rubbermaid stock tanks ?

[needstoknowmore]

I've been eyeing a 50 gallon rubbermaid stock tank. I really like the thought of using a drain plug de-icer. Keeps it farther out of reach of the animals. The problem is the 50 gallon tank doesn't come with a drain hole. One can get drain plug kits. But I am a little leary of cutting a hole in the trough. Would a hole saw cut a hole without damaging the tank??

[Jennifer L.]

I've never done it, but yes, I'd do it with a hole saw and not worry about it. Just be careful, is all. Should be fine.

Jennifer

[SolarGary]

Hi,
Some ideas that might let you get rid of the heater?
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...ng.htm#Animals

The first one appears to use a Rubbermaid tank.

Gary

[Macybaby]

I got the kind that sinks, then built a frame around the entire tank with one hole cut in it for drinking. The cord for the heater was over on the other side so the buttheads couldn't get at it. I had insulation wrapped around the tank before installing the cover. It was four sides screwed together and the cover went on top. That way it was easy to remove once the weather got warm and was stored until the next year.

I had one butthead that just would not leave the heater alone. He would just about go snorkling for it if he could see it. He would peel the float off the tank too, so in the summer I had to change the fence so one end of the tank was on the other side of the hot wires to keep away from it. This horse also figured out how to turn the lights on and off in the barn. We had to put a cover of the switch that we had thought was far enough away from the half door. It is amazing how far they can reach!

I know how electric automatice waters, so this is no longer an issue with the bigger stock.

BTW- all my poly stock tanks came with threaded drain holes already in them. I've now got two with cracks in the bottom from getting frozen in the winter. They make good chick brooders though.

Cathy

[vezoo]

I have used a hole saw to install, a heater in metal tanks, but don't see why you couldn't do it with a polly tank.