Push-in nipple waterer - first attempt didn't work, now what??

[BlazeJester]

So I bought 5 push-in nipple waterers, drilled the holes in a juice bottle, and was on my merry way making a 2-nipple waterer for my chicks. One of the holes didn't bore as well and leaked from behind the plug. I cut open the bottle and took them out, but now I have the nipples stuck in the black rubber plugs.

My question - when I drill into PVC pipe next time, can I just push in this whole apparatus that is already stuck together? I think my chances of getting the plugs off undamaged are pretty slim. I used *that kind* of lube and it worked great, but it's very slippery and I've had a darn hard time trying to get the plugs off the nipples.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Edited for clarity.

 

[galanie]

If by *that kind* of lube you mean a water soluble kind, then that might be the cause of the leaking. But I'm not really too familiar with the push in kind. The kind I use screw into the hole. Now that I think, *that kind* of lube might be appropriate. I jest. Hope I don't get a warning for that.

Anyhow the thinner plastics like juice bottles are notorious for not working really well with nipples. As for putting water nipples in PVC pipe, many use a silicone sealer to help keep them from leaking. Yes, none of this answers your question but hopefully it will help you some when you use them the next time.

 

[Dukeofhawg]

I have never had any problems with the screw in type. I also use plastic bottle. I drill a hole in the cap and a hole in the bottom o the bottle. The nipple goes in the hard plastic cap and I put a bolt through the bottom and hand the bottle. I'll illustrate with a couple of pictures



That last shot was a grituitus showing of my new mother cluckers

 

[galanie]

I should do that for myself. Before the bottle is empty. Just kidding!

I've never had a problem with the screw in ones either. Putting them in the cap is a great idea if you still do have the cap. I used a vinegar bottle that didn't though so I put it in the bottom and it still worked great. The thought that thinner bottles don't do as well is mainly from reading the directions that come with the nipples.

 

[Dukeofhawg]

Galanie, LOLOLOL I had the arduous task of making sure the Gin was gone before I used it for the mother cluckers... I'm self sacrificing.... LOL

@ Blaze.... Remember you always have to have a hole i the top of the bottle or the nipple won't flow... just creates a vacuum

 

[bnjrob]

I bored my holes slighly smaller than the 11/32 that everyone recommends. When hubby and I were looking at the size of the drill bit compared to the size of the o-rings...that size drill bit looks to be ok for the screw-in nipples we got but not for the push-ins. A slightly smaller hole size lets the o-ring fill the space better to prevent leaking.

I don't see why you can't push the whole ensemble in at one time instead of putting the o-rings in separately. It might be a little more difficult in the rigid plastic of pvc pipe but you don't have anything to lose.

 

[ojoe]

1 have 4 five gal buckets w/push in nipples never a problem w/a leak. i alwayes use dish detergent for lub. if you want to re use your old ones just pull off the rubber o rings and re use them, no problem. good luck joe

 

[nikki1]

I like it! When the bottle starts getting full of algae, just chuck it, and use a new one! I have the heart of a scavenger...

Cute chicks, by the way. They're at the stage where they remind me of the 11 year old kids I teach at school. All gangly and silly, but you know
they'll be gorgeous soon.

--Nikki