Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was following some instructions of the web on how to make a rat rack, but my I got tubs that are of different dimensions.

I just need help with the top wire parts (where the food go) and also, the runners. The legs are the easiest part.

The dimensions of the tubs are> 14 Gallon- 8" High x 20.25 Wide x 32.5 Long

I also need help on how much wood to buy and at what lenghts because I don't want to buy less wood.

Thanks for reading.

Just factor the difference in tubs into the old instructions. For example if the old tub was 6" and the new tub is 8" than the diffence being 2" needs to be muiltiplied into the overall height by however many tubs there are. If there are 8 than the height needs to increase by 16".

About all the help I can do without more info or via the web.

Sounds like an Argee Concrete mixing tub. Just make sure the tub stays snug against the screen. As well as ensure that there is a solid object covering the entire lip. If not the rats can get there teeth above the screen and into the tub. Don't ask me how...

Regardless rats can go through plastic tubs like butter....keep them feed and watered!!!

Cheers
-----
Jeremy Payne

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.0 Snow "Khal"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Khal"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost **coming soon**
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost **coming soon**
1.1 Khal Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
2.0 Child

Could you post a link to the instructions you are using?

Bighurt has already covered it, you will have to compensate for the difference in tubs. As far as exact lumber cut sheet though, we will have to see the plans you are using.

We built two twelve tub racks using the mixing tubs from Home Depot (can't remember the brand) and they worked out very well for us. We used a picture we had found on the web and modified it.

Make sure you use a screen size that fits the food you are using, 1/3" is what we went with if I remember correctly. It was an odd size and had to be ordered.

I will be using Concrete Mixing Tubs.

I know how to do the legs, but it is the screen part that I need help with. Can you help me with that part?

This is the link to the instructions that I was looking at:
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

After you build the frame, cut the mesh longer and wider to allow you to fold it up along side the frame. Than staple it!

Its easy as that!
-----
Jeremy Payne

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.0 Snow "Khal"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Khal"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost **coming soon**
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost **coming soon**
1.1 Khal Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
2.0 Child

That is the plan I used to build our racks. You will like it.

The different tubs that you are using are much larger, where did you purchase them?
Make sure you measure and order the mesh wide enough to cover the rack shelf.

I used the tubs from Home Depot instead of the MacCourt from Lowe's, those tubs are much better quality. I will try to look to see what brand/size they are today. They might be the same tubs you are using, I just can't remember.
I layed out the tubs on some 2 x 2 rails and set the runners in place then measured across the whole layout in order to get my shelf frame width.

The mesh is easy to install. We just rolled out the mesh over each completed frame and cut it to size with snips. We hand stapled it to the frame with some heavy galvanized staples.

The wood will usually come in 8' lengths, so don't get too concerned about being short of material. This type of lumber is reletively inexpensive, so if you do make a mistake it won't be a huge loss.

As you can see we also made some liberal changes to the plan.

One thing we did to make it easier to use was to cut small ramps on the front of each runner. This makes it easier to slide the tubs in and out. You could do this on your 2 x 2 runners.

Wicked Pics Larry! I love it!

The tub I am using from Home Depot is made by Sceptor, from Canada.

Since it is 8" high, will that be good enough or is it too tall?

Thanks for all the help. If I run itnto probs, I will reply in this thread, or I'll just hit you guys up with a pm. Is that ok?

Thanks,
KMR.