Automatic waterer issues...

[DragonBoy]

Has anyone here had problem with the vari=flo valves from the low pressure watering systems either sticking open and drowning the cages or not working and depriving the cage of water altogether? I have one of the freedom rodent breeding systems and the top row is a 5 cage mouse section. I have had more problem with this level of cages in the 10 months since I have my system. This week it drowned out 2 cages of mice in a matter of no time. They were fine in the AM and that evening were waterlogged with about 2 gal of water in each tray. Both nozzles had stuck in the open position. They are not expensive to replace but its a pain when one of them decides to go flunky. Anyone else had problems? I have emailed edstrom the manufacturer and gotten nothing back from them on these issues.

 

[Fatman608]

Mice have a habit of putting bedding in the water valve. Edstrom makes a special valve for mice too help stop this from happening. I have two of them but have not installed them yet.

Also, Some times the valve gets stuff in it and is blocked open with so little water pressure it only takes a vary fine grain of sand to block the valve open.

One problem I had was that my tubs hit the water valves and that missed up my valves by slowly turning them.

Fatman

 

[wade]

I can think of a couple of things that may be your problem. Sometimes the mice will stuff wood shavings into the sipper. I’ve had this happen a few times. I don’t have a good solution for that other than don’t put as many shavings in the tub.

Most likely your problem is dirty water. Any little grit that get in will cause the valve to malfunction. I have a water filter that all the mouse water goes through before it gets to the reservoir. Also I keep lids on the reservoir to keep dust and foreign material out.

I tried putting vinella in the water once to see if it would reduce the smell of the mice. It didn’t. What it did do was cause some bacterial growth in the plumbing that was jelly like. All of the valves dried up.

Are your tubes clear. Clear tubes will allow light into the water and cause fungus growth. That would cause a malfunction.

How tight are you adjusting the valve? I screw it down snug so that no water will come out and then start backing it off until I can get just a slow drip, not a stream. If it’s too loose you’ll have dripping problems.

You said the valves were not expensive to replace. I have had veri-flow valves for 10 or 15 years and never replaced one. Take them completely apart. There are two brass halves that thread together, inside there is a stainless steel stem, a yellow O ring, and a blue rubber gasket. The parts are real small so don’t loose them. Soak them in vinegar for an hour or two. Rinse real well. When you reassemble them put a little Vaseline on the O ring and the rubber gasket. They are good as new.

Hope that helps.