Pressure Regulator for FB racks?

I was just wondering if anyone has used this and whether or not it was worthwhile. I'm assuming installing one would eliminate the need for me lifting a 5 gallon bucket of water up above my head and having to worry about whether or not the reservoir is empty. I do have a utility sink with an extra faucet that I could hook it to, and it's right next to the rodent rack.

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I personally don't know about the pressure regulators, but you can get a float valve at a local aquarium supply store or probably like a Tractor supply. Place it in your reservoir attached to a hose that connects to your faucet and it will shut off when your reservoir is full. If it is a 5 gallon bucket it would look something like the attached picture. Should be quite a bit cheaper also.

Thanks Bill. I had thought of that and am familiar with the float valves (used to use them on fish vats and tanks). I've seen a few of them hang up though and start a flood. Also, I was hoping to have something a little smaller in diameter than a garden hose running to the rack, and ditch the bucket (just like the one you pictured) for good.

The regulator is about $55 on FB's website (here). I think those float valves cost about $22 at the farm store here, and for the convenience, I'd be willing to pony up the extra $30. That is... unless people have tried them and didn't like it.

If you have a drinking valve get stuck you're still going to have a serious flood.
I've had valves get stuck on a few occasions and fill a given tray with water. If it's hooked to a constant source it's going to flood until you catch it.
Personally I would just hook a hose to the extra faucet and use it to fill the buckets. Then you don't have to lift the buckets, and you have a finite amount of water in the system.
I use semi-clear 3 gallon buckets though and can see how much water is in them without taking them down.

Originally Posted by Clay Davenport

I use semi-clear 3 gallon buckets though and can see how much water is in them without taking them down.

Clay, where did you find the semi-clear buckets at?

At Lowe's in the paint section. They are usually tinted in a color, pink or blue or what have you, but you can still see through them.
They do not come with lids though, but there are other lids there with them that will fit the buckets, just not lock into place. I use those as a dust cover to keep bugs and debris from settling into the buckets.

Originally Posted by Clay Davenport

If you have a drinking valve get stuck you're still going to have a serious flood.
I've had valves get stuck on a few occasions and fill a given tray with water. If it's hooked to a constant source it's going to flood until you catch it.
Personally I would just hook a hose to the extra faucet and use it to fill the buckets. Then you don't have to lift the buckets, and you have a finite amount of water in the system.
I use semi-clear 3 gallon buckets though and can see how much water is in them without taking them down.

Very good points, Clay. Thanks. I think I'll try the clear(ish) bucket & hose method first. We don't have a Lowe's w/in 50 miles of here, but I'm thinking one of those huge jugs for the water-coolers would work well--especially since the opening at the top would be easy to cover.

Originally Posted by PaulSage

I'm thinking one of those huge jugs for the water-coolers would work well--especially since the opening at the top would be easy to cover.

Very good idea!! I have a couple of these I just might have to try!!

How do you hook the watering system to the supply bucket?
If you use the tank connectors that I use, where you drill an 11/16" hole in the bucket, then you won't be able to get the nut on the back of the valve using one of the water jugs since the nut goes inside the bucket.

Wal-mart might have the same type buckets. They're just a cheap bucket to use with painting. I think they run 4 or 5 dollars.
You can also construct a sight tube using poly tubing for use with the reguar white 5 gallon buckets, but it would probably just be easier to make the trip to lowes rather than put that effort into a sight tube.

Originally Posted by Clay Davenport

How do you hook the watering system to the supply bucket?

lol Good question. I'll have to mess around with one and see what I come up with. I'm sure there must be a way!