Metal Stock Tanks

[Mark T]

I bought a 300 gallon metal stock tank at a farm auction.

I was hoping to use it to water my cow and calf over the winter and get rid of the daily carrying of water buckets to the barn. But my father tells me that metal stock tanks will rupture if they freeze. He says that when a layer of ice freezes on top, the rest of the water will continue to expand as it freezes, and with no where to go, will split the tank.

It strikes me that the metal ought to be strong enough to resist the pressure, but what do I know?

Has anyone had this happen? Fact or fiction?

[travis91]

thats why they make heaters

[littlebitfarm]

I've never let one freeze solid. They have done fine with a 4" layer of ice all around.

Kathie

[dseng]

Fill a paper cup full of water and freeze it - which way does it expand? Why UP of course. Same thing happens in a metal tank with an open top.

[GrannieD]

I've not had that happen...as long as it can expand up-ward it doesn't split the tank...you do have to be careful taking the hatchet to the ice to open it for the animals...I've seen tanks split that way...I use them for the ponies & in my climate generally have melting each day & they don't freeze to the bottom..Up north we used a tank heater using corn cobs that set under the end of the tank & could fire up as needed to melt ice..I keep my hoses drained so there is no need to carry water to fill a tank...I have used electric heaters in the tank also, I'm using smaller tanks now so run water more often ...GrannieD

[LisaInN.Idaho]

We don't have tank heaters, we're off the grid..but I've never had a tank rupture when it freezes.

[Ozarks_1]

I've seen numerous containers split when water froze inside them, including an old pressure canner we were using as a dog waterer.

Tank heaters are cheaper than buying another tank.

[gccrook]

If it were tio freeze solid, it certainly could split the tank. 300 gallons or even 200 gallons will not freeze solid overnight unless you live where the temperatures dip to -50 or some such, in which case a tank heater is a must. If you go out and break up the ice on the top (must be done to allow animals to drink), then it will not freeze solid. However, if you do not want to go out every day to break up ice, then again, you need a tank heater.

[Windy in Kansas]

To prevent rupture you simply add a chunk of log as it will take the pressure.

I have known some to place a barrel vertically in the center of their stock tank, fill it partially with rubble to prevent floating, covern it to prevent rain and snow from filling it, and then allowing it to take the freezing pressure of the ice.

Here is another thought for you and everyone else. I heard last year that if you bury a culvert vertically under the tank it will bring enough warmth from underground to prevent the tank from freezing. I don't have first hand knowledge of it, but that might be worth a try.

Best of course is a tank heater, LP gas, wood, etc.