What's a tankheater for? I never seen one.

I have a rubbermaid tank and a floating de-icer that has worked well for years. The first year my very curious playful mare had to pull it out of the tank and it melted a hole in the side of the rubbermaid tank. I replaced the tank and the horses were now used to this device and no longer bother it. This winter has been HORRIBLE, with record breaking lows (MINUS 27 in Bartlesville here in Okla, MINUS 9 here in MOrris) and there has never been any ice on top of the tank at all. It will develop ice crystals on top of the de-icer but the water is great. The horses seem to drink a lot more too, perhaps the warmer water helping them to stay warm in these frigid temps.... Here's hoping we can put em all away SOON... Cindy

I have one of the on the bottom types for the past 3 years, it's the best e-bay win I have ever done, Well worth the $15.00 I paid. It is hooked to a electrical cord from the barn less than 8 ft. and my water tub is an old steel bath tub and it keep the water nice and warm. No more breaking ice for me. I kept the water at a trickle to keep it filled. I have one horse that will not drink from the tub with the heater in in, the other 2 horses do just fine with it so I know it's not shocking them. I even used rhe warm water supply for the dogs buckets. Even though I live in the south it has been very cold here this winter, I'm glad I had my tank heater for my crew.

I use both types of heaters, floating on top and sitting on bottom. In one tank, I had to go to the bottom one when my 3yo kept pulling the float out and stomping on it, thus I went thru two of those last winter!! This winter I put the same heaters back in my rubbermaid tanks, but the horses won't drink from the one sitting on the bottom! I put my hand in, and did not feel a current or anything wrong. The water occasionally gets thin ice on top, but it can be broken easily. Has anyone else had any problems getting their horses to drink from the bottom-heated tank? Thanks! Vicky

Ranger...I've used both the floating and 'bottom' type of heater...most of the time with an extension cord (have a plug-in near the tank, but it's outside...extension cord, I can un-plug from inside the barn) Both have lasted for years...Did you find out if you just got a 'defective' from the factory (new one)?!! Or there might be a short in your cord/plug-in...which caused the 'old one' to go out, too! Just another 'thing' to check on... I plug mine in overnight, or when temps stay below freezing, but unplug it most of the time... water stays mostly thawed - might get some ice on top, bust that, and it keeps pretty much all day. Another trick I've learned is to put a heavy 2x4 about 4-5' long in the tank...sticking out - if ice does form, you pull on that 2x4, and it busts the ice, plus it's a handy 'hammer' to bust the rest of the ice, and won't hurt the horses.

That is what my issue was as well, my floating heater from 25 years ago died the first cold snap this year. I replaced with the same thing, same brand even, and it lasted all of 1-1/2 weeks. So I either got a faulty one or they just don't make'em like they used to. So I'm asking around for what currently works for others. Thanks for everyones imput.

I recently had to replace one of my floating tank heaters. Of course, it quit working last Tuesday, the day we had 3" of solid ice on the road topped with 4" of snow, and the daytime temp was about 18 degrees! After calling every Tractor Supply store within 30 miles to learn they'd sold out, I found one at my local feed store...the last one on their shelf. Ron and I drove @ 20 mph to town and back to get it. When I remembered when I'd bought the one that quit working, I realized that I'd had it since 1993, when I lived up north. Back then, it stayed in the metal trough from the end of Oct. till spring, and a 100 ft.heavy duty extention cord ran power to it. The new heater is exactly like the old one, and I'd say I got my $$$'s worth after that many years of service. When the feed store restocks their shelves, I plan to buy myself a spare, in case the other 1993 model that is still working fine in the other tank quits during another winter storm. Jacquie

I have used three different styles over the years: the submergable, the floater and the one for the plug hole for rubber tubs. I've had success with each, but the favorit was the plug hole heater. It keeps the entire tub/troff heated instead of segregated areas as mentioned above.And right now with all this ice and freezing temps we've been having it's the only one I haven't had to bust ice for around the edges!

Ranger, I have tried just about all of them. The one I am happiest with is a plug-in heater for a rubber tank. It has not frozen once. All of the drop-in heaters I have used have frozen or freeze everywhere but directly above the heater. I have one tank that froze completely a couple years back. It is now a flower planter! The plug-in has been great. No breaking ice and it gets REAL cold here in Montana. Also, I have several heated buckets and tubs. Those have been great for the most part as well. As far as extension cords go, I use them on almost all of my tanks. It might help to have someone who knows a bit about electricity around. ;)

I have used one for 3 seasons now and it works great. Also use it with a heavy duty extension cord.