Aquarium heaters

[nakitaj11]

Hello! I hope everyone is well today! I recently read somewhere on line that some people use an aquarium heater to keep their water from freezing during the winter. It seems like it would be an efficient way to keep the water fresher and circulating. Has anyone tried this? Pros and cons I may not bee considering? Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I used one without issue for 2 years. We get down to barely below freezing here. Keep in mind they're not really designed for use in a chicken waterer, so you do need to check on it regularly to make sure it stays fully submerged. Also depending on the style of waterer, note that this will only keep water liquid - vertical nipples and watering cups will still freeze over.

 

[Alaskan]

I am against aquarium heaters because

1.they are made to keep the water warm. Warm water will evaporate into the air of the coop much more than cool water, so it will increase humidity and also increase frostbite risk.

Also, creating warm water costs me way more money than simply keeping water from freezing.

2. Aquarium heaters will bust if run dry.

I greatly prefer a submersible bird bath or stock tank deicer (see, deicer... so keeps the water liquid,not warm). The one I have is safe to touch, safe on rubber, safe if run dry, and has a built in temperature switch, so it only runs when it NEEDS to run. If my power goes off and the water freezes solid, once I get the power back on, NOTHING is broken, and it is strong enough to thaw itself out of the ice block.

 

[nakitaj11]

I am against aquarium heaters because

1.they are made to keep the water warm. Warm water will evaporate into the air of the coop much more than cool water, so it will increase humidity and also increase frostbite risk.

Also, creating warm water costs me way more money than simply keeping water from freezing.

2. Aquarium heaters will bust if run dry.

I greatly prefer a submersible bird bath or stock tank deicer (see, deicer... so keeps the water liquid,not warm). The one I have is safe to touch, safe on rubber, safe if run dry, and has a built in temperature switch, so it only runs when it NEEDS to run. If my power goes off and the water freezes solid, once I get the power back on, NOTHING is broken, and it is strong enough to thaw itself out of the ice block.

Thank you so much! Do you know the name brand you use?

 

[Alaskan]

Thank you so much! Do you know the name brand you use?

Farm Innovators Aluminum Utility DeIcer is the one I use.

My kids and I have busted everything else we used, but I have only bought ONE deicer (the one mentioned above) and it is still working years later!!

 

[Alaskan]

Oh, I put the deicer in one of those black rubber pans.

 

[Jenthehen127]

Hello! I hope everyone is well today! I recently read somewhere on line that some people use an aquarium heater to keep their water from freezing during the winter. It seems like it would be an efficient way to keep the water fresher and circulating. Has anyone tried this? Pros and cons I may not bee considering? Thank you!

We used to put one in a glass bottle and then suggested it. That way it stays submerged. And the thin glass around the heater doesn't get broken. The heater doesn't circulate the water. You need a pump for that. I don't know how that would work!

 

[wamtazlady]

I prefer the stock tank deicer. They are designed to keep water thawed in freezing temperatures. It gets into the -20s F around here. My chickens have never been without water using the deicer and horizontal nipples. Stock tank deicers do cost a bit more than aquarium heaters. Mine was about $40 but lasted for 4 winters.

 

[Whigru]

Last winter I used a heated chicken waterer (got it on amazon but I think you can get at farm supply stores too). I thought of the aquarium heater but our watering system broke right before it got cold so I got the heated bucket last minute. The deicer sounds like a good idea, too.