I've been using this float valve for my horse water trough for about six months now, and it's been a rollercoaster. The automatic water level control is a game-changer—no more midnight refills or overflows. The sturdy plastic float ball has held up against curious nibbles from my goats, which is a huge plus.

Installation was straightforward, but I did run into the same hose connection issue others mentioned. The threads felt off, and water sprayed everywhere until I added extra washers (not included, annoyingly). Once I jury-rigged it with plumber’s tape, though, it worked fine. Frustrating start, but functional.

Where it shines: durability. Unlike metal valves that corrode, this one’s plastic housing survives harsh weather and animal interference. It’s saved me countless hours monitoring trough levels—just set it and forget it (mostly).

Major gripe? The shutoff isn’t always reliable. Sometimes the valve keeps trickling even when the float’s fully raised. Not a dealbreaker for my setup since excess drains away, but I wouldn’t trust it for precise applications like pools without constant checks.

Final verdict: Great budget option if you’re handy with fixes and don’t need perfection. For $20, it outperforms pricier corroded metal valves I’ve replaced—just pack patience (and extra washers) during installation.