Freeze resistant water tank for under $100 reduces daily water work load by 70%.

How to build a freeze resistant water tank that doesn't require power, operates in zero degree weather and costs under $100 in materials.
Skip to the material list: 2:55
Skip to the start of the build: 6:44
It can be adapted for any variety of animals with different construction of the base - this video isn't about that but about the actual tank build.
I prototype'd this design last winter and after several weeks of sustained below freezing weather it still works every time. We now use these for all our hog sets on pasture during the winter. I'm sure someone far enough north would get it to freeze solid but for us here in Virginia it's been a time and money saver.
~For the sake of time as this was getting long, I trimmed out explanations for the extra pieces you see. They are glued together to make different stems to screw in the front if the unit. Free flow for the winter and threaded for a float valve in the summer. ~
Links below to the critical pieces, everything else can be found at a hardware store and IBC's are available just about anywhere.
Let me see your designs should you use this!
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Link to the valve: amzn.to/2G6sRjG
Link the the reducer: amzn.to/2Ux3L0w

[@rosalieroku3818]

So you need to open the top ice to allow air to flow in. But I bet it would help to just poke a small hole and let the rest of the ice stay on top as a blanket. Over the void that the air just rushed into. That's the Eskimos and igloos. Could cut it just big enough for refilling.

[@lordsofpondland]

Genius idea. Such a great way to get water in winter for those of us in the right climates. Thanks for sharing!

[@ks_hunter7327]

You should make a short of using air hose for water distribution.

[@juliobernal5104]

Awesome. I am going to give it a try in Colorado

[@1d1hamby]

Came from Justin's channel to watch your videos.

[@elizabethranstrom6800]

So enjoyed Justin’s video with you, so decided to stop by!

[@rochrich1223]

Bonus from the black paint is less algae growth on the inside of the tank.

[@candidethirtythree4324]

Justin sent us, great to have a new farm channel to watch.

[@rosalieroku3818]

Bravo! Very creative design. Modifying a reducer to be a threaded reducer/coupler is brilliant! And like all the best ideas, so obvious in hindsight. Rock on!

[@jacobfarms650]

Just to make sure I understand. The heft from the washers pull the valve open and the bungee closes it? Really brilliant solution.

[@FarmBuilder]

Yes.

[@jenmailsouth4155]

Great idea! Thanks.

[@zfarmandstuff7109]

Thank you!

[@yankey4]

Justin sent me. Thank you for your service!! God Bless..

[@familydrivenfarm]

Love the videos! Good thinking! Thought: You've essentially just made a frost free hose bib. It seems like you could simply place a long stem hose bib with the appropriate length of pipe on it to reach dead center of the tank though a bulkhead.

[@FarmBuilder]

You could, there would be some issues with sealing it and anchoring tightly enough to push and pull on the handle though in my first thoughts about it.

[@RussellMacCulloch913]

I have an idea for you I live off grid in Idaho I'm a mechanical engineer I have thought of but never tried in theory it would work I'm speaking of a 12 volt spark plug you put the spark plug through the plastic and connect the 12 volts to it on the outside you can use a battery and a solar panel and this will heat the water leave it in there long enough to heat it to where it'll scold you but if you use enough of these plugs you can either heat the water or keep it from freezing well that's my thought

[@FarmBuilder]

I don't know if there's enough wattage from the panel to heat the water sufficiently. would be interesting math to run.

[@bonniehatcher8198]

Thank you so much!!!

[@bigfootbubba1425]

13:00 you never showed the valve inside the tank, but I'm thinking it's straight up and down because of the way you showed the valve working before assembling the pieces and how the washers work as a counter weight for closing it once you are finished filling the water. With this setup do you just leave the outside tank valve open because freezing will damaging the valve if closed, or do you close that off too? Or do you rely on the inside valve as the water flow shut off and not risk damage to the master valve by closing it in freezing temps.

