My PVC "True Auto" Waterer

[Lelilamom]

I've got PVC nipple waterers with the thicker PVC. Some of the nipples are screwed into the PVC cap if they are an upright version, which is really thick.

It should work with Sch 40 PVC. Make sure you use a wide enough diameter PVC tubing that the threaded part of the nipple waterer has room to fit inside w/o rubbing; at least 3/4 inch? 1 inch?
And make sure you use the exact drill bit size they recommend. Then, you could put some plumber's tape on the part you screw in, along with silicone caulking right over the top. Or, just the silicone caulking, but either way, smear the silicone caulking generously over the threads of the nipple waterer.

Then screw in firmly. Let this dry overnight.

I hope this works!

The first one of these I built, I made with 3/4 inch schedule 40 pvc. The nipples went in with difficulty despite using the correct drill bit, and they leaked. We sealed them with silicone and they don't leak anymore - but your suggestion of going to a bigger pipe I think is the key if we use schedule 40 pvc. I have to build another one of these and I'm going to 1 or 1.5 inch pipe for the nipples and if I can find it, I'll make the tank out of 6 inch.

 

[jrtmouse]

I've purchased the nipples but that's as far as I am right now. LOL. I'm okay with trying the 1 inch Sch 40 PVC with the nipples. It's really the tank that's giving me issue. I can find a 2 ft length of 4 inch Sch 40 online via TrueValue for $10. I might just have to order that and hope for the best when it comes to slipping in the valve, hoping it fits.

Thanks everyone for your tips and tricks! I really need to get this thing built. I really have a hard time remembering to water my girls. As much as I'd like to just buy that "other fountain", I'm not keen on spending $100 to get said fountain...made from PVC.

 

[Lelilamom]

I've purchased the nipples but that's as far as I am right now. LOL. I'm okay with trying the 1 inch Sch 40 PVC with the nipples. It's really the tank that's giving me issue. I can find a 2 ft length of 4 inch Sch 40 online via TrueValue for $10. I might just have to order that and hope for the best when it comes to slipping in the valve, hoping it fits.

Thanks everyone for your tips and tricks! I really need to get this thing built. I really have a hard time remembering to water my girls. As much as I'd like to just buy that "other fountain", I'm not keen on spending $100 to get said fountain...made from PVC.

Go to HD or Lowes. They have 4 inch pipe. As them if they'll cut it for you. If they won't, go to a more local hardware store - they most likely will cut it to length. All you need is a foot of it.

All told I spent less than 50 bucks on this from start to finish.

 

[MD9NYC]

Thanks so much for posting this. I just moved to the suburbs and am I the middle of building my first coop. I almost have all of the parts to complete this waterer. I just need to find some 6" pvc. Those of you looking for 6" caps, try the drainage department at your local stone/gravel supply. I picked mine up there yesterday. They are also flat, as opposed to the domed ones they had at Lowes.

 

[LosPollosLopez]

fantastic idea. I think it will work perfectly for my set up. Great directions too.

 

[cturbow]

Great watering system! One quick question. Do you have any idea what pressure your garden hose is running on? Are there any said issues with the toilet valve handling the pressure?
THANK YOU!

 

[Animator]

Thank you VERY much for the detailed post. Here are a couple of pictures of my system, obviously adapted to fit my chicken tractor. In the exterior picture, the water tank is on the right and I'm able to keep about 2 weeks or so of food in the one on the left (PVC was sold in 2' pieces so I used both halves). It hasn't been through a winter yet and I'm still figuring out if/how I'll heat the water between the house and the tank. It's a high class problem for now because I'll be home during the winter.

The door is on a motor, battery and timer and works great as well. I designed that system around the cheapest, reliable motor I felt comfortable buying and it's run great for about 4 months now.

Only 5 birds so plenty of space, water and food even if I'm not home to let them roam the property; 1 White Leghorn (h), 1 Buckeye (h), 1 Buff Brahma (h), 1 Ameraucana (h), 1 Barnevelder (r).

 

[Animator]

Great watering system! One quick question. Do you have any idea what pressure your garden hose is running on? Are there any said issues with the toilet valve handling the pressure?
THANK YOU!

The toilet valve manages the pressure. I leave mine wide open from the spigot and have tested it (and just flushed the system) using a drain valve on the end of the system. No issues at all.

 

[admorris]

I am assuming the hose is attached to your water spicket? If so is it on a timer?

 

[Animator]

I am assuming the hose is attached to your water spicket? If so is it on a timer?

Correct, just directly attached and left on, wide open. The toilet valve manages the pressure, fills the tank as necessary (just like your toilet) and turns off when the tank is full. The water nipples are just gravity fed from the tank. No need for any timer as the toilet valve fills when they've had enough to drink that the bulb in the tank drops. If you open the lid on the back of your toilet and flush, you'll see a little easier how the system works. Older systems were on a long bar/bulb but the newer design is just a vertical float, as was shown in the original posts.

Honestly, I think the beauty of this system is the toilet valve...the rest of it is just built around that system.