Problem with water system - what am I doing wrong?

[kat2]

We have a 5 gallon bucket with two horizontal water nipples for our watering system. It sits outside in the run and we use a de-icer in the winter. We've had this for almost two years now, and sometime during each of the past two winters, a vertical hairline crack has developed from one of the holes drilled for the water nipples, allowing water to slowly seep out. Last spring, we got a new bucket and we'll have to do the same thing this spring. We've been using food grade 5-gallon buckets from Menards. We do have extreme temperatures, 95+ in the summer and -20 in the winter. I hate having to replace the bucket every spring. Any suggestions?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Never had those temps here where are you located ?

 

[kat2]

Never had those temps here where are you located ?

South Dakota

 

[pennyJo1960]

are twisting the real tight you should leave like two lines showing but living there it may be a issue

 

[The Moonshiner]

South Dakota

Lol yep.
I used to go up there every august. Temps can be 90° and drop to 50° once it gets dark.
Always took my coat when we were out riding all day. People would think I was nuts but after dark on the ride back I always got a chuckle out of the ones that gave me grief as they froze their butts off in the wind.

 

[TK421]

I don’t know what a de-icee is (I’m in south Texas) but if the bucket freezes and thaws that often I would think this will always be a problem unless you went to a metal bucket or a clay pot. If wonder if there is a heater that keeps the bucket above 32 at all times. But even then the constant heat will weaken the plastic.

 

[mdees88]

Why don't you try using a Brute 10 gallon trash can from homedepot this year? Since the buckets obviously aren't working...

 

[sawilliams]

Could you add something like a fish tank submersible water heater to the bucket in winter? The only issue unless you buy the more expensive plastic coated ones is you absolutely have to make sure the water line stays higher then the heater