kenny thomas":1ckjjsz4 said:
What type of heater do you use? It very rarely gets below 10F here. Will I need one?
I would think at 10 above you would be alright without one. The worst that could probably happen is the balls freeze up a little, especially if you have a stiff wind. Usually the cows will break them loose in such a case. The other variable is how many head you have drinking out of the tank. We have a 4 holer that waters 150 cows and that thing will never freeze up because of the constant filling with warmer water. I have 3 other 4 holers but they only have small numbers drinking from them. I use a 500 watt heater in those and as long as the heater is working they never freeze up with -25 temps. Problem I have is I can't find a good heater that will last for more than a year or two and you never know when one is going to fail.
Msscamp, I realize it is too late now but I would recommend anybody in a northern climate installing these "energy free tanks" should strongly consider burying a wire along with the water line. You don't have to use it but if you find your waterers are freezing it is much easier to put one in with the line already to the tank.