trouble with sealing horizontal nipple to pvc pipe

[jcinadr]

I have been using horizontal nipples for about 6 months and have been extremely happy with them. My fist waterer had them screwed into a 5 gallon bucket - no problems. Second into a 1/2 gallon jug, no problems. Last few weeks I have been building a pvc system for my brooder - and I just can not get the nipples to seal to the pvc. I have tried different sized holes, different thickness pipe - no luck. Last night I brought the newest pvc waterer inside and filled the pipe with water from the sink. Even at no pressure, the water would just drip right on out from the joint between the nipple and the pvc.

Any sealing suggestions - plumbers tape? silicone? Different type of pipe?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I had the same trouble. I was told that the pipe might be too hard. I wonder if one would use pvc cleaner on the hole to soften it before screwing the nipple into it. The treads are tapered such that I don't think Teflon tape would help much. Other suggestions:
Pipe dope could work.
Use a 1/8 inch or so tap after drilling.
I use 1/2 - 1/2 - 1/8, SLP,SLP,FPT fittings and they work good.
http://agselect.com/fitting-pvc-adapter-tee-1-2-slip-x-1-2-slip-x-1-8-fpt-sch40-pvc.aspx
I've found them cheaper than that but they are rare.

ETA
Here it is, just found it for 0.69
http://www.modularhose.com/pvc/Reducing-Tees

 

[iwiw60]

It's also a possibility that the "curve" of the PVC pipe is too steep (make sense?) and the outer edges are sealing incorrectly. Maybe try a slightly large diameter pipe? I dunno...just thinkin' .. always a dangerous thing with me!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's also a possibility that the "curve" of the PVC pipe is too steep (make sense?) and the outer edges are sealing incorrectly. Maybe try a slightly large diameter pipe? I dunno...just thinkin' .. always a dangerous thing with me!!

X2, I'm thinking that was my trouble. Just couldn't get it to take hold in 1/2" pipe.

 

[iwiw60]

X2, I'm thinking that was my trouble. Just couldn't get it to take hold in 1/2" pipe.

Half-inch??? Yikes! Yes, that's way too small I fear!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No wonder it wouldn't work. I was shooting for low cost but I guess I blew that when I used reducing tees rather than just screw into the pipe. What is the smallest diameter others have used for drilling into the pipe?
Building PVC manifolds either way would work to make sure the horizontal nipples stay horizontal.
I wanted smaller holes in coop walls. However if I build a recirculation heated water system for winter, the bigger pipe may be better.

 

[iwiw60]

I would think 1-inch PVC would be the bare minimum...

 

[farmgirl7]

I'm using 1/2" PVC that has two nipples outside, then passes through the wall and goes along the wall with two nipples inside (I have 6 chickens). They all worked great except for one inside nipple that leaked. We thought there might be something wrong with the nipple, so we changed it out....still leaked. So we used pipe putty and that sealed it up. We also had to use it where the pipe entered the water container, which is a 2 gallon cooler. I was afraid the chickens would get curious and peck at the putty, but all they are interested in is the water.

 

[jcinadr]

I punted. Picked up a stick of 1/2" PVC, a bunch of T's, a bunch of plugs, and some othe odd and ends. Finding a 1/8" npt tap was a bear, but Harbor freight had several sets that included one. So drilled and tapped the plugs, glued the. Into the T's and basically made the T's in the post above. Then used tape to install the nipples. There might still be a little leakage-but I would be hard pressed to find it. Success.

For what it's worth - this system has 13 nipples through my brooder and 2 grow out pens. I currently have about 75 birds in it, but will probably max it out with over 100 before shutting it down for the season. I have room to add a few more nipples if it looks like they are needed.

 

[misskris10]

What kind of nipples are yall using? Does anyone have a link to where i could get some? We are thinking of making a watering system like this, but not sure what nipples to use..