Water heaters

[archeryrob]

What are you guys using for water heaters in a barrel? I have 15 gallon barrel waterers (2 coops) with horizontal nipples and looking to back them near each other and run extension cord to them from the old pool outlet I have outside. I can turn them on when I think the night will be cold enough to bother with it.

This is one of my 15 gallon jugs

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

You plan to heat water up during these hot summer days? Someone call Dr. Phil, there's something wrong with this person! With that said, if you do want to heat up the water, just get a big enough aquarium heater and throw that sucker in there.

 

[archeryrob]

No, thinking for the winter time.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'd look at stock tank heaters for something that size.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I'd look at stock tank heaters for something that size.

He says it's only 15 gallon....... like I said, just get a cheap aquarium heater and drop the sucker in and be done!

Or do you think he meant to say 50 gallon barrel instead of 15? Can't tell by the pic.

 

[RoosterML]

I use aquarium heater in 5gal and under anything over I would use stock tank de icer.

 

[wamtazlady]

I also have a container with horizontal nipples. Mine is 11 gallons. To keep water thawed during the winter I use a stock tank deicer that is rated for use in plastic. Has kept my water thawed down to -22 degrees F. The deicer has worked flawlessly through 4 winters now.

Stock tank deicers are also pretty efficient. They turn on when it gets below 35 degrees and turn off when they have heated the water to 45 degrees.

 

[Folly's place]

Aquarium heater are meant to be used in room temperature fish tanks, not outside in below freezing weather (even in steamy Maryland!). I know some folks use them 'off label', but it seems like a bad idea to me. A smaller stock tank heater on a thermostat makes more sense.
Mary

 

[21hens-incharge]

I use a small stock tank heater rated for plastic too.

I am far happier with it than those heated dog water dishes that give mice a toasty warm winter lodge then fail likely due to mouse activity.

 

[blackdog043]

I use a 250 watt stock tank deicer in my 5 gallon bucket. For use in containers up to 25 gallons, including plastic containers. Put the deicer on the bottom of the drum, to keep the nipples from freezing.
I'm gonna make another 14 gallon drum and use that instead of the 5 gal bucket for winter. I need a bigger heated waterer for when I go away for a week when it's colder, since I have more chickens now.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E8X2CA/?tag=backy-20