Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering how I could set up a watering system for a rat rack. I remember reading about someone using supplies from home depot, but I can't seem to find that post.

Thanks for the help.

go to agselect.com and order everything, you can get tubing and t's from hardware stores, but not the drinking valves. Agselect has free shipping and they have great instuctions and even tools to figure out exactly what you need. Here is a copy of my last order so that you can get some part numbers.....

Neil,
Thank you for ordering from AgSelect.
Your order, number 4003471, has been shipped today, December 8, 2004

Quantity Part Number Description
18 1000-8000 Edstrom Vari-Flo Valve, 3/16"barb, Brass
24 1610-1656 Fitting Barbed Tee 3/16"barb x 3/16"barb x 3/16"barb, plastic
18 1100-7440 Mounting Clip for Vari-Flo Drinking Valve with 3/16"barb
5 2020-1125 Drain-Vent, Barbed, 3/16"barb
22 1100-7273-316 Tubing Standoff for 3/16"Flex-Tubing
40 1600-1654 Flex-Tubing 3/16"id, Black PVC * per foot*

I had a look at agselect.com, just what I'm looking for! Thanks. Just another question, do you use a reservoir tank or do you have it conected directly to your water supply line using a pressure regulator?

Thanks for the info.

I use 5 gallon buckets. Its only happened once so far but I just had a rat the other day jam bedding into the watering tip and half flood the tub. I'm afraid with the systems that alwasy have pressure that they will not only flood there bin, but other bins as it over flows if its not caught quickly...

Plus I like to add a teaspoon of bleech to the 5 gallon buckets to keep algie growth out of the tubing.

That makes good sense. I think I'll go that way as well.

Thanks again for the info.

Everyone here makes a great point about automatic watering and really knows what they are doing. I used a little bit different method in mine because I didn't like a 5 gal bucket full (or even half full) of water hanging high. Not saying that my way is right by any means, but it works for me. The question then becomes, "if a faulty valve causes a flood, you loose an entire bin" and this is true, however, same thing could happen with a 5 gal. bucket also so I tried this method and have had great results. Again, not saying this is a correct way, but it has worked well for me. I'll post the pics.

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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

2nd view

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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

3rd pic

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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

4th image

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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

5th pic (regulator assembly) really inexpensive about 4-7 bucks try home depot or lowes

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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

transition from "evaporative cooler" tubing (1/4" O.D.) to 3/8" I.D. (to big really, but I had it with alot of other fittings) by way of JOHN GUEST sytle fitting (push fit)

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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

Great looking system! Thats kinda what I had in mind. Where did you buy your drinking valves?

I saw this once but, couldn't tell you where. Somebody had installed a small screened plug near the bottom/front of the mouse/rat tub to allow water to flow out of the tub in the case of a stuck water valve. I don't know how easy it would be to install or the cost involved but, definitely was a well thought out idea.
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No good deed goes unpunished!

That is a good idea. Thanks.