Edstrom Automatic Water System?

[trinityoaks]

Do any of you have one of these? What do you think of it?

Do you have the pressure regulator or the bucket tank? If you use the bucket tank, how many rabbits per bucket?

Which valves (standard or vari-flo) do you have? If the standard, are your weanlings able to figure them out and strong enough to operate them?

Where did you purchase your system?<br /><br />__________ Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:12 pm __________<br /><br />Anyone?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Sorry- bought mine from BASS.

 

[trinityoaks]

But you have one? What do you think of it?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I believe Edstrom uses flexible tubing? I would be concerned that they would chew through the tubes, so if you go that route, be sure to offset it from the cages so they can't get to it.

Mine is plumbed with pvc pipe, and it uses a bucket with a float valve. I love the system! My growout cages don't have an automated system (yet!) and I "waste" a lot of time filling waterers.

I do have some valves that leak, and Hubs never hooked up the heat wire (he accidentally cut through it when he messed up a section of pvc and forgot the wire was inside, so he spliced it and coated it to waterproof it, but was still nervous that the bunnies would get zapped) so we had some pipes burst this winter, but other than that we have had no problems with the system. We are going to redo the whole thing before winter hits, so that wont happen again. I read a study that said that valves placed at 8" above the floor caused the rabbits to consume the most water compared to other placements, so we are going to install more valves at that height, and also keep valves closer to floor level for the kits.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I am definitely going to be putting in an auto water system at my new barn. It takes SO much time to manually fill all those bottles...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

You will love it, OAF! Be sure to either get a heat wire or a recirculating pump for winter. When our pipes burst it took forever watering the bunnies, and since it was sub-zero out (well, not really- but it was dang cold!) it had to be done multiple times a day, which was no fun at all!

 

[trinityoaks]

I believe Edstrom uses flexible tubing? I would be concerned that they would chew through the tubes, so if you go that route, be sure to offset it from the cages so they can't get to it.

The kit I'm looking at has two tubing offsets per cage, so hopefully that will eliminate any chewing. I'm thinking of going with the bucket and float valve so that I can add ACV to their water.

I do have some valves that leak,

Do you have the standard valves or the vari-flo valves? I'm concerned that my rabbits would have a hard time with the standard valves, if they're anything like the spring-loaded valve that comes with the Bass water bottles now. I would be especially concerned about kits not being able to operate them.

Be sure to either get a heat wire or a recirculating pump for winter.

OAF and I both live in areas where the temps rarely get below freezing, and even then, only for an hour or so. I would hope that we wouldn't need to worry about the water freezing in the tubing.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I think mine are standard valves- I see no way to adjust them. My kits don't have any trouble with them. I looked at the BASS site just now but couldn't tell what kind of valves are on their bottles.

This is the description from BASS:

This drip-proof valve does not depend on water pressure for stem seating. It is spring loaded and will not drip at zero water pressure. Now with a stainless steel stem for longer life. Each component is machined to strict tolerances for trouble-free operation. Neoprene O-ring seal assures positive drip control. Unique retainer plug allows easy disassembly for cleaning. Standard 1/8" NPT body thread for installation directly into galvanized pipe or use with our No. PPS PVC Pipe Saddles or our No. PPT Pipe Saddle Tee for " PVC pipe. Complete guarantee if not 100% satisfied.
No. DD - $ 3.25

I wanted to take my leaky ones apart to clean them (Grumpy said that they might have debris causing them to leak), but the "unique retainer plug" is a soft plastic, and I couldn't figure out how to remove it without mangling it. I think I will give BASS a call since I am not 100% satisfied!

You guys are lucky not to get freezing weather. I like the snow, but sometimes it gets a little old when you need to take a baseball bat to the ice on the horse trough so they can drink! You might want a couple of leaky valves yourself to keep the water flowing when you do get those cold snaps! It worked to my advantage this winter. :lol:

Actually, you should have a spigot so you can drain the system if necessary- you could allow a slow leak from that if you get a freeze.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I believe Edstrom uses flexible tubing? I would be concerned that they would chew through the tubes, so if you go that route, be sure to offset it from the cages so they can't get to it.

