Watering system with 55 gallon rain water barrels

[Kroeges]

Hi, everyone, I am just finishing up my coop. The electricity went in this weekend. The water system is next. I am using a 55 g system as well, and you all have increased my learning curve. Thanks. Steve K

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Using a 275 gal tote myself, filled from rainwater off the barn. Actually, two 275 gal totes now, as I added a second. The totes have their own shut off, I used a 2" rubber connector like you would use to join old metal or clay pipes, with grabs a piece of 2" PVC. That goes to a "X", oriented vertically. The top has a short pipe "open to daylight" - that's my overflow, the top of which determining the maximum amount of water in the tote. The "front" of the 2" X is plugged with a threaded plug, into which I screwed a 3/4" hose bib. The bottom goes to ground, where its capped and buried in the soil to provide some support for the PVC structure.

Near the ground, I have a reducing "T" 2" x 2" x 3/4". On the 3/4" leg, I ran out a length of PVC, to which I attached my spring loaded horizontal poultry nipples. The end has a screw on cap, so if I ever need to purge the line of debris, etc, I just unscrew it and let it flow out. Well, currently, I have an automatic dog watering bowl attached with a male NPT to Male Hose thread adapter fitting, but you get the idea.

(My ducks can't use the horizontal cups - not deep enough for them to clean their bills)