From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

How much of a role does feeding with warm water play? I've seen the black tanks that some of the heavy hitters use to warm the water. Being in suburbia, can't really put in a tank that big, but I was thinking of installing a tankless water heater on the water line heading outside, but before I spend the money, I'm curious what the extent of the benefits would be.

Thanks,

Matt

1/1/2004 5:38:12 PM

Montoursville, PA

Matt..........if your personal best is 900 lbs or better and you are looking for and small percentage gain warm water certainly can be one of your improved management tools. There is some thermal shock when cold water is showered onto the plants.

Maybe a trade off might be to consider drip irrigation. Drip irrigation usually has more time to warm up, only touches the soil and generally gives a more even moisture condition through out the patch. There will be less volume of water used and it will tend to be less thermally affected by new water being added.

I use two fifty five gallon drums to gravity feed 110 gal. of water in an hour and twenty minutes. Those barrels will temper in half a day of Nebraska sunlight. I use a T-Tape purchased from DRIPWORKS IN CALIF. You can search and find them.

Bottom line is if you are pushing for the top weights you may still want to consider warming.

1/1/2004 6:46:38 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Matt a solar pool heater would do the trick for you...

1/1/2004 7:34:33 PM

mcminnville oregon

i found by using clear plexy glass allowed the sun to warm barrels without lettinng heat excape!!! ive been wondering what a stock tank heater may do! most farmers wouldnt be using them durinng july!

2/17/2004 2:13:16 AM