Feeding help............

[PitOnTheProwl]

I know most all of you use rat racks but I figure I could still ask for help.
I have a shelving unit that holds a bunch of 20L tanks, 16 to be exact and I already have the tanks.
My problem is feeding the rats. Right now I am using the kidney shaped bowls because I have them too.
I know they pee and poo in their bowls so it is a constant cleaning thing.
I cannot seem to find a hopper style food holder anywhere or I'm not looking in the right place
I am also usually really handy when it comes to building something but I have a brain block on how to build. I know I could use screen or hardware cloth but I am worried about them chewing the wood.
So could someone post me some pictures of their feeding system in tanks?
I could really use the help right now. Thanks.

[snakesRkewl]

Your problem will be replacing sick rats...
Tanks are for fish, asf's and maybe mice, rats do not do well in glass tanks.
Ammonia is heavier than air and will sit in the bottom of the tank so the rat breathes it and gets myco.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-detailed-pics!!!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Thanks for the link.
How are the tanks any different than a tub??

[snakesRkewl]

Tubs are 5 inches deep and do not hold the ammonia in, tanks are 12 inches tall and do hold it in.

[stratus_020202]

But, theoretically, you could drill holes in the tanks close to the substrate right?

[jasbus]

You can use a fan to circulate the air in the room, but ultimately, you're better off getting them out of fish tanks... On top of the ammonia, the heat also builds up in fish tanks...
One or two in a large tank as a pet is fine, but when breeding they just get too populated too fast..

[snakesRkewl]

Jasbus is correct about the fan, it can help but it's not something I'd chance personally.
Raising and breeding rats is hard enough without chancing sick rats spreading their myco to the whole colony and ruining all that hard work you put into the breeding program.

It cost $50 to build the 4 level rat racks that I use, that's wood, tubs, hardware wire, nails, staples everything

[PitOnTheProwl]

But, theoretically, you could drill holes in the tanks close to the substrate right?

My new question as well????
I have ceramic bits that will do glass too.

I already have these tanks plus more. I know I could sell them off to buy the supplies for the rack but that is not an option at this time.

So, would vent holes help the possible situation?
I will prolly build a rack or two in the next 6 months or so but I am trying to get some colonies started now.

[PitOnTheProwl]

These are the 20L zilla style tanks.
I wounder if there is a way to roll them on the back side so that the screen top is now the front?
I know I would have to build a substrate dam but do you all think the metal screen would keep them from chewing through or should I back it with hardware cloth?

New idea...............thanks for getting me side tracked again

[starstrukk]

^ I'm really interested in how to make that idea work, because I've got plenty of tanks that I have no interest in selling, but would like to use as ASF containers. In the case of tipping it on the side, how would you then open it?