Q: What pieces are required to set up a flex-tube
system for one cage?
A: 1) one water valve (multiple valves are usually not
required for large cages)
2) one valve clip (connects valve to
cage)
3) one barbed tee
4) one or two stand-offs (stand-offs
should be placed every 18 inches)
Q: What do I need to set up an automatic watering system for small animals?
A: 1)Drinking Valve 2)Tubing or Piping 3)Water Supply
Q: Which drinking valve should I use?
A: The Edstrom Standard valve is best suited for rabbits. The
Edstrom Variflo valve is best suited for gerbils, hamsters, mice & rats.
Q: What kind of tubing or piping should I use?
A: 1) The 3/16" flex-tubing works on cage rows upto 50 feet
long.
The 3/8" flex-tubing works on cage rows upto 100 feet
long.
3/16" tubing is required on 3/8" runs for the tubing that
runs from the distribution line to the valve. For this you will also need
the 3/8"x3/16"x3/8" tees.
one bucket.
Flex-tubing can be cut with scissors and is easy to install by just pushing it
onto the tees. Stand-offs are recommended with flex-tubing. These
hold the tubing away from the cage so the animals cannot chew it.
2) PVC pipe can be used in cage rows upto 200 feet long. It can be cut and
glued together.
Q: How many valves can I operate off a bucket or pressure regulator?
A: One bucket can operate upto 75 valves. One pressure regulator can
operate upto 600 valves.
Q: What should I use for my water supply?
A: 1) You can use a bucket with a tank connector. Tank connectors
come with a 3/16" barb for the 3/16" tubing. If you are using
the 3/8" tubing you will need to purchase a 3/8" barb.
You can purchase a float for your bucket and have constant water supply.
2) You can use a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator comes
with a 3/16" & 3/8" barb. It can also be plumbed to PVC
piping. This give you a constant supply. If you need to add
medications you will have to connect to a bucket. A filter is recommended
for use with pressure regulators.
Q: What pieces are required to set up a flex-tube system for one cage?
A: 1) one water valve (multiple valves are not required for
large cages)
2) one valve clip (connects valve to
cage)
3) one barbed tee
4) one or two stand-offs (stand-offs
should be placed every 18 inches)
Q: Are there any other parts required?
A: A drain valve at the end of each line allows for flushing your
system.
You will need to flush out the air to begin with and then it is a
good idea to flush your system once a month with bleach water to sanitize
it.
Q: Sanitizing?
A: Sanitizing the Plumbing System For household potable water systems it is a
good plumbing practice to sanitize the lines on start-up to eliminate bacteria
in the pipelines. This is also a good practice to follow for your Automated
Watering System. Sanitization of the lines can be easily done by filling them
with a chlorine solution and allowing them to stand for at least 30 minutes. It
is recommended that the chlorine solution have a concentration of 5 to 10 parts
per million (ppm). This will not harm the animals/birds if they should drink it.
You can easily prepare a chlorine solution by mixing household chlorine bleach
and water. A solution of ½ teaspoon per 7 gallons water will produce a solution
of approximately 5ppm. The method of filling your pipelines with the sanitizing
solution will depend on the water supply method you are using. If a Storage Tank
is used, you can fill it directly with the sanitizing solution. If a Float Tank
is used, the fresh water supply must be shut off and then the tank must be
filled with the solution. Once you have sanitizing solution as your water
supply, you should flush each line (including the line going to the valve) just
long enough to fill it with the solution. Then allow the system to sit for at
least 30 minutes before flushing the lines with fresh water. Doing this once a
month is advised.
Q: How do animals learn to drink from the water valves?
A: Most animals can sense the water and will learn to drink quickly.
If your animal is having difficulty, I recommend just pushing on the stem a
couple times to make the valve drip some water. They will usually figure
it out right away. If not, I recommend using a vari-flo valve. These
do not require as much force to actuate and I have had great success using these
with slow to learn rabbits. Eventually I can place them on a standard
valve.
