ASF tank lab block hopper instructions with detailed pics!!!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Yes, I am sure!

Been using them for months, and have had no issues. Trust me, they don't have any trouble at all getting a mouthfull of food with little to no effort... It just stops them from being able to "play catch" with the lab blocks!

I am not the only one that uses hoppers, that is for sure!!

[monk90222]

When you decide to start selling these, I'll take 4.
Seriously!

[Somed00d]

I like to use a cutoff disk in an angle grinder to cut the hardware cloth..

Also its probably a good idea to wear gloves. The last attempt at a hopper left my hands looking like hamburger.

Good tutorial i think it needs a sticky.. Far better than the hopper i made lol..

[frankykeno]

Good tutorial i think it needs a sticky.. Far better than the hopper i made lol..

Stickied here and also copied into our DIY forum. Nice job Mike! I'll definitely be making some of these as soon as I phone Home Depot and make sure they stock those metal zip ties.

I'm thinking I'll use these for the lab blocks and still offer a bowl of mixed seed and cat kibble every few days just as a suppliment to the lab block hopper feed. That way I get the best of both worlds and the ASF's can have a bit of variety in their diet. Should definitely save me some on my monthly feed costs for them.

[littleindiangirl]

I like to use a cutoff disk in an angle grinder to cut the hardware cloth..

We do that too, makes it heck of a lot easier! Plus you can grind off the little left overs that would cut you.

All my rats and ASF's eat out of hoppers, they have no problems getting to the food. I know I made a thread at some point showing my way of making hoppers that did not involve any zipties. Wasn't stickied like Mike's

Good thread, I'd myself just make the hoppers bigger to hold more food.

[monk90222]

I just bought the stainless steel zip ties from Home Depot. 10 for $4.19.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Good thread, I'd myself just make the hoppers bigger to hold more food.

My origional hoppers were too big... these were made smaller on purpose. they hold exactly 1/2 pound of Mazuri 6F. Depending on a few variables, it will usually last more then a week with a 1.4 group.

In my opinion, any bigger and the food sits in the cage too long.

Mike

[littleindiangirl]

My origional hoppers were too big... these were made smaller on purpose. they hold exactly 1/2 pound of Mazuri 6F. Depending on a few variables, it will usually last more then a week with a 1.4 group.

In my opinion, any bigger and the food sits in the cage too long.

Mike

How long do you think is too long and why?

[Mike Cavanaugh]

How long do you think is too long and why?

This isn't based on any scientific info... or any studies or anything, it's just a personal preference. The longer the lab block is in the tank the more it appears to obsorb moisture, get darker, and ultimately loose its freshness. Take a fresh piece and break it in half. then take a piece that has been in the cage for 2 weeks and break it in half. There is definately a difference!

How long is too long? any longer then reasonably necessary.

Tell me, when you have to go into the cage to fill the water bottles every three or four days anyway, why would you want a hopper that holds more then a weeks worth of food?

Mike