Need help with waterer - pvc pipe/hose, valve, nipples, bucket

[seann]

Due to small size of coop, I can't just drop a 5-gal bucket with 4 nipples on bottom.
I attempted same bucket with pvc pipes but failed miserably due to leaks on the bottom of bucket (maybe I didn't drill correctly).
Can someone help me a little bit?

Idea is to have a 5-gal bucket (with lid) -- (at lower side near bottom or bottom itself) --> adapter --> valve (optional) --> pvc pipe or flexible hose --> another adapter --> pvc pipe with 2-4 nipples --> pvc pipe cap
or something similar

I read somewhere here but I lost it. I'll keep looking and will ask Home Depot in the mean time.

Thanks for any help!

 

[jenniemig]

Here is the one I made. The bucket will sit outside the coop to conserve space and be easy to fill.

 

[seann]

That looks great. Do you mind listing the materials?
I see the bucket is from home depot, so I assume all can be bought there?

 

[jenniemig]

That looks great. Do you mind listing the materials?
I see the bucket is from home depot, so I assume all can be bought there?

I bought everything except the chicken nipples from Home Depot. The nipples are from Ebay, they were $6 for 10.

Bucket $2.60
Screw top lid $6.97 (which will make filling easier)
1" X 2' PVC $1.80
1" X 3/4" PVC male adapter $0.96
1" PVC Cap $0.66
6' Leader Hose $7.47
3/4" Bulkhead Union $11.77 (there were cheaper options for this part, but in my opinion this is the best way to go.

This is the list from my receipt. Now that I am looking at it there is one piece that they didn't charge me for. I don't know what it is called, I think it is the threaded piece that joins the bulkhead union to the leader hose. When I was in the store I picked up the bucket, leader hose, and PVC pipe first, then had the plumbing guy in the store help me find all of the connections that I needed. I assembled it while I was still in the isle to make sure that I had everything before I left the store. It drives me crazy having to go back when I forget one piece of something! To assemble it I drilled a 1 1/4 inch hole in the side of the bucket, about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom. I went through the side so that the bucket could sit on a shelf rather than being hung. Everything that is threaded I used thread tape for, the PVC connections were the only thing glued. I gave it a trial run and it didn't leak at all.

Hope this helps

 

[seann]

Thanks for this. I got all and assembled the bucket and leader hose with no leaks.
Unfortunately I can't seem to figure out how to install the nipples properly as they leak.
The nipple comes with a washer and I added teflon tape.
I drilled using 11/32 (8,73mm) bit but the nipple doesn't fit so I had to wiggle while drilling until it does.

Any suggestions?

 

[jenniemig]

I used 5200 which is a marine sealant. You could try silicone.

 

[BatonRougeChick]

Here is the one I made. The bucket will sit outside the coop to conserve space and be easy to fill.

Mine looks just like this and I bought it fully assembled on ebay. Love it! Clean water all the time.

 

[fuddy]

I had the same issue with leaky poultry nipple until I added/replaced original plastic O-ring with nitrile O-ring from harbor freight. For those who experienced cracking plastic when drilling holes for the nipple, use a soldering iron. It made the perfect hole for the nipple.

Hope this helps.

 

[seann]

I bought some pvc fittings (eBay) for this and there is no more leak. Costed more than planned but I'm happy.
Thanks Jennie for your help.

 

[jenniemig]

I bought some pvc fittings (eBay) for this and there is no more leak. Costed more than planned but I'm happy.
Thanks Jennie for your help.

Can you post a picture of the fittings you added?