Thermocubes - confused

[Bear Foot Farm]

I am curious why you think the aquarium heaters are a fire hazard?

They are meant to always be submerged in water, so if the water runs low they could overheat.​

 

[jmagill]

Quote:
They are meant to always be submerged in water, so if the water runs low they could overheat.

As are bird bath heaters, stock tank heaters etc.

The aquarium heaters shut off when not in water automatically. That reason will not work.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
They are meant to always be submerged in water, so if the water runs low they could overheat.

As are bird bath heaters, stock tank heaters etc.

The aquarium heaters shut off when not in water automatically. That reason will not work.

Take a look at this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=389587

Aquarium heaters were not designed to operate in subfreezing temperatures. It's always a risk to use a piece of equipment in a drastically different environment than the one it was designed for. If the glass of the aquarium heater shatters, your chickens could get a shock when they come to take a drink or if the waterer gets knocked over (and the glass broken by that event), a short circuit could spark a fire in the shavings.

By the way, I have read about those birdbath waterers producing shocks, too. I guess the manufacturer thinks people won't care too much because it's "only" wild birds.

 

[jmagill]

Here is some more reading.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=482633

and some more

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=427945