Water tanks

Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek

5 year old buck +
I feel like we brought this up last Fall. Man the deer gravitate even more to the water tanks once the temperature really drops off. Multiple deer at the tanks at all times of day. Anybody have a solution for keeping water open in tanks? I am pretty sure if you could keep water open it would be an unbelievable attraction. Deer are always trying to break ice.IMG_1749.jpeg
 
Turkey Creek said:
I feel like we brought this up last Fall. Man the deer gravitate even more to the water tanks once the temperature really drops off. Multiple deer at the tanks at all times of day. Anybody have a solution for keeping water open in tanks? I am pretty sure if you could keep water open it would be an unbelievable attraction. Deer are always trying to break ice.View attachment 71789
Click to expand...
Not a problem where I live. But I have seen people putting solar powered aerators.
 
It might help to paint the outside of the tank black. It looks like it's in the woods so probably not getting the most sunlight.
 
Yea I did put it in the shade for a couple of reasons, less evaporation and hopefully not completely full of algae (though that likely doesn't bother the deer. I did look up solar powered tank heaters but those don't seem to exist. The aerator idea might work as it never completely freezes solid. I even wondered about burying a large coil of pex below the frost line and recirculating the tank water with a pump through the coil. Maybe enough residual ground heat to "heat" the water in the coil and keep the tank more open.
 
The most inefficient appliance in your house is likely your hot water heater. Going to be a challenge through temperature. I'd think motion is an easier route. I used a battery operated minnow bucket aerator to keep a little frog pond open for a couple of days in 20 degree weather. If a guy was to use a car battery and a solar charger one of those things might run quite a while...
 
I know there's at least one company selling a solar air pump set up, but it's a grand plus.

Saw youtube DIY version that didn't work, it froze anyway, just made bubbles under the ice.
 
What about the electric heaters farmers use to keep water available for cattle? I believe the tanks they place them in are smaller and have a much smaller surface with a system tied to a well for automatic refills. Could some sort of solar hook up provide enough juice to heat a smaller tank? ... I'd call the company making the heaters. Perhaps folks who work cattle can chime in or identify a heater manufacturer.,
 
There are a myriad of heaters water tanks available for cattle.

Look into the bird bath 200 to 400 watt heaters with thermostat.

I noticed myself how often the deer used water tanks, it surprised me!
 
Ummm....
 
I suppose if you have power this is an easy one. If you don't have power on-site would be the problem.
 
Some simple things you can do to help on the link...

I imagine just insulating or burying the tank along with partially covering the tank would go a long ways towards keeping it liquid at moderate temps.
somofarmandranch.com

Keep Your Cattle Water From Freezing Without Electricity

It’s essential to keep fresh water out for your herd in winter. We’ve got seven ways to keep your cattle water from freezing without using electricity.
somofarmandranch.com somofarmandranch.com
 
Catscratch said:
Some simple things you can do to help on the link...

I imagine just insulating or burying the tank along with partially covering the tank would go a long ways towards keeping it liquid at moderate temps.
somofarmandranch.com

Keep Your Cattle Water From Freezing Without Electricity

It’s essential to keep fresh water out for your herd in winter. We’ve got seven ways to keep your cattle water from freezing without using electricity.
somofarmandranch.com somofarmandranch.com
Click to expand...
I feel like we had a couple of propane heaters for stock tanks when I was a youngin'. I don't recall if they also had electricity ran to the unit and or how loud the units were.
 
Been doing some thinking on this (I've got 2, maybe 3 spots I'd like to add water to)...

I'm assuming the black one's will draw solar heat more than the silver ones.

Assume putting them in the sun would help.

Buried to take advantage of geothermal heat. Once again just thinking out loud... but a tall (or deep) tank would take advantage of geothermal more than a shallow tank, plus a narrow tank would expose less surface area to the cold air.

What's your guy's thoughts on this stuff?
 
They like this water tanks ! I have not even dug it in yet.IMG_7019.jpegIMG_7009.jpeg
 
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SO what have "we" found for some good cheap above ground, or bury, tanks?
 
gjs4 said:
SO what have "we" found for some good cheap above ground, or bury, tanks?
Click to expand...

I have had good success with 110 gal black tanks purchased at TSC on sale.
cbcb1aa60aaf85253faa3570770f1ae0.jpg




Shot this year’s deer over one.

Dropbox

tinyurl.com tinyurl.com

Following this thread closely. Ideas I might give a try:
- wrapping with insulation
- solar powered water agitator


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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On Nov 27 I topped off 3 165 gallon tanks with water. These tanks are dug in and I have 3 to 4' 14" wide holes dug under them to help keep the water from freezing. The first 5 days after filling it barely made it above freezing and had 2 days in a row where it was highs under 20 and lows close to 10. The deer and other critters we at it throughout the day and night. It froze but they would always bust it open.

I have 2 of the 3 tanks watched by cam. It has been a lot of fun looking at pics and seeing what comes in. Every buck I had on cam alive before the 27 and some new ones have shown up. I got back into the country last night and refilled them today. It took just a tad over 400 gallons to fill them. To me this is absolutely amazing,

I believe that the water would have been frozen to solid if I hadn't dug those holes dug under the tags before burying them. I have no doubt they will eventually be frozen to hard for critters to get to the water but they certainly have kept deer on my property more minutes per day than previous years without the tanks and at least safe from a bullet or arrow during that time.

The tanks were drawn down the most during this stint than any similar duration in the entire year. When there is no longer living tissue to feed on(where they get most of their water in warmer months) water sources are very important in the winter for animals.
 
How about a solar hot water collector? I think that would be fairly easy and inexpensive with a battery and small pump to circulate.

A solar thermal collector could also work, maybe by using a solar powered computer fan and blowing the warm air across the top of the water (assuming it has an enclosure over most of the tank. It might not keep it ice free on a really cold day, but might be enough.
 
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