tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post6546299129008455583..comments2024-03-23T10:59:54.394-06:00Comments on The 7MSN Ranch: Saturday encore ~ Solar-heated water trough product reviewthe7msnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01082802012105875164noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-12636920900153849652011-11-05T09:53:51.062-06:002011-11-05T09:53:51.062-06:00Building an insulated and heated water trough is a...Building an insulated and heated water trough is at the top of my DIY projects list. There is a great source of ideas to be found on building a solar powered stock tank:<br /><br />http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm#Animals<br /><br />I saw what you did with your chicken palace so I know you could easily handle building one if these yourself if the need ever arises.The Dancing Donkeyhttp://www.thedancingdonkey.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-34983561068865792672011-11-05T09:16:32.634-06:002011-11-05T09:16:32.634-06:00I'm trying a new experiment this year: after c...I'm trying a new experiment this year: after cutting heating costs last year by simply putting a sheet of plywood over most of the top of my THREE 70/100 gallon tanks (and only filling them to about 50/70 gallons), this year I splurged on duplicate tanks ($200), wrapped one of each pair in tech-foil (essentially insulated bubble wrap), shaped a piece of foam insulation for the bottom, and dropped the insulated tank into the other tank. I'll do the plywood on top again, and, since I had to replace one tank heater anyway, I'm going to try a 500 watt to see if that'll work with the extra help from the insulation. I'll keep you posted.EvenSonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032555334605790413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-11837370506414774852011-11-05T08:25:16.692-06:002011-11-05T08:25:16.692-06:00"...if unable to DUE so..."??? Sounds li..."...if unable to DUE so..."??? Sounds like English Second Language folks wrote this. And the colors. I've had $19.95 blenders that came with more professionally done manuals.<br />But it seems to due the job LOL.Lesliehttp://www.onewomanshands.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-76565043070765575172011-11-05T07:42:36.261-06:002011-11-05T07:42:36.261-06:00I agree with Leah - the instructions look like the...I agree with Leah - the instructions look like they should be accompanying a child's ten dollar toy not a $500 piece of livestock equipment. Just out of curiosity did you ever contact the company about shipping delays and sloppy workmanship? <br /><br />Here's an even better idea!!! After all you have accomplished with your chicken palace you could design a make it your self version and we could buy the plans from you!! Hee hee!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-46754886961058282562011-11-05T07:40:45.354-06:002011-11-05T07:40:45.354-06:00I thought about my thermostat idea and realized th...I thought about my thermostat idea and realized the temperature for it to turn on should probably be more like 33 F to prevent freezing because the ice starts expanding just as soon as it turns solid. Additionally, having the tank partially below ground level would probably prevent/reduce freezing as well. Now you have me curious, I should build a system....esbbostonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09946279220170973147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-63490405755831950732011-11-05T07:27:05.219-06:002011-11-05T07:27:05.219-06:00I would doubt that it is a product that is either ...I would doubt that it is a product that is either patented OR if they have a patent on it that the patent(s) are defendable, if thats the correct legal term. A stock tank painted black on the south side and insulated on the sides that didn't receive sunlight might work pretty well. It would be a better design to incorporate an electric heater with a thermostat that would sense a below freezing temperature inside the tank to keep the system from freezing solid and breaking. That way it would only use electricity when it really needed to in extreme situations.esbbostonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09946279220170973147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-18566625604150497362011-11-05T05:54:10.063-06:002011-11-05T05:54:10.063-06:00As a fellow graphic design snob, I must say the in...As a fellow graphic design snob, I must say the instruction look like they're for Rockin' Ranch Barbie's new barn than for an actual product.<br /><br />When the horses are here, we just use the $10 electric coil. Life on a shoestring ...Leah Fryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18158981037468411293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771557388430184941.post-21140824816624425132011-11-05T05:42:28.760-06:002011-11-05T05:42:28.760-06:00I am married to an electrical engineer and if we h...I am married to an electrical engineer and if we had horses and found a heated trough necessary he could totally make this on the cheap. Sloppy is as sloppy does. Hope someone competes with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com