Switching to disposable deli cup water dishes

[littleindiangirl]

We use the PVC couplers for our disposables. We also have run ours through the dishwasher, they came out perfect. Not only are we saving a lot of money rather than buying a bunch of ceramic dishes, we have the option to just quickly run through the dishwasher.

Either way its a win win for us, quick easy changes, option to wash and save money and the environment.

[JD Constriction]

I cut the 4 inch couplers in 1/2. Makes them just barely deeper than the 8oz cups and you get 2 for the price of one!

Backup dishes is also a great idea....then you wash when you have time.....same with hides

[ADEE]

right now we use ceramic bowls.. with 10 animals its worked well for us. our condo does recycle so if it ever came about that we "needed" to use plastic we at least have recycling at our finger tips.. the condo at large recycles anyway which is great... its the sole provider for our newspaper! so were not having to buy newspaper and its basically recycling someone elses garbage too, shockingly at least 70% of the time the newspapers arent even open!

[nevohraalnavnoj]

I bought some deli cups that were #5 plastic, which to the best of my knowledge is not recyclable, at least here in Iowa.

jpman, do you cut them yourself or have them do it at Lowe's? I don't have a band saw.

JonV

[kc261]

There is a nifty and inexpensive tool called a PVC cable saw that works really fast & easy. It is a hand tool, so I wouldn't recommend it for a big breeder who wants to change over all the water dishes all at once. But for a smaller operation or someone who is willing to do the switch gradually, it might be great.

My personal experience with a PVC cable saw is only in cutting smaller pipes, not big 4" ones and not in cutting fittings. However, it is supposed to be good for all those applications as well.

[JD Constriction]

I cut them in 1/2 myself....they might be able to do it at lowes, homedepot, menards, or whereever.

If not you can use a hacksaw or a dremel. I use a dremel but would really like to use something a little faster and less freehand. Hacksaw might be the better way.....if you are up for the exercise

I use the bandsaw for the newspaper rolls.......might not be a bad idea to use it on the pvc...hadn't thought of that

If you really wanted to be efficient and they cut it for you, you could just get X feet of 4 inch PVC and have them cut 2.5 inch pieces off of it. I might be doing that for the next batch I'm using for the upcoming 08 hatchlings.

I might be able to cut some extra.....just let me know what you need and I can see if I can cut them for you. If it's not very many it wouldn't be a big deal.

Thanks,

[nevohraalnavnoj]

I might be able to cut some extra.....just let me know what you need and I can see if I can cut them for you. If it's not very many it wouldn't be a big deal.

Thanks,

Cool, do me up 2000 of the 2.5" ones. :-) I like the idea of cutting down a PVC pipe, I'll try that next time I go to Lowes.

JonV

[snakelady]

Heres another twist...There is food (and liquid) safe plastic made now that is biodegradable. At a conference the other day, I drank out out a cup that stated right on it that you could compost it.
I've had take-out food containers that said that too.
Pretty cool.

The price is probably higher now than the non-biodegradable plastic. But it should come down when more people start using it.

[jkobylka]

Cool, do me up 2000 of the 2.5" ones. :-) I like the idea of cutting down a PVC pipe, I'll try that next time I go to Lowes.

JonV

What size deli cup are you using to put in the 4" pipe?

Justin

[nevohraalnavnoj]

What size deli cup are you using to put in the 4" pipe?

Justin

I haven't bought a bunch yet...but I tried 16oz. Maybe a 12oz would be sufficient. What do you use?

JonV