Seeking help with understanding compression fittings
Hi everyone... I am trying to build a gravity fed watering system for my ducks. I want to have a 5 gallon jug up top, and quarter inch tubing running down into the coop area. I have a float valve, and tubing, and brass compression fittings. Everything is a quarter inch, and everything is fitting together really nicely.
However, I have no idea what part I am supposed to get that connects the compression fitting to the upper jug. There has to be a part that goes inside the jug, has a washer of some kind, and pokes through the jug, so that the compression fitting can screw onto it. Otherwise there is nothing to hold that piece to the jug. Reference Image
I have never built anything like this and I am trying really hard. I've gone to three separate hardware stores to just kind of look at all the pieces, but it is so disorganized and all the tiny shelves just seem to contain random parts that don't match the label. There are acronyms I don't know and can't find any forums for this specific project. All the animal waterers that are online require a hose or electricity and I have neither of those, hence needing it to be gravity fed.
I am starting to get really really discouraged :( I don't even know what question I am supposed to be asking. I just want to connect the tubing into a 5 gallon jug without it leaking out, but right now I just have a compression fitting stuck into a hole in a jug and nothing keeping it in place and all the water leaks out the side. Apologies if this is the wrong section to post this.. Thank you in advance if you have any advice.
Use silicone to create a seal. Make sure to get it around the hole and threads. Then use a nut and washer on the inside to mechanically keep it in place. Wait 24 to 72 hours before you add water. I have used similar set ups in the past for high vacuum and high pressure systems.
Thank you :) I think I have two options now to try.
Hey, have you found a workable solution?
If so I’d love to see a picture.
I’ve had to solve this exact challenge a few times in different circumstances, and I’ve seen it solved in many different ways!
Also i think the advice given for a specific fitting (though now deleted) and the advice to use a sealant in conjunction with an internal fastener are both functional solutions.
I just got the parts in the mail this morning! Going to try a second build after work today with some modifications from the first attempt.. I am optimistic. I'll post a picture once it's working :)
Looking forward to it! Best of luck
I posted a comment below with an update. I definitely am considering this one a prototype.. now that I understand all the pieces I think I can make a nicer one. But I'm glad it actually works! They won't be able to jump into this water but will probably still find a way to turn it into mud. Hopefully much slower at least...
Just a heads up that a really great way to make progress on this kind of thing is to find an old (usually dude) person who looks like they're smoking a hand rolled cigarette even if they're not, and ask them. They might be running a small hardware shop, or working in one, or they might just be near the plumbing fittings getting stuff for themselves. In my experience older tradies or experienced diyers love nothing more than sharing their knowledge and helping solve a problem. Going to specialist shops is usually better than the big box stores,if you can.
This is absolutely good advice. Ace hardware really is the place with the helpful hardware folks.
You're likely looking for something called a "bulkhead fitting". They are designed to be water-tight passthroughs. I used them we creating reef aquarium sumps out of plastic containers. They come as two parts plus gaskets for both sides. You drill a hole large enough for the fitting, attach the gasket, slide one parts through, put the other gasket in the inside, then tighten down the nut. They work great in my experience. You'd want to find one with an inner thread that matches your compression fitting end.
Update: It works :)
I ended up getting the silicon "make your own gasket" tube, and ordered the correct sized brass fittings from amazon. Everything I ordered is for 1/4" OD tubing. I think I need better pliers to tighten them, there is still the tiniest leak/drip from the upper container.
Upper container
Lower container float valve working
Trying to teach them
Understanding???
No... they still don't get it
Sad
The previous container after only half a day
Ketchup and Bitty checking on me
Thank you for the update, i really enjoyed the bonus pictures too! They’re adorable
The couple of suggestions offered already here both sound like they'd work fine, IMO.
I'm sure your ducks will love it! :)
Thank you!!!
I think you are correct, the jug is the wrong choice. Flat wall and ability to reach inside seems important here.... A friend suggested I might need something called a "bulkhead" so going to research that next.