Problem. I originally told my wife that this project was going to cost about the same as a month's supply of feeders. So she is holding me to that budget ($150). Those metal pans alone would put me over budget. I picked up some mortar tubs instead. I also got the lumber and ordered the parts for the water system, and I am still within budget!

Now, I'm wondering if anyone can tell me from there own experience if these little guys can get through the 1/2" hardware cloth or not, and if so, can they get food through the 1/4"?

If the answers are yes and no respectfully, I'm going to have to come up with some other way to feed them. I was reading that some of you just throw food into the tubs. How's that working out? Would that work for all my tubs (breeder, weaned, grow ups)? I think it would be difficult to keep track of how much food is left in there.