I cannot find submersible water heaters that heat water to 40 F, that are equipped to be kept outsid

[DocumentedPure]

I have read tons of articles on keeping water heated inside of a coop in the winter, and this is the route that I am interested in going. I do not want to constantly change frozen water. I do not want to use a dog bowl to heat the water, or use a light bulb to heat the water. This is the route that I would like to go. I would also like to partially insulate the water container. I have read a lot of information about types of insulation, and I am trying to figure out some way to line a 5/10 gallon bucket with mylar, inside or outside. If I do it outside, I would like ideas on how to cover the reflecting properties of the Mylar. I am concerned that paint will just flake off of it. I am also concerned that the mylar will insulate too well, and that I will have very hot water in the winter time, and waste electricity.

Please do not warn me about the dangers about adding electricity to the coop. I am working with an electrician to minimize/ eliminate that risk. I am only interested in hearing about methods of heating sealed water buckets with nipple waterers.

Please let me know about submersible water heaters that you are familiar with, that do not heat the water to levels fish swim in, but levels that prevent water from freezing.

Thank you for your wisdom and time.

 

[DocumentedPure]

How about a pond de-icer? This one automatically turns on and off at 35 and 45 F? Is there anything like this that would work for like a 10 gallon bucket instead of a full sized pond?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHM91O/ref=psdc_2975456011_t2_B000HHLSMA

 

[catinthecoop]

A standard stock tank de-icer won't do the job? I picked up the smallest one I could find, I think it was around $30. They are designed to keep water around 35-40 degrees, built in thermostat. I used them all the time in stock tanks for horses and they take a beating and keep on heating. Just be sure your electric setup can handle.

Feed stores, TSC, Farm & Fleet etc all carry them, and being spring now they may be on sale. Just watch what size tank they are rated for.

 

[donaltman3]

What is your aversion to using a fish tank heater that could warm the water to perhaps 65-70 degrees?

I know its warmer than you need, but is there a problem doing so?
I am just curious on your thoughts and trying to learn.

What temps are you planning on the weather getting down too and for how long?


Now for a suggestion...
This little heater will raise water temps about 6 degrees over ambiant temperature.

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...aters-chillers/aqueon-aquatic-flat-heater-75w

Aquarium heaters are made to get to a certain tempture range 65-85 while inside a home at an average temp in the 70's.
If you get a heater that shows it will get to 75, I highly doubt outside in the freezing weather it will ever be able to get the water that warm. If the water starts out at a higher temp the heater maybe be able to hold that temp or slightly elevate it in freezing condintions.

It's only 7.5 watts and would probably keep the water from freezing

 

[Howard E]

What you may be looking for is a bird bath heater:

https://www.amazon.com/API-250D-200-Watt-Birdbath-6-Foot/dp/B000HHLIXY

I used this exact heater in a 5 gallon bucket, with horizontal nipples and drinking cups. The drinking cups are preferred by the birds 100 : 0, but freeze up and stop working around +25F. The birds then switch over to the nipples. Coldest temps I had were -5F and water stayed open and birds were drinking through it all. Could have easily gone lower.

These kick on when water temps drop below freezing and kick off around +40F or so.

I also have a dog pail heater that works the same way......a heating element that is submersed in the bucket. That would also work with horizontal nipples.

I prefer the cups and nipples to open water sources, like heated pet dishes, muffin tins under water fountains, etc., as the water stays cleaner.

 

[donaltman3]

Nice find...

 

[DocumentedPure]

Thank you for your advice and direction. I would not have found a good starting place to search for products without your ideas. Here is the one I will be using for my setup and why.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002QXN1EQ?ref=emc_b_5_t
K&H Ultimate 250-Watt Pail Heater with No Floater Cord Safety Clip

This is the best waterer to use. This is also the lowest wattage waterer I could find. It is designed for 5 gallon buckets made out of plastic, so it will not melt them. It is designed with a thermostat to not turn on unless the water is below 45 F. It is 6 in diameter. The cord is 5.5 feet, so I will be able to string it directly up and it will be able to connect to the electric outlet above. Great reviews, many people use this for their chicken waterer. I will have to buy a couple extra just in case one or two gets faulty in the winter before I am able to process a new one. There is a two year warranty, and the product is easy to clean. It is also the best reviewed and most reliable system.

=$26 on amazon prime.

 

[DocumentedPure]

What is your aversion to using a fish tank heater that could warm the water to perhaps 65-70 degrees?

I know its warmer than you need, but is there a problem doing so?
I am just curious on your thoughts and trying to learn.

What temps are you planning on the weather getting down too and for how long?


Now for a suggestion...
This little heater will raise water temps about 6 degrees over ambiant temperature.

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...aters-chillers/aqueon-aquatic-flat-heater-75w

Aquarium heaters are made to get to a certain tempture range 65-85 while inside a home at an average temp in the 70's.
If you get a heater that shows it will get to 75, I highly doubt outside in the freezing weather it will ever be able to get the water that warm. If the water starts out at a higher temp the heater maybe be able to hold that temp or slightly elevate it in freezing condintions.

It's only 7.5 watts and would probably keep the water from freezing

The reason I want to avoid this type of heater is because it costs a lot of energy to heat it up that high, and the chickens do not necessarily mind it colder. That is true, if it was warmer I could maintain the temperature for much less than it would cost to raise it from cold. A well insulated waterer would cost even less to maintain it that temperature. However I found one that works well and is fairly cheap to run. Please check it out, it may save you some money if your end up in the same situation as me.

 

[DocumentedPure]

What you may be looking for is a bird bath heater:

https://www.amazon.com/API-250D-200-Watt-Birdbath-6-Foot/dp/B000HHLIXY

I used this exact heater in a 5 gallon bucket, with horizontal nipples and drinking cups. The drinking cups are preferred by the birds 100 : 0, but freeze up and stop working around +25F. The birds then switch over to the nipples. Coldest temps I had were -5F and water stayed open and birds were drinking through it all. Could have easily gone lower.

These kick on when water temps drop below freezing and kick off around +40F or so.

I also have a dog pail heater that works the same way......a heating element that is submersed in the bucket. That would also work with horizontal nipples.

I prefer the cups and nipples to open water sources, like heated pet dishes, muffin tins under water fountains, etc., as the water stays cleaner.

Awesome thank you! After an hour of researching, this model did not show up. Thank you for finding it because it uses less watts than what I had previously made up my decision about.

Here are my notes. This product is actually 50 watts less, and does the same job as the one above. One reviewer said that the product worked even after eight years. Six foot cord. Internal thermostat heats below freezing and then kicks off around 40-45 F. Great reviews.