Galvanized vs. Plastic Water Troughs

So we have 2 horses. One has a galvanized round trough and the other has a plastic trough. I'm getting ready to toss both and replace them with two smaller galvanized tanks but I'm curious about a couple things and wanted to know if anyone else has seen this.

1) The plastic tank grows algae much quicker than the galvanized. I assume the metal is not as conducive to the algae as the plastic.

2) The plastic tank attracts flies and the galvanized does not.

I clean both out about every 2 days. Mostly with a strong water hose and then once every 2 weeks or so I get in there with a firm brush to clear the growth out more fully.

Thanks,

I've had both galvanized water tanks and a Rubbermaid tank. Never had issues with Rubbermaid tank attacking fly's. Does seem to get algae in it if in the sun. If I keep it in the shade not much algae grows in it. This time of year I only fill it less then half full it's a 100 gallon tank.

Not a fan of the galvanized tanks one I had always seemed to leak at seams. Sealed it every year and after a winter of use by spring time it was leaking.

I put it at end of driveway for free last weekend along with cages I had. All was taken within 3 hours.

I have a Rubbermaid trough. 20 something gallons and a float device so always full...
I won't have galvanized metal where my horses can stomp on or in it breaking it forget getting cut on a edge.
They rust and split seams as I see from my friends tank. We bought troughs at the same time, mine still is in great condition, galvanized one needing replaced this week at it is seeping.
My trough does get algae in it but it also sits in the hot sun daily.
I clean my trough 2x a week regardless so makes no difference to me...algae or not, slimy or not, green or not...the brush is headed your way. :|

I was told by a friend to put a piece of real copper pipe, not big, a fitting will do and that will near stop the algae growth...lightly scuff the metal if it is new as a coating is on it, wash well then plop in the tank.
In my case, I'm going to suspend it on a fishing line so my horses not play or lose the fitting on me.
This is a new one for me, never heard it so no idea if it works or not...we shall find out. :smile:
:runninghorse2:...

Another fan of rubbermaid. Don't like and won't purchase the metal for the reasons listed above. They destroy the hay rings over time.



Have to try the copper. The barley bags I think actually encourage the algae. Fish work great if your set up is right but I have a horse fisher or would that be fisher horse? She loves to catch them and swish them around in her mouth before spitting them back in the tank. Kind of like apple bobbing only live apples. Torture to the poor fishies.

That is sad and funny at the same time. Thanks

Maybe the copper might work in a different region with different weather.. but I can tell you here in PA, the copper didn't do a thing. I experimented some last summer as DH gets various copper scrap from work, and even using a giant section of pipe in our 100 gallon rubbermaid tank didn't make any difference.


We prefer the plastic tank for safety reasons.

If you buy the junk plastic tanks they crack well because there junk. If it isn't Rubbermaid it isn't worth the money spent.

Rubbermaid troughs are indestructible one I have has frozen solid. When tank heater quit at 50 below zero. That has happened quite a few times ,tank isn't cracked or compromise in anyway.

My Rubbermaid trough is going strong 20 plus years ,been through many brutally cold Minnesota winter's.

I like the Rubbermaid troughs, too, but I wouldn't call them indestructible. Just ask my cribber. She's been working on this trough a couple of years and has torn it down the sides in several places. I have to keep it tied to a post so she doesn't pull it over when the water level drops. It only holds about 3/4 the water it used to hold. All things considered, she can have the trough as long as she leaves my barn alone. In another year or so, I might even have to replace this trough. I'll get another Rubbermaid.

All of mine are Rubbermaid and while they last a long time they aren't indestructible. I think the way they changed the design on the 100 gallon tanks will help. Mine would always crack in that top rib (for lack of a better word) and now it's smooth sided until you get down to the drain plug area. And that's what I like best about them, being able to use a drain plug heater in the winter. The knotheads can't toss those out of their tank like they do the floating heaters.

My metal tank split at the seams when the power went out to the heater and it froze and then I turned it back on. I bought a rubber one, it does get algae but so did the metal one. It is much easier to clean and lighter.

Have had a Rubbermaid for about 30 years and still going strong.
Love the fact you can put the submersible heater in the provided threaded drain plug.
Once a week a quick splash of bleach and a hosing keeps it clean.

Another fan of Rubbermaid. I also use them for feed troughs, and they might get scraped up a bit from horses grabbing them and shaking trying to get my attention for more feed, but I have never had to toss one.

Yea, now that I think of it, I have holes drilled in my feeder so I can hose it down every day. They are tough, but really useful because you can cut and drill them.

wgregb said:

So we have 2 horses. One has a galvanized round trough and the other has a plastic trough. I'm getting ready to toss both and replace them with two smaller galvanized tanks but I'm curious about a couple things and wanted to know if anyone else has seen this.

1) The plastic tank grows algae much quicker than the galvanized. I assume the metal is not as conducive to the algae as the plastic.

2) The plastic tank attracts flies and the galvanized does not.

I clean both out about every 2 days. Mostly with a strong water hose and then once every 2 weeks or so I get in there with a firm brush to clear the growth out more fully.

Thanks,

Click to expand...

Personally, our favorite were old porcelain bath tubs (porcelain covered iron tubs). We had one in each pasture, except where they had access to a pond. Vary sanitary, easy to clean and they last forever (well, longer than any of us will live LOL).

I have several Tuff Stuff tanks and they last pretty well. Mine are going on 17 years old and haven't had to replace them yet. I use 1" chlorine tabs (from the pool store) about 1 every 2-3 weeks in summer to keep the algae down. My tanks are all from 110 to 180 gals and we dump them and clean them weekly. The steel ones don't seem to last as long and cost considerably more.