DIY ASF Tubs

[Kevin_Hornby]

This weekend I started moving some of my breeder ASF's from 10 gallons into tubs. This is what I came up with.

Tools you need:
Soldering Iron (or drill)
Wire cutters
A knife

Material you need:
1/2 inch wire mesh
zip ties (you can also use wire)
a 16 qt Sterilite tub (1644)





Cut the wire mesh into the following sizes:

*measurements are in squares*

(1) 18 x 26 with both of the short sides having the wire left long (pictured below)
(1) 20 x 8 with one of the short sides and both of the long side having the wire left long (pictured below) Cut every 5th long end off starting with the first and ending with the last.
(1) 20 x 10 with one of the short sides and both of the long side having the wire left long (pictured below) Cut every 5th long end off starting with the first and ending with the last.
(2) 5 x 5 with no long wires left



On the lid of the tub draw and cut a rectangle about an inch inward of the inner depression.




Place the 18 x 26 piece of wire mesh on the lid (it should fit just inside the inner depression). With the soldering iron melt 1 hole inside the top left wire mesh square. Melt another hole in the square directly to the right of the first hole. Repeat for each corner.



Put the wire mesh onto the bottom of the lid and affix it using zip ties through the holes you melted. After you have it sturdy make as many or as few zip tie holes as you feel confident with. I used 3 per short side and 4 per long side.



Cut all of the zip tie ends off.



Cut 2 5x5 holes in the center of the wire mesh lid.




Take the 20x8 piece and fold it width wise on every 5th square (should be the same as the ones you cut out). This will leave you with a rectangle. Pass the long ends through the square on the opposite end and fold over to complete the rectangle. Repeat for the 20x10 piece.



On your 5x5x8 rectangle place the 5x5 piece of wire mesh on one side with the long ends going through the individual squares. Fold the ends over to secure in place. Repeat for the 5x5x10 rectangle.





Affix the 5x5x10 rectangle into one of the holes you cut in the lid by placing the long ends through the squares and folding over. Repeat for the 5x5x8 rectangle.



Fill the tub with bedding, fill the 5x5x10 hopper with food and the 5x5x8 with a water bottle. Place lid on tub.

[littleindiangirl]

Looks great! A design I use for all of my rat tubs. (although taller)

[Mitch21]

Great build and design! I don't have any experience keeping ASFs in that small of a container, but I might suggest the same design on a 55gal or even 70gal tub... They're active buggers so they might enjoy some more floor space.

[bobbi]

great job i think i might steal your water bottle dispencer idea

one small concern though... plastic zip ties and asf's may become a problem, the little buggers really like to chew, you may want to get something metal to attach your hardware cloth with, just for peace of mind.

[Kevin_Hornby]

I keep all my weaners in similar 56 qt tub setup, and believe it or not after 6 months i've only had them chew 1 plastic zip tie. (On the 56 qt's there is wire mesh on the sides of the tub for better ventilation.)

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I keep all my weaners in similar 56 qt tub setup, and believe it or not after 6 months i've only had them chew 1 plastic zip tie. (On the 56 qt's there is wire mesh on the sides of the tub for better ventilation.)

how tall is your 56 quart tub though?

The only problem I see with it is the plastic wire ties. all my grow up tubs have plastic wire ties but the lid is also high enough that they can't reach them..


May never be a problem, but with the ties possibly in reach I would definately keep a look out for that.

[SilverWolf]

Looks good! I wish I had thought of something like that for my water bottles I have in the 10 gallon tanks. Darn things chewed up two water bottles. Had to go out and spend a bit more on glass bottles.

[Kevin_Hornby]

They cannot reach the tops of the 56 qt's, but as I said the wire mesh is on the sides of the grow out tubs not the top.

[euphuistical]

Pro Tip: hot glue instead of ties. So much less work and same result.

[Kevin_Hornby]

Great idea.