NEED OPINIONS ON POSSIBLE WATER HEATING SYSTEM

[jetdog]

Yes I would think the 1250 watt would be to much, mine is submersible and sits on the bottom of the bucket with no problem. I got it at my local tractor supply for around $30.

 

[iwiw60]

Yes I would think the 1250 watt would be to much, mine is submersible and sits on the bottom of the bucket with no problem. I got it at my local tractor supply for around $30.

Thanks for the pic..appreciate it! Problem is, here in Central Oregon there are no TSC's around...at all. So I went online to see if I could order one but like I said they're only showing two 1250 watters which we both know would be way too hot. I'll check at my local feed store and see what they have or if they can order it for me...THANKS AGAIN!!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

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.

My vote is also on a small stock tank water heater. I have one and it is an ideal solution. Drop it into the bucket. I should sit flat on the bottom, then keep the heater completely submerged. The one I use has an internal thermostat that goes off at 41 degrees and then cycles back on at 40 degrees. There is never the hint of ice in a 50 gallon outside water tank even when it's down to zero degrees F or below, and almost a zero chance of starting a fire but no fiddling with controls and no bulb to burnout either. Just water cooler temperature water 24/7 I have been using my current one for about 7 years.

Take your bucket with you when you go to buy so that you can be sure that the heater you chose fits in the bottom of you chosen bucket.

http://www.southernstates.com/catalog/p-4265-farm-innovators-submergible-tank-de-icer-1500watt.aspx

Above is one possible candidate.

 

[iwiw60]

My vote is also on a small stock tank water heater. I have one and it is an ideal solution. Drop it into the bucket. I should sit flat on the bottom, then keep the heater completely submerged. The one I use has an internal thermostat that goes off at 41 degrees and then cycles back on at 40 degrees. There is never the hint of ice in a 50 gallon outside water tank even when it's down to zero degrees F or below, and almost a zero chance of starting a fire but no fiddling with controls and no bulb to burnout either. Just water cooler temperature water 24/7 I have been using my current one for about 7 years.

Take your bucket with you when you go to buy so that you can be sure that the heater you chose fits in the bottom of you chosen bucket.

http://www.southernstates.com/catalog/p-4265-farm-innovators-submergible-tank-de-icer-1500watt.aspx

Above is one possible candidate.

Good thinking...I'll take the bucket with me. That link you gave me....it's a 1500 watt unit...


I still think it might be too hot for a plastic bucket. Speaking of buckets, right now I'm using a 2-1/2 gallon bucket, smaller than the standard 5 gallon bucket, but I can always buy more nipples and make one out of a 5 gallon one for the coop and keep the smaller one I'm using right now for this coming spring outside in the run. Let me know your thoughts...

 

[yyz0yyz0]

i made one of these and used it through last winter with no freezing even with below zero outside temps.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...icken-waterer-zm0z13fmzhun.aspx#axzz34p1bRrrh

I used a 6ft pipe heater because I couldn't find a 3ft one. I think it's like 40watts.

I added a 1" piece of foam that fits inside the bucket about halfway down. Also added a 1/2" piece of foam on the bottom then covered it with the bottom cutout from the outer bucket, protects it from pecking.

Love this heated waterer.

 

[iwiw60]

i made one of these and used it through last winter with no freezing even with below zero outside temps.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...icken-waterer-zm0z13fmzhun.aspx#axzz34p1bRrrh

I used a 6ft pipe heater because I couldn't find a 3ft one. I think it's like 40watts.

I added a 1" piece of foam that fits inside the bucket about halfway down. Also added a 1/2" piece of foam on the bottom then covered it with the bottom cutout from the outer bucket, protects it from pecking.

Love this heated waterer.

Thanks for your post....but it won't work for my setup as I am using horizontal water nipples.




I've seen that setup before and it looks great for vertical nipples. I'm looking for a submersible heater that is suitable for plastic buckets. My main problem is I'm using a 2-1/2 gallon bucket, not the a-typical 5-gallon ones....

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think a small bird bath heater will work. Otherwise use an aquarium heater.

Another option is to put the bucket on blocks with an engine block heater under it.

 

[iwiw60]

I think a small bird bath heater will work. Otherwise use an aquarium heater.

Another option is to put the bucket on blocks with an engine block heater under it.

Thanks @ChickenCanoe but the problem with both of those suggestions is 1) a bird bath heater would be too 'wide' by the time you angled the cord up and out; and 2) an aquarium heater isn't designed for sub-zero temps...I've read up on them and most BYC members say they don't work well at all for northern climates....I'll keep looking.......sign..........

 

[quail325]

I don't know if you found your water heater yet but check out eBay under "pail heater"

 

[iwiw60]

I don't know if you found your water heater yet but check out eBay under "pail heater"

Thanks...what I need is a small stock tank heater rated no more than 500 watts...that way the bucket won't melt....Having a heck of a time locating, but boy with this HOT WEATHER I don't think I'll need one for some time yet....geeeesh!!