Rat rack build question

[kevinb]

Oh okay I get it now. I think I will go this route. Will be placing the order in a couple weeks when I get paid again.

[Sita]

I definitely think the system is worth it. If you use a bucket rather than hook it up to a water source, you won't have as bad a flood if it ever happens. Having to refill water bottles every other day was a pain, as well as the fact that I couldn't pull out a tub unless I moved the bottle beneath it out of the way. And depending on where you place the rack, the noise from 6 tubs of rats drinking all at once is REALLY annoying! It's like one tub hears someone else drinking, so they have to drink too.

I ordered my system from Reptile Basics also; it's the cheapest I could find. The tubing you might be able to find cheaper at the pet shop if you look at the tubing used for airlines in aquariums. My rack is about 5 feet tall, and I needed about 10 feet of tubing. You need a T junction for all but the bottom tub, that one gets an elbow joint. You'll also want to get loop clamps (http://www.reptilebasics.com/clamp-loop), I used 10 on my rack. Also the clips to hold them in place: http://www.reptilebasics.com/mountin...variflow-valve

I don't think you need the drain valve thing. You can just hold the bottom drinking valve open to flush the system.

These are the plans I used to build my rack, and have been very happy with how it works. I used the "support from the bottom" method. http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

[Inknsteel]

I definitely think the system is worth it. If you use a bucket rather than hook it up to a water source, you won't have as bad a flood if it ever happens. Having to refill water bottles every other day was a pain, as well as the fact that I couldn't pull out a tub unless I moved the bottle beneath it out of the way. And depending on where you place the rack, the noise from 6 tubs of rats drinking all at once is REALLY annoying! It's like one tub hears someone else drinking, so they have to drink too.

I ordered my system from Reptile Basics also; it's the cheapest I could find. The tubing you might be able to find cheaper at the pet shop if you look at the tubing used for airlines in aquariums. My rack is about 5 feet tall, and I needed about 10 feet of tubing. You need a T junction for all but the bottom tub, that one gets an elbow joint. You'll also want to get loop clamps (http://www.reptilebasics.com/clamp-loop), I used 10 on my rack. Also the clips to hold them in place: http://www.reptilebasics.com/mountin...variflow-valve

I don't think you need the drain valve thing. You can just hold the bottom drinking valve open to flush the system.

These are the plans I used to build my rack, and have been very happy with how it works. I used the "support from the bottom" method. http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

I did forget about the loop clamps. You'll want those to secure the water line to the rack. I skipped the clips personally. I just feed the end of the valve through one of the holes in the hardware cloth.

You CAN run it without the drain, but trust me, it makes bleeding the lines a lot faster and easier. Rather than sit there holding the bottom drinking valve with your finger as the water drips out, you just unscrew the plug and done.

Those are very similar to the plans I used to build mine. I found my rat rack build on a DIY thread on this site.

[Inknsteel]

Here ya go...

The reservoir sits on top. I prop it up on some leftover 2x2 scraps from the build.


The "backbone" of the system runs down one leg of the rack as you can see in that pic. I have two racks side by side, so here's how I split off for the individual lines to the tubs using the T-valves.


Here's the end of one of the lines. I use the loop clamps to secure the backbone and each individual line to the rack.


As I said in my last post, I don't use the clps. I just put the end of the drinking valve through the hardware cloth.


After the bottom water line, I ran another few inches of tube and connected the drain valve. I just put a cup under it when I need to drain it.

[sorraia]

I'll try getting some pictures of my new watering system. It's similar to Inknsteel's, but I don't have the drain valve at the end, and I do use the clips on the water nozzles. I love the watering system simply because it saves me time. water bottles work, but it is more time. I use a 5 gallon water bucket instead of a water source. If anything happened and one of the drinking nozzles did start to leak, it would only leak whatever was left of the 5 gallons and then stop. Wouldn't be great, but not a disaster. Instead of filling water bottles, I just go through each night and tap my finger on the end of the drinking valve to make sure it works, and that's it. Once in awhile check the bucket to make sure it has water. Quick and easy.

I'm using 1/2" mesh and so far haven't had any problems.

[gilly]

[QUOTE=Inknsteel;2039659]Here ya go...

Would like to ask 2 things if you don't mind my jumping in please ?

If there is odor, how do you control it ? I'm thinking of joining the ranks of growing my own feeders, but I am barely allowed to stay in the house with my collection and am going to need to stay under the "family radar" if I start a rat colony.

Also, do the rats in the aquarium have special meaning/value to you or do they just get a penthouse view ?

[Inknsteel]

Would like to ask 2 things if you don't mind my jumping in please ?

If there is odor, how do you control it ? I'm thinking of joining the ranks of growing my own feeders, but I am barely allowed to stay in the house with my collection and am going to need to stay under the "family radar" if I start a rat colony.

Also, do the rats in the aquarium have special meaning/value to you or do they just get a penthouse view ?

There is definitely odor from the rat colony. The key is ventilation and frequent cleanings so the ammonia from the urine doesn't build up, and to keep the air from getting stagnant. I also run a DIY air cleaner consisting of a box fan and a furnace filter that I replace every few weeks.

The rats in the aquarium are ASFs. They're in the aquarium rather than the rack because ASFs are quite a bit smaller than rats and I've heard stories of heads getting stuck in the 1/2 inch hardware cloth. I only keep one small colony of the ASFs, which I think I'm going to get rid of. I got them initially when I had a very picky eater I rescued, but he's now taking down rats like they're going out of style.

[kevinb]

Thanks for the pics Kevin! I think I will be going that route. I have also decided I'm going to make a birthing/growout rack as well with more tubs. I know pretty much everyone uses cement mixing tubs, but is there other options I could use for the birthing/growout rack?

[sorraia]

There is definitely odor from the rat colony. The key is ventilation and frequent cleanings so the ammonia from the urine doesn't build up, and to keep the air from getting stagnant. I also run a DIY air cleaner consisting of a box fan and a furnace filter that I replace every few weeks.

I agree with this. Frequent cleanings (at least once a week, but depends on the density of animals in a given space) and ventilation is crucial.

I personally find that my two rabbits stink worse than my current colony of rats (currently have 4 males and 12 females of various ages and sizes, no litters yet though). Their litter boxes need to be cleaned almost daily. Not sure if that comparison helps at all, but just thought I'd throw it out there.