Quote Originally Posted by Sita View Post
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.