*Edited* Review of Flat Back water bottles

[Phalaeo]

EDIT-
(Ok, I've straightened it out.  I won't even tell you what I was doing wrong, because I'm so embarrassed.  I was thinking that there could not be something so wrong with a product that so many people use.  I take it all back, I swear!  I've never done a product review before, so I'm glad that I posted, if even to have all of you guys straighten me out.  )



ORIGINAL POST-
If I can be blunt-

These bottles suck. 

I tried to attach one to the cage tonight, and the idea is that you secure the holder in with a nut and the bottle slides right in.  Well, it slid right in and then right though.  I cannot get the bottle to stay in the holder!  I finally just secured the thing by taking a cable tie and wrapping it around the bottom where the water goes in and fastening that to the cage.  Works great- until you need to change the water.  Then you need a new cable tie.

So.. unless there is some great trick in getting these bottles to stayin the holders, they get two thumbs down.

[ratlets]

Edit:

Are you talking about these: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777021?  The ones with the little floating duckies?

There should be some tabs on the side of the bottle that hold it into place on the holder.  I've got two 8oz ones side-to-side, and I've noticed sometimes I've got to push the bottle into the holder to secure both tabs on the bottle.

I hope that makes sense, and I hope this helps!

-jd

[inod3]

Are you placing the bottle inside the cage?

[susschen22]

I have yet to have a problem with it and personally I love that my little chew monsters can't get to the bottle...hopefully you figure it out because I personally LOVE them and own a few of them.

[Kimmiekins]

We've got 4 - two of the 32 oz and 2 of 8 oz for travel cages. Never had much of a problem with them, myself. I LOVE that you secure the holder and then take the water bottle off as needed.

I do have to push the clips/tabs a bit out while sliding the bottle in... But I've never had it slide through. It usually clicks when the holder is secure around the bottle.

Hope you get them to work... We think they're fantastic.

[Suebee]

I have three of them, and I have no problems with them at all.

[DolciLady]

I just use the cheap-o Walmart bottles and throw away the wire hangers.  I use elastic ponytail holders to secure my bottles to the outside of my 8 cages.  I've looked at the fancier bottles with the nuts and bolts and flip tops.  Besides the rediculous price tag, the fancier the contraption...the more stuff can go wrong. 

But if I had to buy a fancy bottle, the flatbacks have the best rep.  Sounds like you got a lemon and I'd take it back.

I feel ya, nothing more I hate than products that don't work properly. 

Robin

[amymckee]

I don't have problems with them staying in. I just don't like them because I have to mount them so high, and I con only do that on the bottom floor where there isn't a shelf. My boys figured out the water buddy, so I use that with a small regular bottle for my stubborn old lady Stella. (who won't use a water buddy)

[ilovedorks313]

I have a Lixit Flat back and I like it alright.  I liked it better before the latch used to keep it in place snapped off.  But even without that it rests in the holder nicely... it just falls off when the boys' fighting gets too rough now.

[mandycoot]

I looove the Lixit flat back ones! Try those out if you hate the other brand. The holder is great--you just insert a peg on the back of the bottle into the holder and just latch it into place.

[tb712]

I have two as well.  They are a little bit tricky to get a hang of, but once you've got it down, they're pretty cool, I think!  As ratlets had said, there are two little tabs that stick out and sort of "hang" onto the white holder.  Anyway, good luck!

[aphoeniceus]

I had always had problems with mine leaking (I had 2) so I wont use them anymore.  But, the last time I bought one, was probably over 10 years ago, so maybe I should give it another try? 

[Phalaeo]

Hmm...
I'm pretty sure that I'm using it correctly- It jsut seems as though the "grooves" or "tabs" intended to snap the bottle into the holder are not tight enough.  It slided up and down the entire length of the bottle without clicking.  Maybe I did get a lemon- don't have the receipt, though-  Lemme work with it- if not, I'll try another brand

[ratlets]

EDIT-
(Ok, I've straightened it out.  I won't even tell you what I was doing wrong, because I'm so embarrassed.  I was thinking that there could not be something so wrong with a product that so many people use.  I take it all back, I swear!  I've never done a product review before, so I'm glad that I posted, if even to have all of you guys straighten me out.  )

I'm glad you got it all worked out! And no worries, I bet we've all done the same thing