DIY rat tub questions

[Marrissa]

So I only have one tub right now, but I'm planning to pick up a couple more girls when I get back home. I used the Metal Monkey walkthrough on tubs. The problem I'm running into is the tub is huge and takes up a lot of room but four fit comfortably in there (at least when they don't have babies). But because I can't stack the tubs because the mesh is on the top, it takes up even more room. I just read this whole thread: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...1-New-Rat-Bins and this seems like it'll be better. I'm not sure how to get the food hopper to work. I saw one picture of someone hanging it on the inside but I just know a rat is going to find their way inside it. How many rats can you keep in a 35 gallon tub? What would be the best way to do a food hopper in this situation? I really like the stackability and the fact that they're smaller tubs so I can buy a plastic rack to put them on once we change apartments.

Or smaller tubs with the mesh on top still, that could fit in a rack would work... idk. I'm confused one which way to go here and which way has better success vs. space saving.

[j94712]

I have two rat bins with the side metal mesh design (much better air flow). I hang my food hoppers on the mesh, which is on the side of the rat bin. Since those rats love getting into the food hopper, you will need to add some kind of cover with the mesh. For more secure of the cover, i use a metal wire to lock it with the rat bin metal mesh. Hopefully you got the idea. i can take a pic if you are confused.

[satomi325]

I have tubs that have mesh on top and on the sides. They are still stackable, however, I don't stack mine. If you choose to stack, I would just have mesh/ventilation on the sides and none on the lid. You can fit 4 rats comfortably in the 35 gallon totes.

This is my ASF Tub



Before I started using racks for the Norway Rats, I had stand alone tubs. This was one of them.


My old set up before racks:


Not my photo, but this is a good food hopper design that you can hang from the side wall of the enclosure with a cap:

[Marrissa]

Thanks guys! Helpful as always.

[rzreptile]

This is what I use. Was cheap and inexpensive to build and works well. I only have 1.3 rats so I will be adding more tubs at some point but fits my needs.

I plan on adding a watering system to it as the rats go through a lot of water.


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[Marrissa]

Eventually I'll do a rack system. For now I'm in an apartment, and hopefully moving apartments within the next few months. When I get my own house I will for sure be adding one of those cement mixing tub racks.

[leesbutterballz]

I hate to revive an old thread but I had a question. With placing the food on top of the tubs are the rats able to get to it? Im just trying to figure out what i wanna do with my racks.

[Marrissa]

Yep. I have both rat and mice racks and non have problems eating the block through the hardware cloth.

[rzreptile]

Yep, I agree they are able to eat the food without difficulty. When I have babies as they are close to weakling age I will often fill up a hopper that I built out of the same 1/2 in mesh and hang it from the top of the screen to allow them easier access although I don't really thinkit is necessary.

[Viol8r]

This is what I use. Was cheap and inexpensive to build and works well. I only have 1.3 rats so I will be adding more tubs at some point but fits my needs.

I plan on adding a watering system to it as the rats go through a lot of water.

I use this as well, except I have the watering system in place. I'm about to build another one this weekend so I can expand my production. I will have them side by side so I can put a back up watering system in. I usually only check the water nozzles when changing out substrate weekly, so I don't want one system to fail.