Rat rack is finished!

[Adam Chandler]

I decided to build a rat rack based on ARB Reptiles and Simple Man's design and instructions.





I made some slight modifications to the design like shorting it to 4 tubs and adding two additional vertical legs to attach the rails to so I could shorten the rails by 5 inches in order for the tubs to be able to be removed without the water valves getting in the way.
Also Rich from RBI recommended that I elevate the water reservoir about 12 inches above the rack in order to maintain good pressure in the system so I added a small stand for the bucket.
It's definitely not perfect, Lowes cut all the lumber for me but messed up some pretty good, a few of the cuts were as much as 1/2" off, which was a pain to work around, but overall I'm happy with it.
Overall cost was roughly $60 for the rack materials and $60 for the water system parts.

Big shout out to ARB Reptiles for their great step by step instructions and to Simple Man for all the advice.

[satomi325]

Nice and clean looking rack. I really like the water bucket stand.
What are your wood cut specs? I've been interested in building a 4 tub rack as well.

[Adam Chandler]

The 2x2 cuts for a 4 tub rack instead of 6 tubs are:
7 x 44" (legs & back brace)
8 x 21.5"
12 x 24"
8 x 22" (rails)
4 x 10" (scrap for spacing) pieces of 2x2.
4 x 12" (bucket stand legs)
12" x 12" square of plywood

[satomi325]

The 2x2 cuts for a 4 tub rack instead of 6 tubs are:
7 x 44" (legs & back brace)
8 x 21.5"
12 x 24"
8 x 22" (rails)
4 x 10" (scrap for spacing) pieces of 2x2.
4 x 12" (bucket stand legs)
12" x 12" square of plywood

Awesome.Thanks a lot!

[bokuza]

It looks so clean. /drool Looks great and i love the attached gravity feeder design.

[Adam Chandler]

It looks so clean. /drool Looks great and i love the attached gravity feeder design.

Thanks, it was a fun project

[Gene Collins]

I am really liking this design. I am curious about your breeding setup though. I don't need very much feeder production so I like the 4 tubs. I am not sure exactly how to work my question though lol. What do you keep in each tub and how do you rotate them around? Is it like one female in each of 3 tubs and a male in the last one? Then move them around for breeding?