PVC for water tank

[Blueskat]

Hello, I have ordered 5 water cups and I am going to put them in my coop for 22 chickens. I see most gravity feed systems use a 5 gal bucket for the tank. I was thinking I could use 4 inch PVC drain pipe. A 10 ft pipe will hold approx 6 gals. If I used 3 pieces of pipe that would me almost 20 gal capacity That would be more that I would ever need. A tee or elbow at the top to fill and all dropping to the bottom pipe and we are done and would last a lifetime. Any thoughts good or bad with my idea?
Thanks Todd

 

[Lance]

I like your idea for lots of gallons, so you planning on fulling with a hose or rain?

 

[Blueskat]

This is Texas I am not sure of this rain you speak of. Hose would be best I think. I am on a well so I do not have any unwanted additives in the water and I do not pay for it.
Thanks

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Pipe would work, especially if you already have it or can get it free
I think a barrel would be cheaper if you plan to buy the pipe, and you'd need fewer fittings.

You can get a 30 gallon trash can cheaper than 30 ft of 4" PVC and all the needed fittings

 

[Chris09]

Pipe would work, especially if you already have it or can get it free
I think a barrel would be cheaper if you plan to buy the pipe, and you'd need fewer fittings.

You can get a 30 gallon trash can cheaper than 30 ft of 4" PVC and all the needed fittings

I was thinking of the same thing.
You can spend $30.00 and get a 31 gallon galvanized or 32 gallon plastic trash or you could spend around $80.00 and get a galvanized stock tank that holds 100 gallon.

Chris

 

[PsychoChickens]

I'd say use whatever you all ready have and or can get for free or afford.
Making your space, area and conditions to decide among the ideas you and others mentioned.

I was thinking of mounting the cups using the saddle mount that glue onto 1/2" pvc then using heat tape on the pvc run to help prevent freezing in most cooler weather.

Good Luck!

 

[Lance]

Check my profile for my pics of my water system.

 

[dgh]

Hello, I know this is an old thread, but I am planning to run pvc from my 275 gal tank and instal horizontal nipples and run heat tape on the whole thing. I live in NE. did you do this and how did it work. D

 

[Blueskat]

LOL NO I am in Texas. I need ice not heat. The reason I used vertical pipe is so if one nipple stuck open it only drains 1 pipe not the whole system. Mine holds almost 20 gal. so that is enough for my flock for a couple weeks. (they free range in the daytime) Goodluck and let me knoif I an help.

 

[JCW73]

I had it in my mind to build a water system just like what you described in your original post. I knew if I looked here long enough, someone would have tried it lol. My coop is elevated above part of my run. My thought was to use about 20' of 4" PVC under the floor of the coop, where it is shaded, to hold the water since I don't have space for a bucket of any kind where the coop is placed. I live in the desert in So. California so the climate is similar to you, do you have an issue with the water getting too warm in the summer before they can drink it ?