[@FarmBuilder]

Correct. The pipe leading to the interior valve passes through the exterior valve so it cannot be be shut. What keeps the water flowing is the only valve is submerged in the relatively warm water of the interior of the tank.

[@keithhogan6997]

Here I am, late to the party. Came over from Justin's video, am now Subscribed to your channel. I'm seriously interested in doing to same here in Oregon. We get a good amount of rain, but I don't see that being an issue, and the winters here in the valleys aren't too bad. Maybe a collaboration of sorts?

[@mccaskillfarmstead4244]

Good stuff! You helped me decide to get pigs! Just subscribed 👍🏼

[@katelutterodt2479]

GOOD JOB, I LIKE JUSTIN TOUR ON YOUR FARM

[@longnamenocansayy]

great idea. so many good things come from simply observing the obvious, which doesn't seem to be so obvious sometimes.

[@edieboudreau9637]

Good clear directions. Hi from Justin. Subbed.

[@shawnmazurk3816]

Justin Rhodes sent me over. Great video

[@donnystephen]

from Justin's channel :)

[@jgriffin7340]

I had one this morning, valve split, no water

[@miragefihaara3421]

Justin Rhodes sent me here.

[@artocain]

Came here from Justin Rhodes and subscribed. Let's go!

[@fooddude9921]

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome!

[@FarmBuilder]

RAH!

[@johnr1350]

Came from Justin’s vid. Well done.

[@nevermindthebull0cks]

What is the R value of water compared to if you simply insulated the tank?

[@tonysorcinelli]

Genius! Got me to thinking, what about using a 14” frost free sillcock? Do you think that would work?

[@FarmBuilder]

probably.

[@elimcdonald1783]

Wicked job Jordan! Thanks for sharing your projects and wisdom with us, as always it appreciated!

[@FarmBuilder]

Thanks Eli.

[@robbiepearson5719]

Justin sent me like the video.

[@kiddfamilyfarmllc9962]

Nice, Great job way to use your thinking cap

[@Billpeplinski]

saw you on justins channel so i subscribed

[@CPLBSS88]

12v pond circulation pump, 12v gel battery, 12v PV panel (morningstar makes good cheap charge controllers), 12v heater element... problem solved for around the same price.

[@FarmandHammer]

I’m glad you are making videos again! One of my favorite channels on KZbin!

[@FarmBuilder]

Thank you!

[@ToddFlannery]

FarmBuilder just watched Justin Jhodess vid want to give ya some love keep it up

[@EvaJurisson]

Okay so now I need to go back and watch all of your videos. Awesome job. thanks for the information. Justin and Rebecca sent me.

[@croix50]

Hi Jordan, saw you on Justin’s channel.. I have two IBC containers… I’m not sure what was previously in them… Any recommendations on cleaning them out?

[@Marlito4U]

if you don’t know don’t use it better safe then sorry

[@stonecropfarm]

Jordan, we've been using these successfully for 2 winters in upstate NY and they've been great. Do you have method for repairing or replacing a broken/clogged valve without cutting a huge opening into the IBC tank?

[@FarmBuilder]

Add a threaded union on the stem so it can come back apart.

[@stonecropfarm]

Any chance you have a picture of what you mean? The stem outlet has a threaded union, but won't fit back into through the original outlet of the tank. Saw this as a potential problem down the road, but hadn't figured out a clear solution yet, other than cutting the stem and losing an inch of pipe for now.

[@jasonsimmons7335]

So you are closing and opening the internal valve with the bungee cord??

[@FarmBuilder]

Exactly.

[@workingclasshero7239]

Great video Jordan yeah it got cold enough here in Minnesota but, still gotta get the work done. Take care keep making videos . Thanks

[@FarmBuilder]

Way to get after it!

[@WholesomeFamilyFarms]

Great video! Yeah that could work some of the time up here in MN!

[@carminiaovalle4520]

This is awesome! Thank you!

