Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm finishing up the first of 2 rat breeding racks I've been working on for the last week or so, and its come time for the automatic watering system. (ill post pics once I get the 1 all setup and working)

Now I'm familar with the setup, the practical application and all that good stuff about the systems. However I'm trying something new and would like some opinions about it before I waste my time and money on it.

Your typical automatic watering system is fed by either a 1 gallon or 5 gallon bucket.. either gravity or float tank.

I'm considering hooking up 2 five gallon water buckets into the main feed line for my rat rack (basically hook them into the main line using a "T" fitting). This way I will be assured of a constant supply of water for the animals, especially once they have babies and are growing pups.

My only concern will be that the 2 seperate water supply buckets will create too much pressure in the lines and simply blow water out the drinking valves. (that would be a bad thing LOL)

Anyone tried dual water supply buckets?

dan

I am not sure I understand the set up you are proposing. If you end up with line pressure at the drip system, you are right it is too much and will leak big time.

You can buy pressure reducers to drop the like pressure down below 5 psi but they are a little pricey.

On my system I use the buckets with gravity feed like most people do. But I put a float valve in the bucket hooked up to the main water system to keep the bucket full.

If you use the float valve system here are some things I have learned over the years. I started off using swamp cooler valves but they tend to load up with calcium and then stick in the open position. I have found that toilet type valves are much more reliable.

An absolute must is some type of an overflow for your bucket. In mine I have a stand pipe in each bucket so that when the water level reaches the top of the pipe it will overflow into the pipe before it overflows the bucket. The pipe is hooked to a 1 1/2" hose so I can direct the overflow to somewhere that it won't do damage.

I've been using this system for several years without a problem.

Wade

Im not going to be running a float tank setup, im going with a gravity.. after i read ur post i went back and looked at my original one and saw where i wasnt too clear.

I figured out the answer from emailing one of the large rat/mouse breeders on the east coast. He gave me the low down on the pressure/gravity setups he uses.

Dual tanks will work just fine for my application he said, so i guess its off to agselect.com now

thanks for replying wade..

dan