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Tired of having mice tanks.....

CrousesCorns

CrousesCorns

New member
So I am tired of having mice tanks all over the place and I have decided to build a rack. I have found everything I need at good prices except for the watering parts. The lines, couplings, drink valves, etc. can get costly. I was wondering what vendors or companies that some of you have used in the past that might have a good price? I have looked at Reptile Basics since that is the closest one to me. I was wondering to if air line hose for aquariums would work since it is a lot cheaper? Also do you have to have a pressure regulator on the watering system? I am setting it up to have 3 rows of 3 tubs each so 9 in total. Can you think of anything I have not thought about?
Any info on a mice rack watering system would be greatly appreciated.
 
This is where I buy all my parts for my watering system. I haven't had a need for some time to purchase anything, but it use to be that shipping is free if over $15.00. I use the 3/16" tubing and connectors and the Vari-flo valves.

AgSelect
820 Mohr Avenue
Waterford, Wisconsin 53185
UNITED STATES
Phone: 262-821-7408
Fax: 262-534-5184
8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

Hope this helps.
 
Am I correct?

Edstrom Vari-Flo Valve, 3/16"barb, Brass
The Edstrom Vari-Flo Drinking Valve is a very popular valve for use with mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters and birds because it is so easy to activate (can be used by weanling mice). The flow-rate of water from the valve can be adjusted by twisting the valve cap clockwise to decrease flow or counter-clockwise to increase the flow-rate This model has a 3/16" barb connection for use with the Flex-Tube plumbing system. The valve is made of solid brass, with a stainless steel stem, and rugged elastomer seal and diaphragm.
How it Works: To drink, animals simply move the stainless steel stem by biting or licking, releasing water. When the animal releases the end of the stem, the elasticity of the silicone rubber diaphragm located behind the stem head pushes the head back to the closed position, stopping the flow of water.

With these vari-flow drinking valves you don't need a pressure regulator. You adjust the pressure/water release at the drinking valve?
 
Yes. I use a five gallon bucket placed above my rack and gravity does the rest. They sell an on-off valve that connects to the bucket. I also placed a drain at the end of each line to verify water flow and to cut off rows that I am not using.
 
Yes you do need a water pressure reducer unless you use a reservoir type system. If I remember correctly the maximum water pressure needs to be around 5 psi which is much lower than normal house pressure. The cheapest easiest method is to use a bucket on top of the cage as others above described.

The valves are manufactured by Edstrom Inc. You used to be able to buy directly from them but it doesn’t look like you can anymore. Here is a link to their home page. The have lots of info on how to set it all up.

Edstrom Industries

AgSelect is probably the best place to buy it all. You will find that hooking up a sipper system is probably cheaper in the long run than buying good bottles. And it will last forever.

AgSelect


Don’t use aquarium air hoses. You want black tubing not transparent. If light gets into the system you will grow algae that will clog it all up.
 
Gmmullen said:
This is where I buy all my parts for my watering system. I haven't had a need for some time to purchase anything, but it use to be that shipping is free if over $15.00. I use the 3/16" tubing and connectors and the Vari-flo valves.

AgSelect
820 Mohr Avenue
Waterford, Wisconsin 53185
UNITED STATES
Phone: 262-821-7408
Fax: 262-534-5184
8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Interesting trivia..... My grandfather built and named the Mohr Avenue road. Really! My father was born a mile or two from that place and when he was a kid...there was nothing there. Just to show you proof....here's a pic I got last time I visited the relatives in Wisconsin.

Okay...and to help you with your watering needs....Wade is correct...if you are hooking up directly to the water pipes, you'll need a regulator. If you use a reservoir/bucket, then no regulator is needed. For my small operation, I use a five gallon and three gallon bucket.
 

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