[@jeremysmothers5143]

Is the water still able to freeze up close to the big outside valve and still bust it or crack it with this set up…you didn’t solve that problem with this setup I’m assuming right? Like the water can’t still freeze up against the big valve and possibly crack it ?

[@markpennella]

Have u made any improvements sinc3 this video?

[@FarmBuilder]

Actually our last 2 winters have been so warm we haven't even had to use them.

[@hanorabrennan8846]

Please tell me where you were born as I can't place the accent?

[@farmermom]

Not sure it'll work up here in Maine ;-) But I am sharing with my other cattle friends in parts of the country where it WILL work! Smart and ingenious design!

[@FarmBuilder]

Y'all get real winters!

[@rosalieroku3818]

​@@FarmBuilder Well if it freezes up, it shouldn't burst with the center void. And so low cost, it's worth a shot. If one freezes up, just haul out another one. This is what the word ingenious was invented for.

[@actionkey8042]

hi from russian

[@vashdastampedeo]

A possible way to save you just a little bit of extra time. Use a water agitator in the IBC tote and it will not allow the water to freeze. Sounds weird but it works! Pretty much you build the IBC tote in this way but then you put in 2-3 water bottles 60% full of water with TONS of salt in them. Heavily salty water won't freeze, which allows it to bob in the water tank and stop freeze from happening. We use this method and it saves needing to break up the ice prior to use, it also works in our -30 and below temperatures.. so you know it works! I boil almost a cup of salt in an old general size hand plastic water bottle, after the salt is dissolved I pour it into the water bottle 60-70% full. Glue+screw the cap on and tape it so its fully sealed. It doesn't need to ever come off again, you'll reuse it "forever". Pop the salted bottle in the IBC tote and it'll "bob" at the top of the water indefinitely, it'll always come to the top and it'll always be bobbing and thus agitating the water enough so the top of the water cannot freeze. It is amazing! I started using a tiny version for my chicken waterer and it kept it from freezing over in the barn, then tried on a large scale for my pig IBC tote waterer and it worked the same. Really handy for people figuring out the fidget winter waterers!

[@knyggaplease1222]

Given that all of the components are PVC and not subject to corrosion, would there be any harm in adding around a pound of rock salt to every fresh full tank to both lower the freezing point and consolidate your mineral supplementation? I'm not sure how the pigs would take it, but it seems like the cows might love it. Alternatively, dropping a whole mineral lick inside might accomplish the same thing with broader coverage, and the low temperature of the water would prohibit excessive salinity, as the saturation point would also be very low. Thoughts?

[@gregholl5011]

I would figure out how much mineral they would use in a fill and only use that much or maybe a bit less since they won't necessarily use all the water but they will get all the minerals.

[@rosalieroku3818]

Excellent idea. Simple, low cost, low risk. Very creative thinkers on this channel.

[@bruceshearer1719]

Well done...thanks

[@resourcefulgirl]

Thanks for the information. Any thoughts on taking advantage of thermal mass by partially enclosing the tank by earth?

[@DryEau]

Do you use this set up in the summer months as well? Or do you pull out the pvc pipe and removed the reducer?

[@twc9000]

Great idea. I think painting the IBC totes black will also reduce the amount of algae that will grow in the totes by reducing the amount of sunlight that can get through.

[@jasondagosta417]

OK. I'm going to build one. few questions. I watcher the video multiple times to make sure I'm not missing anything, but I am. I didn't see you use the 1ft. pieces of PVC. I assume you are going up a foot or so from the internal valve. Is that right. Also, didn't see you use the other 2 90 degree adapters. What are those for? Also the 45 PVC coupling? Thanks in advance!

[@FarmBuilder]

Those were for external spouts. Not needed for the tank build.

[@petersamios5409]

Thanks. I'm also looking at adding a small solar panel to either add heat and/or an agitator - maybe the small harbor freight solution - 100 watts and a small battery.

[@islandgardener158]

Ingenious!

[@scubahealer]

Justin sent me

[@LetTheWritersWrite]

Pretty ingenious! Are you an engineer by day?

