Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I upgraded tanks, and went to multiple rat cages, and as a result went to 16, 24, and 32 oz water bottles, the expensive glass ones.
I can't get them to work. At all.
The look like they are going to work, and the rats drink out of them for a second, but then stop.
Then I touch the tip and bone dry.
The only way to get more water out of the bottle is to shake it a little bit.
I tried tightening the bottle really loose. (Didn't work.)
Taking the seal out from between the bottle and cap. Didn't work, either.
Once it stops dripping on it's own, the water just won't come out.
Is there a secret to making the big water bottles work?
My cheap old POS 4 oz bottles are in there now, but I have to refill them every few hours during the heat of the day.What am I doing wrong?
The brand is chew proof super pet bottles in 16 ,24 and 32 oz.
The bottles are glass.
The 4 and 6 oz bottles work fine.

Is it a ball tip? Can the rats move the ball easily? Is the bottle at that best angle to keep the ball at the tip to create flow?
If they are brand new I would be tempted to wash a few in soap and water and see if there is too much pull in the tube and a soapy wash breaks the surface tension.
Sorry I can't think of anything else other than call or email Superpet and see what they say.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

Well, it looks like a squirt of dish soap and hot water did the trick.
Now I can fill them all the way full and they work 100%.
Thanks, you're a lifesaver.

They're a bit expensive, about $14 each plus shipping, but for my rats I use Edstrom Water Buddy 32 oz water bottles.

They use edstrom water system valves so there is no leaking and no noise. They are filled from the top so don't need to be removed from the cage except to clean them occasionally.

So, where would I find them online, and would they work with aquariums?

http://www.bunnyrabbit.com/price/waterbottle.htm

Not sure about in an aquarium, you'd have to rig a hanger with hardware cloth as they are designed to attach to a cage. They might also chew on it, as it's made of PVC and not glass.

If Sonya's suggestion doesn't work (washing them) try over-filling them, leaving no air in the bottle, and then screw the valves on. They could be creating a dry pocket vacuum. When you go to turn them over keep the ball from making a seal until after water comes out. You might have to hold the bottles horizontally while pushing in on the ball to get the water to start flowing.
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American