Freeze Resistant Livestock Waterer

There was an extensive discussion about this 2-5 years ago.

Here ya go:

Thanks Lyn , This "extensive discussion " was very helpful

I would lay down a large coil of polyethylene tubing and build a large compost pile on top of it at the beginning of every winter....try to build the tank and tubing in a relationship that would promote natural convection for circulation...or a very small pump....

http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/compost-water-heater-zmaz81jazraw.aspx

one of the problems is the maximum density point of water = 4C, which is why lakes freeze on top and do not "turn over".

I would imagine a deep tank of brine, buried below 4 feet deep that allows warm brine to rise and heat the water in the tank, which should be insulated as well. The underground brine tank needs to be large enough to gather heat in the face of the freeze. Obviously, this would only work for mild freezing so the capacity of the earth to warm the above ground portion - these sizes can be worst case designed.

Less severe climates have a smaller burden

This is for a livestock waterer.

I don't thing you can get livestock to drink briny water, or keep them healthy if they *DID* drink the salt water.

No, the brine is used as a heat exchange medium to the deeper earth.

The stock drink pure water.

Ah, re-reading your post, I spotted the point where you mentioned a second tank indirectly.

That makes a lot more sense, it's just with everyone else talking about single-tank solutions, using just two words within a sentence to indicate a second take can be a little too subtle for some.

What is the ambient temperature?

I am thinking of an ice cracker that works with levers activated by the weight of the animal on a platform to break the surface ice.

Temperatures below freezing are rare here but I did see a frost just last year.

BAB

Dig a pit under the desired location,and put in about 4 layers of baled hay.

Put water tank on top of the hay bales.

Unless it is super-cold,this will prevent freezing.

Replace the hay every fall. Simple and natural.

I used to leave a bale of hay in the back of my jeep during the winter to prevent the

windshieled from icing up.

My water tank is surrounded by a plywood box filled with hard foam insulation. I had an uninsulated tank outside and the insulated one inside (no heat just out of wind.) The one outside would get an inch of ice at night, the inside insulated one just a thin film. So no matter what you use insulate it well even if you end up using a tank heater it will save you at least half.

justthe cowboy what is your location and climate Thanks

I'm in NE PA. I use a 125 gallon tank. Last winter -10 to +32 deg nights. I was amazed at how well it worked, I wasted alot of money before when I used a heater.

I will be putting a heater in the tank this year because the vet suggested if for the older horses, he said they drink more when the water is not at 32 deg.