6 Best Submersible Tank Heaters For Cattle Troughs That Old-Timers Swear By
Keep your cattle’s water ice-free. We review the 6 best submersible tank heaters that seasoned ranchers have relied on for decades for their durability.
There’s a certain kind of quiet on a farm at 5 AM in January, right before the sun comes up. If you hear the thud of an axe hitting solid ice in the water trough, you know someone didn’t plan ahead. Keeping livestock hydrated through the winter isn’t just a chore; it’s a critical part of animal husbandry that directly impacts their health and your peace of mind. A reliable stock tank heater isn’t a luxury—it’s one of the most essential pieces of winter gear you’ll own.
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Why a Dependable Tank Heater is Non-Negotiable
Water is the engine of life, especially when it’s cold. Cattle and other livestock need massive amounts of water to digest dry winter feed like hay, and a frozen trough brings that process to a screeching halt. Dehydration in winter is a real and dangerous threat that can lead to impaction, weight loss, and a weakened immune system.
The alternative to a good heater is manual labor in the worst possible conditions. Hauling buckets of hot water or breaking thick ice with a sledgehammer every morning gets old fast. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about reclaiming your time and energy for more important tasks. A dependable de-icer automates the single most frustrating winter chore.
Think of it as an investment in your animals’ well-being and your own sanity. The cost of a single vet visit for a dehydrated, impacted cow will dwarf the cost of a quality heater. It’s a classic case of spending a little now to save a lot—in money, time, and stress—later.
Farm Innovators C-500: The Workhorse De-Icer
When you need pure, brute-force melting power, this is the kind of unit old-timers have relied on for decades. The Farm Innovators C-500 is a heavy, submersible de-icer made from cast aluminum. It’s built to sit on the bottom of the tank and radiate heat, plain and simple.
With 1500 watts of power, this heater is designed for business. It’s best suited for larger metal or concrete tanks (100 to 300 gallons) where you need to keep a significant volume of water from freezing solid in a deep cold snap. Its internal thermostat kicks on only when the water temperature drops near freezing, so it’s not running needlessly on a mild day.
The key thing to remember is that this is a powerful, hot-running unit. It is absolutely not for plastic or poly tanks, as the concentrated heat can warp or melt the material. For an old galvanized steel trough in a tough northern winter, however, this thing is practically bulletproof.
API 15N Submersible Heater: Simple & Built to Last
Here’s another classic that follows the same philosophy: do one job and do it well. The API 15N is a 1500-watt submersible heater known for its rugged simplicity. There are no fancy features, just a durable stainless-steel heating element and a reliable thermostat.
This model is built with the realities of a farm in mind. The heavy-duty cord is often spring-wrapped at the base to deter curious animals from chewing on it, a small detail that saves major headaches. The guard around the heating element helps dissipate heat and offers some protection, but like the C-500, it’s intended for metal and concrete tanks only.
You choose a heater like the 15N when you value reliability over everything else. It’s the kind of tool you plug in come November and unplug in March, trusting it to work without fuss. It’s not the most energy-efficient model on the market, but its track record for lasting multiple seasons makes it a trusted choice.
K&H Ultimate Stock Tank Deicer for Efficiency
If you’re watching your electric bill, the K&H Ultimate Deicer is a smarter, more modern approach to the problem. Unlike the 1500-watt behemoths, these units come in lower wattages (like 250W, 500W, or 750W) and are designed for efficiency, not overwhelming power. They can be used as a floating or submersible heater.
The secret is in the design and thermostat. It’s engineered to maintain a hole of open water rather than trying to heat the entire tank. For most hobby farm setups, especially in more moderate climates, this is more than enough to ensure your animals can always get a drink. It saves a significant amount of electricity over a long winter.
This is a perfect example of a tradeoff. Will a 500-watt K&H unit keep a 300-gallon steel tank completely ice-free in a Montana blizzard? Probably not. But will it keep your 100-gallon poly tank open for your small herd in a more typical winter, all while being safe for plastic and easy on your wallet? Absolutely.
Behlen Country 1500W Heater for Tough Winters
Behlen Country is a name synonymous with tough farm equipment, and their stock tank heater is no exception. This 1500-watt submersible unit is built for the harshest conditions, where anything less would fail. It’s another heavy-duty heater designed specifically for metal tanks.
What sets it apart is the attention to rugged construction. The materials feel substantial, and the cord is heavily reinforced because Behlen knows what a bored cow or a harsh environment can do. It’s a piece of equipment designed to survive being kicked, frozen, and generally abused.
This is not the heater for a small flock of sheep in a temperate climate; it’s overkill. This is the heater you buy when you live somewhere the wind howls and temperatures stay below zero for weeks at a time. It provides peace of mind that no matter how bad it gets, your livestock will have water.
API 15P Heater: Safe for Poly & Plastic Troughs
Plastic and poly stock tanks are popular for a reason—they’re lightweight, durable, and don’t rust. But they require a specific type of heater. The API 15P is the solution, offering 1500 watts of power in a design that is safe for plastic tanks.
The key difference is the protective cage and overall design. The heating element is kept from making direct contact with the tank walls or bottom, preventing the high temperatures from melting or damaging the plastic. It’s a simple but crucial safety feature that many people overlook.
Don’t make the mistake of tossing a standard metal-tank heater into a poly trough. You risk ruining an expensive tank and creating a dangerous situation. The 15P proves you don’t have to sacrifice heating power for safety; you just need to use the right tool for the job.
Farm Innovators H-418 Floating Tank De-Icer
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. A floating de-icer, like the Farm Innovators H-418, offers a different approach. Instead of sitting on the bottom, it floats on the surface, concentrating its heating power right where ice forms first.
This design has a few practical advantages. First, it’s often more energy-efficient, as many models use lower wattage (this one is 1250W) because they only need to keep a small area at the top clear. Second, you can tell if it’s working at a glance—if it’s floating freely, there’s open water.
The main consideration is that curious animals can sometimes nudge or flip a floating heater, though good designs are weighted to prevent this. They are an excellent choice for smaller tanks or in situations where you just need to guarantee a drinking hole, not a warm bath. They are also generally safe for all tank types, including plastic.
Safety Tips for Your Stock Tank De-Icer Setup
Electricity and water demand respect. The single most important safety rule is to plug your de-icer into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet. This device will shut off the power instantly if it detects a short, preventing electrocution. If you don’t have one, have an electrician install one. It is not optional.
Protect the power cord at all costs. A frayed or chewed cord is a fire and shock hazard. Run the cord through a PVC pipe or other conduit where it leaves the tank to protect it from animals. Try to position the tank so the cord isn’t stretched across a high-traffic area where it can be tripped over or driven on.
Before you install the heater each fall, give it a thorough inspection. Check the cord for any cracks or chew marks and inspect the heating element for excessive mineral buildup. A quick cleaning with vinegar can improve its efficiency. A few minutes of prevention can save you from a catastrophic failure mid-winter.
Choosing the right de-icer isn’t about finding the most powerful one, but the most appropriate one for your trough material, herd size, and climate. A little research now saves you from shivering in the dark with an axe later. Plan ahead, invest in the right tool, and make your winter chores just a little bit easier.
