We have a metal one now, but its rusting and we are wondering whether to get a metal one or a plastic one. Any brand recommendations would also be helpful.
2006-06-20 03:14:20 · 6 answers · asked by jcgirl 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
hey, thanks to those who responded! There is a tractor Supply and a Rural King within a half hour of here, so I'll try there. Thanks!
2006-06-20 03:47:50 · update #1
Bathtubs can be a wreck - if your horses have halters on remove ALL fixtures...too many snag a halter on the fixture with bad results. :-(
Better idea - the rubbermaid type tubs.
Tractor Supply (if you have one near you) has an oval 110 gallon tank for about $55. The rubbermaid poly tanks - 100 gal for $68 on up to 300 gallon for about $188. $120 for a 150 gal tank (common with horses). I used TSC because they're in a lot of locations...but these tanks aren't terribly expensive. They're durable. I knew of one with cattle that cracked and a marine poly sealer easily fixed that. The big thing to watch...the little drain plug remove it as little as possible. It seems those have a tendency to work lose and leak for some reason. The solution is easy - let the water get down to about 1/4 to clean the tank and tip it to dump it out. They're durable, they stand up to hot or cold weather, they hold a lot of water and they're reasonable priced. They're also a lot easier to clean than bathtubs. A 175 gal metal tank at TSC is priced at $107. Personal preference I guess. You can look up the prices yourself online and see if there's a store near you. There maybe other stores that carry them too.
2006-06-20 03:31:29 · answer #1 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As far as commercially produced troughs, I have extensive personal experience with galvanized steel, flat bottom black rubber, and the Grey molded rubber tanks. I prefer the galvanized steel. Unless you truly neglect them they last just as long as any and don't generally rust. I like them because they have the least algae growth in the summer and they are the easiest to bang ice out of in the winter. The black flat bottom tubs are economical, but not very durable. They grow algae like crazy and it involves a small crane or a hernia to dump them for cleaning. I do not like them at all. The big molded rubber ones would be my first choice in a northern climate and my last in a southern. The have the highest level of algae growth and can be a pain to get ice out of... BUT they have a plug hole at the bottom that will accept a bottom mount tank heater. It keeps the heater out of the horses way and allows you to run the cords away from the tank instead of over the lip.
2006-06-20 09:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by flyn4js 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend an automatic watering trough.
2006-06-20 06:57:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could use an old bathtub, the clawfoot ones are nice, also. That's what a friend of mine in Oregon, uses. She set it on cement slabs.
2006-06-20 03:19:18 · answer #4 · answered by charlie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
electric water troughs are nice. In the winter they keep the water warm and they refill themselfs!
2006-06-20 05:34:14 · answer #5 · answered by Taylor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plastic is safer and won't rust. But we use an old bathtub!!
2006-06-20 05:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