Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking for a good idea for a rat raising tub. I'm going to buy two large breeder tubs which will suit my needs for breeding, but every first litter from a pair I plan on keeping to raise future breeders. I'll want to keep them separate so I'll need two separate containers for raising breeders. Obviously I could just purchase two more breeder tubs, but I'm looking for a little less of an investment. Does anyone have any ideas or pictures of anything that could be used as stand alone containers. I have no need for a rack at this point. I'm looking for something inexpensive, but strong enough that the rats can't chew through it or escape.

Thanks,
Mike

aquariums worked for years...and can stand alone...?

./....20 long....30...40 breeder...depending on your needs...
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........JY

An aquarium is what I use now. The babies have removed bedding from the bottom. My big concern is if they eat silicone and then I feed that rat to my snake is there any damage that can be done by my snake digesting the silicone?

Here are some pics of a basic set up "old school" Hope this helps. (cement mixing tub, 1" x 2" wood frame lid, 1/2" hardware cloth, screws). This was a friends idea and works well for him. I use a freedom breeder type rack system.

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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

...that setup works....but has it's faults....the bottles need filled everyday...(I fill at LEAST 60 a day everyday for 20 years now).....and the bottles can be bumped so the nozzles are to the side...and the angle is wrong for proper emtying....they can also have wood chips pushed up into /onto the nozzle and then all the water will escape into the bedding....all ideas have faults...chips and nozzles always are a problem no matter what type you have....

silicone....it won't hurt anything ....I have used tanks for 20 years...actually I bet some are actually 20 years old....there probably isn't much silicone left...?.......

.... know guys that used metal wash tubs with metal 1/2 inch screening layed over the top with bricks holding it down....bottle through a hole drilled in the side...

I use also...look for restaurant supply tubs...polycarbon Rubbermaid tubs...they come in all sizes up to like 60 gallon....hard but not cheap....

....I like aquariums for the clear view of the rats etc...
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........JY

So I'm using a 55gallon aquarium right now and had two females and a male in there? What's the maximum number of females you can put in a 55 as a colony?

best is the 1.2
but you could go 1.4 probably with no problems?...depends on the size of the rats...and of course they will grow as they get older......keep an eye on them, as they have kids it will get crowded....

I have 1.10...yes...alot...but I pull them as they are ready to breed and place them each in a lab cage till they wean.....they are in a different size then a 55...55 are longer ....

oh...it depends on how often you clean also....

...good luck.........
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........JY

rat rack, they will chew through a rubbermaid tub eventually
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They aren't the rubbermaid tubs. They're the breeders boxes from Big Apple Herp. I've seen videos. I think from Ralph Davis where he uses tubs to raise the future breeders in.

if its the ones im thinking of, they have a poor design that allows the rats to chew the tops because the wire top doesnt sit down past the edge of the tub, might be something to look into
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I could see where that would be the case, but only on either end... And I'd have to see them in person to know for sure. But I know the latch goes over the ends I'm just not sure if the top goes over or in. I know that the sides are in cause the top vees down for food and water bottles.

Sam's Club sells heavy duty gray bus tubs (dish tubs used in restaurants) in the department where restaurant supply stuff is located. We have used these for years in a rack system. Not too expensive and I think they come three or four tubs to a pack.