freeze proof concrete stock tanks

Help Support Steer Planet:

sue

Well-known member
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
1,906
I was going to try the tire with concrete in bottom, with the idea I would have water source to mulitple runs. I hope to get this all together before winter? 
 

Lucky_P

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Messages
326
Have done a dozen or so around the farm like this:
http://extension.missouri.edu/adair/tiretanks.aspx
They're tough, cows/bulls can't really hurt the tire, they will freeze in winter, but the black rubber absorbs sunlight and will thaw them some.  Miscreants can even shoot 'em with a rifle, and I don't think it would hurt them.

But, rather than concrete or bentonite, what we did was purchase rubber truckbed mats (1/4", maybe), cut a circle large enough to overlap the rimhole by 4 " on each side - we usually were able to get at least two from each mat.  Plumb piping up through the rimhole, fill the area up to the bead with pea gravel, cut a hole in the mat a bit smaller than the pipe, and slide the mat over the pipe(pretty tight seal).  Run a liberal bead of silicone caulk around the bead and screw the mat down to the inside of tirewall with roofing screws and a screw gun.
Gravity flow water from upland ponds, here; you need a full-flow valve like the A.Y. McDonald cup/ball/arm type to handle the algae, tadpoles, etc. that may come through.

Have had a few that the cows/calves have managed to break the pipe/fittings on from time to time, but PVC(I used Schedule 80) is a pretty easy fix.  Biggest issue has been with them grabbing the float and breaking stuff. 
Had one that I had to dig out under and fix a broken pipe below ground - still wasn't too bad.  Have not had one(yet) that I've had to totally dismantle, but it'd be easier than if I'd poured a big slab of concrete in the bottom, if I had to.
Still have about 5 paddocks that I need to put one in...

Put in one of the big concrete tanks a number of years ago, back when we were still chasing 'government $$$';  I think my cost for the tank, labor, trenching and laying pipe was still about $800 even after the cost-share deal.  The tires are FREE - they're usually glad to get them gone so that they don't have to pay disposal/recycling fees on them. 
NRCS has supported putting in hundreds of tire waterers over in eastern KY - but our local office wouldn't even consider them...so, I've done 'em on my own dime.
 
Top