Great q's, I have used both types of systems. If you keep the factory lids there is more tolerance for error in fit regarding the system and you never have to worry about a really small individual squeezing out. With that said if you use a lidless system you can access and maintain each box easier, there is one less thing to clean (the lid), and you get a bit more air circulation w/o lids. More air moveing means less airholes created by you! I wish I had back the afternoons I spent with a sodering gun melting thousands of holes in rubbermaids and sterelites.......


The one other bit of advice is this......dig deep into your pockets and buy more than double the number of bins you think you will ever need. You will break some, and they will discontinue making that size and fail to send you the memo!

Also, It is so much easier to do deep cleaning/100% change outs when you can just go through with a clean replacement tub all set with clean bedding and a fresh water dish.

I have one system that holds 33 tubs of a size of steralite that they no longer make and deep cleaning takes all day of moving, and soaking, and loading......

hope this helps

jg

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