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Deering, NH

Can anyone suggest an effective electrical heating unit to raise the temperature of a 50 gallon barrel of 48F well water. Besides painting the barrel black.

1/14/2025 11:33:00 AM

Sequim, WA

Have you looked into aquarium heaters?

1/14/2025 8:39:38 PM

Syracuse, NY

I Googled 55-gallon water drum heater and they are out there, in many styles and costs; I liked the ones at Grainger and you could look at each TYPE there such as the Immersion Heaters and the cozy, barrel-wrapping type. I'm sure you'll find one on Google by setting the 'Shopping' settings just-right. No, no experience with, butt they are just like one in a water heater, of course, with a thermostat and a good range.
eg

https://www.grainger.com/category/material-handling/storage-workspace/drums-pails-ibc-totes-tanks/heaters-insulators-for-drums-ibc-totes-pails?searchQuery=55-gallon+drum+heater&sst=4&leafCatRedirect=true&searchBar=true&tier=Tier+4

1/14/2025 8:46:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

Water trough heater for large animals? Horses, cows, they gotta drink during the winter, it keeps their water from freezing.

1/14/2025 10:12:03 PM

Lloydminster/AB

We can get these at the agricultural supply store.
https://www.amazon.ca/UL-Listed-Temperature-Controller-Immersion-Gallons/dp/B0BVRGCYWG/ref=asc_df_B0BVRGCYWG?tag=bingshopdesk-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80882915562118&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482479702083&th=1

1/14/2025 10:54:53 PM

I. Falls, Minn

It is going to cost$$ to heat it. I have 54 degree well water. I use two 300 gal totes. I use one while the other one is warming. A couple more black barrels might work.

1/15/2025 8:01:55 AM

Deering, NH

Thanks everyone for the help. I noticed (GoPro camera over a 4 hr period loop) 2/3 of the way through the growing season that the plants really responded when I warmed up the fertilization water. I generate my own electricity so I am leaning towards electric tank heaters.

[Last edit: 01/15/25 9:12:16 AM]

1/15/2025 9:09:48 AM

Deering, NH

Thanks everyone for the help.

[Last edit: 01/15/25 9:15:45 AM]

1/15/2025 9:14:26 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You would be better off with a solar pool heater set up and recirculating the water until your reach the temperature you want.

1/16/2025 7:34:02 PM

Lloydminster/AB

You could pump it through a cheap chinese tankless water heater. Run on a propane bottle and ignite with 2 D cells. It works well.
I have one of these.
https://www.eccotemp.com/l10-3-0-gpm-portable-outdoor-tankless-water-heater/
They time out after 17 minutes. I water in a 15 minute cycle and no problems.
Plants don’t like cold water.

1/16/2025 11:44:49 PM