The kit I'm looking at has two tubing offsets per cage, so hopefully that will eliminate any chewing. I'm thinking of going with the bucket and float valve so that I can add ACV to their water.

I do have some valves that leak,

Do you have the standard valves or the vari-flo valves? I'm concerned that my rabbits would have a hard time with the standard valves, if they're anything like the spring-loaded valve that comes with the Bass water bottles now. I would be especially concerned about kits not being able to operate them.

Be sure to either get a heat wire or a recirculating pump for winter.

OAF and I both live in areas where the temps rarely get below freezing, and even then, only for an hour or so. I would hope that we wouldn't need to worry about the water freezing in the tubing.

My understanding is that Variflo valves work better for mice, etc...

 

[trinityoaks]

This drip-proof valve does not depend on water pressure for stem seating. It is spring loaded and will not drip at zero water pressure.

Sounds awfully similar to the description of the bottle valves my buns had trouble with:

This kit allows you to use a 2 liter bottle with the new no-drip valve. Revolutionary spring action valve replaces ordinary ball tube for leak free operation.

You guys are lucky not to get freezing weather. I like the snow, but sometimes it gets a little old when you need to take a baseball bat to the ice on the horse trough so they can drink!

My oldest son used to work on a horse ranch, and had to bust ice MANY winter mornings for the horses! When we lived up there, we had our buns in the garage, which never got below about 40F, even when outside temps hovered around 0F.

Actually, you should have a spigot so you can drain the system if necessary- you could allow a slow leak from that if you get a freeze.

Not a bad idea. The kit I'm looking at (http://www.bunnyrabbit.com) includes a drain valve, which Bass doesn't seem to carry, for some reason.<br /><br />__________ Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:18 am __________<br /><br />

My understanding is that Variflo valves work better for mice, etc...

That's what I'm reading, but I'm hoping to get to actually look at both valves and compare them before I place an order. I need to pay a visit to Bryant's today, and I'm hoping they carry them, although I'll have to wait to buy the system until later this month.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

This drip-proof valve does not depend on water pressure for stem seating. It is spring loaded and will not drip at zero water pressure.

Sounds awfully similar to the description of the bottle valves my buns had trouble with:

This kit allows you to use a 2 liter bottle with the new no-drip valve. Revolutionary spring action valve replaces ordinary ball tube for leak free operation.

You guys are lucky not to get freezing weather. I like the snow, but sometimes it gets a little old when you need to take a baseball bat to the ice on the horse trough so they can drink!

My oldest son used to work on a horse ranch, and had to bust ice MANY winter mornings for the horses! When we lived up there, we had our buns in the garage, which never got below about 40F, even when outside temps hovered around 0F.

Actually, you should have a spigot so you can drain the system if necessary- you could allow a slow leak from that if you get a freeze.

Not a bad idea. The kit I'm looking at (http://www.bunnyrabbit.com) includes a drain valve, which Bass doesn't seem to carry, for some reason.

__________ Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:18 am __________

My understanding is that Variflo valves work better for mice, etc...

That's what I'm reading, but I'm hoping to get to actually look at both valves and compare them before I place an order. I need to pay a visit to Bryant's today, and I'm hoping they carry them, although I'll have to wait to buy the system until later this month.

Yeah, you will likely have to get them to order it for you...they had someone come in like a week ago and clean them out of auto water supplies! lol

 

[trinityoaks]

Yeah, you will likely have to get them to order it for you...they had someone come in like a week ago and clean them out of auto water supplies! lol

Hmmmmm. . . that "someone" wouldn't happen to be YOU, would it? :lol:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Yeah, you will likely have to get them to order it for you...they had someone come in like a week ago and clean them out of auto water supplies! lol

Hmmmmm. . . that "someone" wouldn't happen to be YOU, would it? :lol:

That OAF! See how she is!?!

 

[3mina]

I was looking at using a heat tape and pipe insulation in the barn this winter since we get, um, severe winter up here. We regularly get -40 and winter starts around October/November if we're lucky