Insulating a galvanized stock tank

bja105 · #1 10/30/14, 02:39 PM

I have galvanized stock tank under the drip edge of the run in shed. Rain and snow melt usually fill it, or I run a hose to it as needed. I use a submersible heater to keep it from freezing.
I want to insulate it somehow, at least the sides and bottom. I was thinking about a plywood box and pink foam insullation. If I get the gutters and downspouts on the shed, I might run the downspout into the tank, then partially cover the top, too.

Does anyone have any other ideas, or pics?

Ceilismom · #2 10/30/14, 03:46 PM

Take a look at spray foam, and see how it pencils out with cost, time, durability and R value compared to the plywood and pink foam. Black paint on whatever you decide to use might save you a little electricity.

myheaven · #3 10/30/14, 04:25 PM

I used treated t1-11 to do mine. Dh even made a top. And kept one potion open for the animals to drink from. We used the pink insulation. It worked great!!!!! Reduced our electric bill by like 40 bucks to have it covered. The water was always warm and open. My vet loved the set up so much she did the same thing. For the bottom we used pallets with the pink board insulation.

msscamp · #4 10/30/14, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bja105

I have galvanized stock tank under the drip edge of the run in shed. Rain and snow melt usually fill it, or I run a hose to it as needed. I use a submersible heater to keep it from freezing.
I want to insulate it somehow, at least the sides and bottom. I was thinking about a plywood box and pink foam insullation. If I get the gutters and downspouts on the shed, I might run the downspout into the tank, then partially cover the top, too.

Does anyone have any other ideas, or pics?

Take a look at this:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/s...#axzz3HgjIeGlp

sammyd · #5 10/30/14, 11:52 PM

Built. a box around one once. Filled with pink foam, covered with plywood. Left one side open, sprayed the tank black and put some old window on it.
Tried covering the top with a piece of foam with a hole in it. Lowered the electric bill a bit but the steers were hard on it and it didn't last for a second winter.