Best Float Valve Tire Tank Options
No matter what your tank, water source, herd size, or climate look like, Best Float Valve can help you set up the right system for you.
Today, we are looking at tire tanks. We also have concrete, steel, fiberglass or poly tank suggestions.
We never recommend hooking our valves to PEX or PVC pipes because of the torque the lever can apply to the pipe. They are also more easily broken by livestock. Instead, transition from PEX or PVC under the concrete to a stainless steel or brass pipe nipple that extends into the tank to the float valve. Do not use galvanized pipe nipples because they can corrode rather quickly due to chemical reactions with the concrete.
We recommend that the pipe nipple extend approximately 3" from the top of the concrete for valves with a straight arm and approximately 5" for valves with a bent arm. If your pipe comes up higher (less than 6" from the top of the water), any of our float valve kits can come with a bent arm. This will allow the valve to be as low as possible in the water and still permit the valve to open fully.
The standard level for an overflow pipe is 1-2" from the top of the tank, or full if the wind won't bother it. A drain pipe is not absolutely necessary, but if it is convenient, go ahead and put one on in. It will be easier to clean the tank and you won't have to siphon or pump it out.
We have multiple Float Valve Kits in regular and high volume options. For installation, the float should be set to be 2/3 underwater in high pressure. We have barrel floats and pan floats. Our barrel floats will handle up to 90 psi, and our pan floats will take up to 165 psi. The pan floats also offer top-water level adjustment and because it saves their arms, some customers will only use these.
If you are looking for continuous flow, you can install Best Float valves with a bleeder valve, like the picture below. This one is pictured with our extension kit, which can keep more of the tank open longer.
If you need ice prevention, the Micro Sweeper can attach to any of our ported valves. Customers rave about them! They don't need any maintenance or adjustment once they have been installed.
If you want to plumb your tire tank from the side or top, we have tire tank mount kits available. Some mount them as you see below, and some invert the valve.
If you are using electricity to fill your tank, we have Electric Float Switch Kits with a tire tank mount.
Once installed the only semi-regular maintenance will be the poppet washers. Some replace them every 6 months, some every 3-5 years. If you start to have a little overflow, these will fix the problem 9 times out of 10.
If you have questions about how our Best Float Valve could work in your system, please let us know! We would be thrilled to help you! We would love the chance to show you why our livestock tank float valves could be the answer you have been searching for!