[@FarmBuilder]

No, but I do enjoy solving mechanical problems.

[@rosalieroku3818]

I agree. Very creative thinking!

[@VolMedic-ET]

This is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing. I will definetly be building a few for northeast TN winter this year.

[@TheZCBolger]

Clever

[@lechatbotte.]

Where in VA that’s where I’m at!

[@FarmBuilder]

Edinburg.

[@dabbydoodle4801]

Guess I'm not understanding why you dont just put plastic covered styrofoam 2 inch thick insulation around sides and bottom and removable same on the top. Take it off in the warm weather seasons.

[@rosecoward3292]

Kerick Valves come in 3/4 or 1 inch? Which one did you us?

[@traceyosterlind14]

Love your ingenuity!

[@terrykunst3883]

Awesome build!

[@brianhester1996]

What valve do you use to shut the water off when it's freezing, the outlet or internal valve?

[@FarmBuilder]

Internal.

[@thereturningshadow]

What was that black sludge that came out when you tilted the tank?

[@FarmBuilder]

Soy sauce.

[@thereturningshadow]

@@FarmBuilder Really? or are you being sarcastic?

[@FarmBuilder]

No, it was soy sauce that was in them. What came out had been sitting there for awhile and somewhat evaporated.

[@rosalieroku3818]

​@@FarmBuilder Soy sauce won't freeze. Problem solved. Just gotta feed em Chinese food.

[@andrewvare3173]

Fuck yeah metal

[@FarmBuilder]

ROCK ON.

[@philipedwards8762]

Enjoyed the segment

[@christiancowboy352]

The problem with this is you will only have access to a few gallons of water

[@FarmBuilder]

Maybe if in very cold areas. For us in VA it works great with maybe a few inches of ice on top.

[@wellfedfarm720]

Just a dumb question. I saw the elbows and short pipe. Do you angle it further up so it wont freeze?

[@FarmBuilder]

Those are for a stem outside the tank to the animal trough.

[@zfarmandstuff7109]

What are the short pieces of pvc and other fittings used for?

[@FarmBuilder]

To make stems to screw in the front.

[@marissaramos8950]

Great video!!

[@d4t4b4s3f4c3]

you can also siphon out of the top with a hose as long as the tank is elevated enough. the black paint is also a great idea

[@EricLuyckxNethen]

yes i use a simple siphon also :-)

[@alexleonovich6902]

Where do you purchase your IBC totes and how much do they cost? New/Used? Thanks.

[@FarmBuilder]

craigslist. Typically can get like new condition ones for $50

[@willthomsen7569]

SO sick hahahaaa smart man 👍🏻👍🏻

[@RockswithVox]

I’ve found it difficult to fit the PVC adapter/reducer into the IBC tote valve as the PVC adapter’s diameter is generally too large for the various IBC tote valves I’ve used. I wonder if the PVC adapter I use has thinker side walls? It appears I’m using the exact same parts. Has anyone had that problem?

[@RockswithVox]

At 8:49 is the part I’ve found that the pvc adapter doesn’t fit inside the valve

[@FarmBuilder]

It must be unique to the valve you have. Are the threads matching what your tank is?

[@rosalieroku3818]

Schedule 40/ schedule 80? Schedule 40 has thinner walls.

[@johnpike9612]

Question, why not just eliminate the ball valve and get a 3"-1" reducer?

[@FarmBuilder]

Would be unnecessary extra peices and cost.

[@popacresranchandfarm]

How do you fill the IBC tote?

[@FarmBuilder]

With other IBC's carried with a skidsteer. One fill up lasts about a week.

[@leegodfrey3490]

Very interesting gonna try this one a 1500 gallon storage tank

[@rosecoward3292]

Then surround the tank with bales of straw or hay for insulation. Include the simple cheap suggestion by @vashdastampedeo of tossing a few soda bottles filled 60-70% with heavily salted water to continuously bob in the water at the top of the tank preventing an ice layer from forming.