What size stock heater for 600 gallon stock tank??

[janastasio]

Decided to put the 600 gallon into effect for the winter and hopefully keep the birds happier and healthier looking. I purchased a 1500 watt heater for the pool and hooked it up to a time. (I mean its 1500 freakin' watts, right??? I want to be able to pay my electricity bill) We are getting icing over the top of the pool in the morning. I break it with a shovel, but its not what I had invisioned! I'm an invisioner of pretty pen, pretty pool, and happy pretty duckies! Anyone know how many watts needed for 600 gallon tank. Cant find anything online. Thanks so much!

 

[KansasKid]

I have a 1250 watt de-icer that says its good for 50-600 gallons ponds. inside your manual (should be) is a table that shows the wattage needed in comparison to the size of tank and the temperature of the water and but for some reason it goes only to 300 gal. so i am assuming its the minimum size and 1500 watts is as high as i goes. Temperatures here have been 18 19 and tonight is supposed to be 17. my big pond has frozen over but my duck pond (600gallon) remains ice free, except where they get in and out. There was a small ice layer on my ramp where they had been getting in and out and it slowly froze over. so you should be fine with the 1500. even if most of it freezes over as long as there is an airpocket and its not too thick they will break it and have fun in the water.

 

[janastasio]

Kansas kid, how much of a change in your electricity bill do you see each month??

 

[KansasKid]

Sorry, it will be another week or so before i get my bill. even when i get it I really won't know how much that one will take it up because we have several metal stock tanks for the horses we use de-icers in and this time of year we start plugging our diesel truck in to keep the glow plugs warm and of course the christmas lights have to go up, so i'm sure it will make up for not running our air-conditioner.

 

[janastasio]

Think I'll buya pack of depends to wear when I open the bill. Hopefully I won't soil myself!

 

[KansasKid]

maybe with you using just one it won't be so bad, hopefully......