be very efficient, just be sure to let it set up for 24 hours before you put in any rodents.

I know the hardware cloth is 1/4", what gauge of wiring did you use to weave in the hardware cloth to the lid and the hopper to the hardware cloth.

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I know the hardware cloth is 1/4", what gauge of wiring did you use to weave in the hardware cloth to the lid and the hopper to the hardware cloth.

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I am sorry I guess I didn't understand what you wanted. It is 24 guage steel wire.

Mike

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Originally Posted by hoax

My design is based off of Connies. I used 1/4" hardware cloth.



I have one of the tubs with 18 hoppers in it, they have plenty of room.



I had my male chew through another tub that I had. It had a hole in it from where I changed my mind on a design. Never change your mind, if you do I would glue a metal washer there with some aquarium silicone. I have also thought about using JB weld it is fairly cheep it would be very efficient, just be sure to let it set up for 24 hours before you put in any rodents.

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I've successfully used JB weld to close up holes for water bottles. I decided I wanted the hole up a bit higher. I put packing tape on the inside, then I globbed up the hole with JB weld. Little buggers cant get a tooth around it.


If you didnt want to risk a hole in the side, make a second hopper to drop your water bottle into from the lid.

Looks GREAT!

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I've successfully used JB weld to close up holes for water bottles. I decided I wanted the hole up a bit higher. I put packing tape on the inside, then I globbed up the hole with JB weld. Little buggers cant get a tooth around it.


If you didnt want to risk a hole in the side, make a second hopper to drop your water bottle into from the lid.

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I currently have them mounted inside. I want to put them on the out side so i can water easier.

Great looking setup, Mike. When I eventually buy some ASFs, you can stop buy for some beer and make one for me. ^_^

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Originally Posted by Melicious

Great looking setup, Mike. When I eventually buy some ASFs, you can stop buy for some beer and make one for me. ^_^

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Thats a long drive for some beer....

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Originally Posted by hoax

I currently have them mounted inside. I want to put them on the out side so i can water easier.

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And dropping the water bottle into a hopper (from the outside) isn't easy enough? :P

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

And dropping the water bottle into a hopper (from the outside) isn't easy enough? :P

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...OK I am confused. Can you give my simple mind some pictures... or explain like you are talking to a 5 YO??????

Mike

I couldnt find a good pic for an example, but imagine emptying the food hopper that you have built into the lid, and just sliding the water bottle down into it. That way, the bottle is able to be taken in and out from the outside, but the stem can go through the hopper.

Since you still need food, you either make another hopper or make yours bigger and add a divider.

This didnt seem to help much so I will try to find a pic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I couldnt find a good pic for an example, but imagine emptying the food hopper that you have built into the lid, and just sliding the water bottle down into it. That way, the bottle is able to be taken in and out from the outside, but the stem can go through the hopper.

Since you still need food, you either make another hopper or make yours bigger and add a divider.

This didnt seem to help much so I will try to find a pic.

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OK I understand. I think. I was thinking of making some out of thin guage steel and cutting a hole in the side. I will try to make one and post pictures.

Or I could just make a rack like every one else has... they just can not have the coveted wheel of life...

I had the exact same set up except I had 1/2 inch wire for the hopper. The babies could get through so obviously I had to change things around a bit. So they can still eat around the 1/4 wire? Also, I used to drop my bottles into my hopper, but after a while they figured out how to chew holes in the water bottle even with it in the hopper...so I moved mine to the outside. I put a washer on the inside and so far haven't had any problems (but its only been a couple of weeks). Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

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Originally Posted by PigsnPythons

So they can still eat around the 1/4 wire?

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I think they are eating around the wire. It may take them a little more effort to do it, but hey they need something to do any way. I have not seen any signs that they can not eat around the wire.

If I find any more info I will keep you guys updated.

I also thought about cutting out some of the wires in the 1/4" so they can get to it with out the babies cant get out. Like cut out every other wire on every other row. so there are some 1/2" X 1/4" holes so they can get food but not escape. I know it would be a lot of tedious work but to me it might be work it on the small scale.

mine eat around the 1/4" wire just fine.

Yea thats what i have been using also.