NEED OPINIONS ON POSSIBLE WATER HEATING SYSTEM

[iwiw60]

Okay, I'm already starting to do some thinking about how I'm going to keep my waterer from freezing this winter. I use a 2-1/2 gallon bucket that has horizontal water nipples (which, by the way, work fantastic!).




What I'd like to do is use the system in this pic:



and place the 2-1/2 gallon bucket solidly resting on top, with a "safety chain" of sorts hooked up to the rafters, just in case it gets toppled...what do you all think????

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's not a bad idea but possibly too much heat.
What about a bird bath heater in the bucket?

 

[iwiw60]

That's not a bad idea but possibly too much heat.
What about a bird bath heater in the bucket?

Bird bath and/or fish tank heater units will not keep my water from freezing. Here in the Pacific Northwest our winters can be pretty brutal. We always have a period of a month or so when our night temps get down below zero....freeze our hinies off!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It hit -19F here last winter.

 

[iwiw60]

It hit -19F here last winter.

What do you use @ChickenCanoe ??

 

[tbiM20]

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-250-...N1EQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1324594073&sr=8-9

Another member used this in their 5 gallon buckets

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/608340/heating-a-plastic-bucket-nipple-waterer/20

 

[jetdog]

I had vertical nipples and they froze solid or leaked, so with the polar vortex and ripping my hair out I switched to horrizontal nipples and a 250 watt stock tank heater it's safe for plastic and has a built-in thermostat so it only runs when it has to, long story short problem fixed. It never froze again and it's out in the run all winter long.

 

[iwiw60]

I had vertical nipples and they froze solid or leaked, so with the polar vortex and ripping my hair out I switched to horrizontal nipples and a 250 watt stock tank heater it's safe for plastic and has a built-in thermostat so it only runs when it has to, long story short problem fixed. It never froze again and it's out in the run all winter long.

Oh yeah....definitely went with the horizontal nipples, too! My question is what brand heater unit did you go with?

 

[jetdog]

Farm innovators, got it at tractor supply, a little pricey but piece of mind goes a long way in my book.

 

[iwiw60]

Farm innovators, got it at tractor supply, a little pricey but piece of mind goes a long way in my book.

Went to TSC online and there's only 2 that I see...both are 1250 watts. Won't that be too hot for a plastic setup? I notice in your original post you said 250 watt....confused..help!