| I was giving thought as to how to keep water from freezing and without
using electricity, well at least not in the stall itself. My idea
was to use a fish tank pump and tubing submerged in the bucket.
This would definately keep water from freezing and at less than
a buck a month to use as appose to electric windings which would
cost at least twice as much and are dangerous to use as you mentioned.
The water temp. would still be quite low but at least there is water
and not ice.
What do you think, might be worth trying? I have tried the idea
just to see how the horse would act drinking from a bubbling bucket.
Found that he couldn't care less but he was a little nervious at
first.
Also think of what it would cost for the pump, $10.00 at the most
and is reliable for a 2 year period running 24 hours a day.
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| I'm not sure if the fishtank pump idea would work. My husband
keeps fish for his hobby, and it is not that easy to keep an airhose
in the tank. You would have to wait down the hose, they sell airstones
that do the job but airstones clog up and need to be cleaned weekly.
The small fish pumps will probably only handle one water bucket.
The dust in the barn will clog the filter so this will probably
have to be kept clean weekly. ( the cheeper pumps do not have
replaceable filters ). If you buy the cheep dimestore varity of
pump you will be lucky if it last 2 years. If you buy the nice
pump ( replacable filters and diapharms ) it will last but it will
cost for 15 to 25 per pump and you will need a pump per bucket.
If you buy a large pump and try to have it airiate more then
one bucket you will get so fed up with adjusting the airflow
that you would go back to the heater.
I read a nice easy idea in practicle horseman last year. The idea
was to put the water in a thermal containor, they said that it
would keep the water from freezing.
MAW
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| To hold the tube in the water, just drill a small hole large enough
to use a peice of string to secure to tube. In the winter, the tube
will be stiff so it won't come to the surface. Also in my case,
a three-way-splitter (not controllable valve) for three stalls,
and locate the splitter so there is three equal length tubes to
each bucket. And locate the pump somewhere not dusty for example,
the tack room.
All you need is a little air at the bucket to keep the water
circulating. In our case with three horses running at approx. 100
deg. per and the barn closed up tight, there should be no frozen
buckets. I used a cheap $10.00 pump to try it on one bucket and
it worked great with plenty of air to spare! Also keep in mind, your
spending $30.00-50.00 on a heater that could cook your animals
well-done if the barn burned, or like someone mentioned, burn the
poor fellows nose.
The pump is only used in extreme cold for a few months-if the pump
lasts for two years running 24 hours a day and you only use it for
4 months, you should get 6 years out of it anyways. The only problem
is the rubber diaphram may get hard and split. Nothing a moisturizing
cream or vasoline couldn't cure. Not bad for $10.00 compared to $50.00
and your meat stays rare.
I think the idea is great, cheap and almost worth copyrighting,
if only I thought of the pump first, although I had an idea for
a home generator using car alternators, 12 volt batt. and a briggs.
I was to late again for I saw the plans in a magazine for $400.00.
ALWAYS TO LATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but if someone takes it this
far, I want a cut$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ha ha
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