Freeze protect water tub: aquarium bubbler?

[jmc]

near zero? if it's near zero.. it's way past freezing and the heater ain't working.

Water freezes at zero in most of the world.

 

[MossRoad]

Water freezes at zero in most of the world.

If you're referring to Celsius, actually, it doesn't.

 

[CobyRupert]

Since he mentioned 1500W or less my guess is he is limited in current.

I was looking for the cheapest solution. For a 1500W heater, and an estimated 12 cents a kW-hr, and estimated utilization (on) rate of Nov (35%), Dec (80%), Jan (95%), Feb (95%), Mar(75%), Apr (35%) I was calculating a winter horse water tub heat bill of $540
1000Watts = $360
500Watts=$180

I was wondering about how much does water have to be moving (by cheaper/less energy, mechanical means / bubbles, etc..) to not freeze, instead of introducing heat.
Yes, I (now) understand that you could end up with a solution where the moving liquid, that although not ice, may be less than 32F/OC, and the horse wouldn't want to drink it. Assuming that the system even prevented ice.
My other mistake was: Hey I know that people use bubblers to keep dock from freezing. But this was wrong as it uses the "warm" water from the bottom of a pond/lake rather than just movement. Wouldn't work in a small tub.
I did learn that there doesn't seem to be good research on how much movement at a given temperature prevents ice crystal formation. Maybe I can get a government research grant. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

Look at it this way.... even Niagara Falls freezes. That's about as much movement as you can get! :laughing:

 

[jmc]

If you're referring to Celsius, actually, it doesn't.

I WAS refering to Celcius and credible references confirm my hunch. This, from the University of Oregon, via Wikipedia:

Until the 1970s the Fahrenheit temperature scale was in general common use in English-speaking countries; the Celsius, or centigrade, scale was employed in most other countries and for scientific purposes worldwide. Since that time, however, most English-speaking countries have officially adopted the Celsius scale.

 

[MossRoad]

I WAS refering to Celcius and credible references confirm my hunch. This, from the University of Oregon, via Wikipedia:

Until the 1970s the Fahrenheit temperature scale was in general common use in English-speaking countries; the Celsius, or centigrade, scale was employed in most other countries and for scientific purposes worldwide. Since that time, however, most English-speaking countries have officially adopted the Celsius scale.

Most of the world is covered in sea water. Sea water freezes well below zero Celcius.

Since you were poking a little fun with Soundguy, I poked a little fun with you! :laughing:

Yes, most of the world measures temps in Celcius and yes, fresh water freezes around zero Celcius.... but we're in America!!! To heck with that commie measurment system.

 

[jmc]

OK, you win that round!

 

[zzvyb6]

The bubbler won't work. It can only circulate water with heat/clories in it. There's not enough 'heat' (thermal mass) in a small tank of water. If it was a deep pond or stream, it can pull water with thermal energy and stir it around. Many times, the decaying vegetation in a pond will generate enough heat for a bubbler to work.

Some of my friends use goldfish and pond greens to keep water liquid in a stock tank. If its not too cold, it works well, as long as the horses approve of fish poop in their beverage. They also use a 100 watt light-bulb shinning down. But, I hate to think about the horses breaking the bulb. One gal also puts a bag od water softener salt in the tank. They need salt anyways.

I personally use a stock tank heater on two timers. The first timer is based on daylight. Its set to 'off' between 10 am and 6 pm. The 2nd timer plugs into the first one and cycles the circuit on and off every other hour. So, its on for an hour then off for an hour. You need a high current time on this one.

I also surround the stock tank with sheets of Styrofoam with a plywood case and top painted black. If you don't, the horses will relieve their boredom by chewing the foam. Lastly, you can cover 80% of the tank's top. Horses only need enough opening to get their muzzle into the water.

BTW, I use an air compressor attached to one of my old farm windmills to keep an area open in my pond. The swans sometimes don't leave early enough. The compressor is made from a semi-truck auxiliary air spring coupled to two check valves. Then you run a hose to an 'air stone' out in the pond. You can build a 100 psi head with this pump arrangement on a windy day.

 

[PILOON]

Moving water does not freeze, however like Niagra there are limits.
32 F freezes for pure water and 0F for salt water.
Other than dedicated livestock tank heaters you could try heated tracing wire as used in eaves troughs and often on water pipes.
While I know they are designed for wrapping or laying in a trough they will accept to be submerged and if you sort of coil them in the tub I know they will work. (I keep my ditch drain open this way) Just keep the connectors away from the animals,( like maybe wrap in thick plastic bag).
I once even inserted one in a water line and concocted a waterproof joint to do so.
Semi burying the tank could also help as ground temps will be higher than ambient air.(under 3=4 ft of snow the earth is rarely frozen)

 

[rd_macgregor]

Water freezes at zero in most of the world.

Yeah, I should have specified 0 C or just said "near freezing".
My heated tank has two drinking openings with a center, covered bridge that has the float valve under it. There is a thermostatically-controlled heating pad attached to the underside of the tank (I know because I had to replace it last year). When the horses drink, the float valve lets fresh new (groundwater temperature!) water in to replenish what they've drunk. In very cold weather (especially if it is windy), a thin layer of ice will still sometimes form on the surface of the water in the tank, but the horses easily nose through it to drink.