Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read somewhere about plans to make a gas chamber for rats, I can't remember if it was here or on the ball forum. Anyway, the plans said to use a seperate container filled with a little water and run a line inside so the excess co2 gets passed through the water. My question is, what is the purpose of the water? does it make the co2 break down faster so it doesn't fill the room? Any help is appriciated. Thanks.

Not sure about your question. But I put the rats in a tote, then put a tall bowl of warm water with dry ice in it, in the tote. Close the top, and leave them for a while. It does the trick. A pound of dried ice in MO is 72 cents. Hope this helps.

I am also interested in building a co2 kill box. I would love to be able kill 10-20 small rats with the push of a button. Anyone with designs? How many of you use co2?

Christian

I do not know what the water is for but here are some links that you may find helpful and a picture of my home made chamber. The hardest part was finding a good hose. The tank end is pipe thread. Most sink hoses are only pipe thread on one end and compression on the other. The only modification I would make is connecting the hose to the top instead of the side. Also, letting the gas in slowly seems to make things go without struggle to breath.

Word doc from university procedures:

http://thepal.com/ks/20051229/P13EUTHANASIA.doc
http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/euthmous.htm

Cheers,
Al

the water may be for use with dry ice to help it release the co2. Im not really sure but thats my guess.
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True Redtails