Rat condo ready to go, critiques?

[Kroberts10]

I got my rat condo all set up and ready to go, now just to get the inhabitants. How’s it look? I decided to go with 1 5 gallon bucket with 2 runs of water lines to supply both racks. For now I plan to put 2 females per tub on one side, with 1 male rotating between them, and use the other side as a grow out once they are ready to wean. I may up my female numbers if I see a need to. But I feel like 12 females should give a good start. How’s that sound?
My local orcheln carries kiln dried pine bedding for <$5 per large bag and the pet store in A town an hour away carries Mazuri rat food, so I’ll just pick up a bag when I go there for my twice per month jiujitsu class (usually train local but go down for special, when I’m off work on Friday’s)
I just made a call to the nearest pet store that carries dumbo and Rex rats and asked her to hold me a male dumbo and the females can be a mixture of all the above. Might as well go with fancier rats if I’m gonna breed them. Since I’ve been a customer of hers for several years and help her frequently with ball python question, she’s giving me a good deal.


If it’s not obvious yet, I’m getting pretty excited to start my own colony.

Kyle


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[Stewart_Reptiles]

Should have use black tubing for your watering system to avoid algae to develop inside the tubing, other than that looks good.

There is a reason why every rat rack you see use use black tubing

[Kroberts10]

Algae buildup never crossed my mind. I guess that for now I’ll keep the clear on until I start to see some forming then I’ll switch it out with black. Hopefully I can Atleast get a couple months before needing to swap it out.

Kyle


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[Bogertophis]

Algae wouldn't have crossed my mind either. Maybe it's still in the black tubing...you just can't see it? (LOL)

You could maybe use some black duct or electrical tape to wrap this tubing if you don't want to switch it out.

Anyway, looks good otherwise. Given the choice & not thinking about algae, I'd have chosen clear tubing as well, to be able to
see any issues in the tubing. Wonder if you could prevent the algae by occasionally pumping out the tubing w/ something to clean it?

[pretends2bnormal]

Algae wouldn't have crossed my mind either. Maybe it's still in the black tubing...you just can't see it? (LOL)

You could maybe use some black duct or electrical tape to wrap this tubing if you don't want to switch it out.

Anyway, looks good otherwise. Given the choice & not thinking about algae, I'd have chosen clear tubing as well, to be able to
see any issues in the tubing. Wonder if you could prevent the algae by occasionally pumping out the tubing w/ something to clean it?

Black tubing doesn't build up algae since algae requires photosynthesis to grow, without light it can't grow inside. Light can enter the clear and allows it to grow.

Other gunk can build up in the black, so you should clean the tube every month or two. (Usually vinegar or diluted vleach) RBI sells a piece to out at the bottom of the rack tubing that lets it drain easily through.

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[Bogertophis]

Black tubing doesn't build up algae since algae requires photosynthesis to grow, without light it can't grow inside. Light can enter the clear and allows it to grow....

Yes, thanks, I know...I often use a wink when I'm joking...

I've never used automatic watering with my rodents, but periodically force-flushing the tubing out with vinegar+ sounds like a good plan.

[pretends2bnormal]

Yes, thanks, I know...I often use a wink when I'm joking...

I've never used automatic watering with my rodents, but periodically force-flushing the tubing out with vinegar+ sounds like a good plan.

I'm a little slow tonight, oops... but probably can't hurt to have it out there for anyone else who might not have thought of it.

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[Kt011092]

Also, be sure to check the no-drip nozzles everyday. Lost a small colony due to clogged nozzle. I never gave it a thought before that. Now they get checked at least once a day for water flow.

[AntonB]

Algae wouldn't have crossed my mind either. Maybe it's still in the black tubing...you just can't see it? (LOL)

You could maybe use some black duct or electrical tape to wrap this tubing if you don't want to switch it out.

Anyway, looks good otherwise. Given the choice & not thinking about algae, I'd have chosen clear tubing as well, to be able to
see any issues in the tubing. Wonder if you could prevent the algae by occasionally pumping out the tubing w/ something to clean it?

No need to replace tubing i add 5ml of bleach each time i fill up and that keeps the tubes cleat of algae

[Kroberts10]

I got my first inhabitants for my colony today. 12 females and a male. The male is a dumbo Rex, the females are a mix of dumbos, Rex, and a variety of color phases. Two of the females were already pregnant and ready to pop in te next couple days. For now I went ahead and put them as the last in the rotation the male will see before te starting.

Kyle


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