Best Stock Tank Heater and Deicer (Reviews) 2021
There are times during the frigid winter months where your stock tank may reach freezing temperatures, causing ice to form on the surface of the water, resulting in livestock not having drinkable water from their tanks.
So what can you do? You can invest in a water heating system such as a tank heater or de-icer to stop your water from freezing over without having to manualy break the ice yourself.
We’ve listed and reviewed the 5 best stock tank heaters and de-icers for your livestock and animal water supply below.
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Top 5 Rated Comparison Table
Image | Heater | Watts | Submersible | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cell | Editors Choice | 1500 | No, floating | |
1500 | No, floating | |||
1000 | Yes | |||
1200 | Yes, can be used floating too | |||
1500 | Yes |
Reviews of the Best Stock Tank Heaters and Deicers
Miller designs innovative, high-quality farm products that are intended to make your life easier even when you haven’t chosen an easy lifestyle. Their products are guaranteed to help you keep your livestock happier and healthier.
With this de-icer, keeping your livestock water warm and healthy throughout the colder fall and winter months will be simple. The 1500 watt element will keep you ice free even in the depths of winter.
It’s tested and fully-certified to exceed the USA/CA electrical safety standards and comes with a two-year limited warranty
Pros
- Uses 1500 watts of power to de-ice 100 to 300 gallon stock tanks
- Automatically responds to temperature changes and will shut off or on as needed
- Includes a free cord clip to keep animals away from the power cord
- Tested and certified to exceed USA/CA electrical safety standards
- Comes with a two-year limited warranty
Cons
- Some quality control issues
If you need a high-quality de-icer for your large stock tank or pond, this model from Allied Precision is a fantastic option to meet your needs. It’ll float around the surface of your water and keep ice from forming or will melt ice that has already formed, allowing your water to flow naturally.
This de-icer is great for larger stock tanks and ponds, and uses about 1,500 watts of power to properly de-ice the surface of the water. It has an automatic shut-off and is thermostatically controlled, so you won’t have to worry about the water getting too hot or too cold.
Pros
- Floating de-icer and heater that keeps sections of your tank’s surface clear of ice
- Has a 1,500-watt motor that uses a standard 110-volt outlet
- Thermostatically controlled with an automatic shut off
- Is great for stock tanks or ponds
- Comes with a full one-year warranty
Cons
- The unit does not come with a protective guard to prevent burning or melting
Another great heater by Allied Precision is this 742G Bucket Water Heater. Don’t be fooled by the name - this powerful little unit can heat more than just a pail or bucket of water. It needs to be fully submerged in at least nine inches of water to work properly.
The stainless steel guard of this heater helps to keep it from melting pond liners and plastic containers, so you won’t have any warping in your tank or pond. It’s designed for continuous, heavy-duty work and has an automatic shut-off feature that prevents overheating.
Pros
- Features an automatic shut-off that helps to prevent overheating, and automatically comes on when the water temperature drops
- Safe for use in pails, buckets, tanks, and ponds with at least nine inches of water
- Won’t melt plastics
- Has a stainless steel guard
- Designed for continuous, heavy-duty work
Cons
Not sure if you want a floating or submersible heater or de-icer? Farm Innovators has you covered with this 2-in-1 cast aluminum solution. It’s completely safe to use in plastic tanks or lined ponds.
This model is great for warming water and removing snow or ice from the surface of your tank or pond, turning itself on whenever the water temperature drops below a certain point.
Additionally, if you have animals that like to chew on cords, don’t worry. This unit has a heavy-duty, anti-chew cord protector to keep it safe from any curious mouths.
Pros
- 2-in-1 cast aluminum convertible de-icer can be used as a floating de-icer or a submersible heating unit
- Great for snow removal and ice and snow melts
- Thermostatically controlled to operate only when the temperature drops below a certain point
- Safe in plastic tanks
- Features a heavy-duty anti-chew cord protector
Cons
This de-icer from Farm Innovators is a drain plug model that works with all Rubbermaid stock tanks, so if you have one or are planning to get one, this is a great solution for your needs, specifically.
It uses 1,500 watts of power but only does so when the temperature drops below a certain predetermined point. It’s incredibly easy to install, though you may want to swap out the washers that come with it for something a bit more pliable.
Pros
- This de-icer is usable with the drain plug of all Rubbermaid stock tanks
- 1,500 watts of power
- Safe for use in plastic tanks and easy to install
- Thermostatically controlled to operate only when needed
- Does not require the cord to be in the water when used with Rubbermaid stock tanks
Cons
Deicers and Heaters for Stock Tanks Buying Considerations
When it’s time for you to start shopping for stock tank heaters or de-icers, there are several things that you need to consider before making your purchase. There are different types of heating systems, and you will need to consider the number of gallons of water in your tank. You should also look for temperature control features and consider the safety and efficiency of the models that you’re considering.
Types
No two heaters or de-icers are the same, and some may work better than others for your pond, fish, and needs. But you still should know what kinds of heaters and de-icers there are to choose from. Primarily, you will have a choice between submerged models and floating models.
Submerged
Submerged heaters are installed at the bottom of your pond at its lowest point, where possible. These are great options if your pond has a shallower depth, as it will keep your fish and their water warm and circulated. These heaters may keep your water warm enough to keep ice from forming at the surface, though with deeper ponds and tanks you may still need to purchase a de-icer to help supplement it.
Floating
Floating de-icers and heaters work differently. As you may have guessed, these models float on the surface of the water, which helps to keep the nearby area free and clear of ice. These won’t raise the temperature of your whole pond, but they are great for creating holes in the ice where the gases in the water can be exchanged for fresh oxygen.
They often operate on the water temperature, only turning on when the water drops below a certain point, so in a way, they help to conserve energy. Typically, unless you have a particularly small pond, they won’t keep the entire surface of it clear, but it will be enough to help your fish and plants survive.
Wattage
One of the biggest deciding factors of what kind of pond de-icer or stock tank heater you get is the volume of water to heat. The larger the water, the more wattage your heater and de-icer will need to properly maintain the water temperature. As long as you have a rough idea of gallons in your tank, you’ll be able to determine what strength heater you will need.
Temperature Control
All of the models that we’ve reviewed in this article have some kind of temperature control method to keep your water at the right temperature. But if you venture off to look at heaters and de-icers on your own, keep in mind that finding a unit with temperature control options, whether manually set or dictated by the water’s temperature, is the safest and most effective option for keeping the water right for livestock.
Safety and Efficiency
When you get a heater or de-icer, safety and efficiency should be a primary concern you have. This device is meant to increase the health and longevity of your water supply.
You don’t want to completely overestimate the wattage needed to keep your water from freezing over. This will not only cost you more in terms of your electricity bill but can also have adverse effects on your water by heating it too much and putting livestock or animals off the water.
The Final Word
The best stock tank heaters and de-icers will keep your animals happy and healthy throughout the colder fall and winter months of the year. The heaters we’ve reviewed are guaranteed to get the job done safely and efficiently, but if they don’t seem right for you, feel free to use our buying guide and calculation table to find another model that is more tailored to your needs.