underground stock tank heater

[Sageair]

Some time ago I saw plans for installing a large culvert vertically under ground then placing the stocktank on top of the culvert. The idea being that warm air from underground would chimney up thru the culvert and heat the stock tank and water. Does anybody have those plans? I have Googled till my head hurt but no luck. Thanks in advance Steve

 

[RankRam]

I can't help you, but sure sounds like a great idea Steve!

 

[bmoeller]

I know of a farmer that did something that with a bunch of field tile to help cool the hog buildings in the summer, and it also let warmer air in during the winter.



IIRC, he ran a length of tile along the long driveway, and also had several tile risers sticking up as well. Worked like a heat exchanger.



Do a search on www.farmshow.com to see if you can find the article. Don't know if I still have the issue that it was in or not.



Don't see why the same idea wouldn't work for the tank.

 

[SWC]

I have seen what you are asking about up here.

The vertical culvert or tube was around 3 ft in diameter if I remember correctly. The watering bowl was made of concrete with insulation. The bowl held 10 to 15 gal. of water. The top was covered and had something like a ball 8 in. diameter that the cows had to push down to get to the water.

This system would work with -40F temperature. The ball would have to be knocked loose in the morning as it would freeze in place over night at those temperatures. Once the cows started drinking water in the morning it would work all day.

Stan

 

[6BT-Dakota]

It is called Geothermal heating. Do a Google search and you will find tons of ideas.