Stock tank bubblers

Just read a little blurb in Countryside Magazine suggesting that instead of heater livestock tanks through the winter, using a bubbler to keep the water from freezing. Anyone do this?

The local coast guard station does it to protect their dock in the winter. Water near the pump doesn't freeze over and I expect it's pretty thin up near the open area.
I'm not sure if they use water or air. I can't tell from shore, but it doesn't look like air.

Jim Argeropoulos wrote:
The local coast guard station does it to protect their dock in the winter. Water near the pump doesn't freeze over and I expect it's pretty thin up near the open area.
I'm not sure if they use water or air. I can't tell from shore, but it doesn't look like air.

I'm pretty sure it's water.  If they were bubbling air that would oxygenate the water and make it more likely for fish to congregate there, which might bring their own problems.  So long as the top of the water stays "roiled", ice won't form there until it gets really cold.

Got it, that makes sense.

Most marinas use bubblers to keep the water from freezing.  I installed one in a white oak cistern I built for a friend.  They work very well.

The energy of the moving water keeps the water from freezing under normal conditions. It is used around docks and boats here locally.

Subject; 121 – Natural Swimming Pools Part 1 PODCAST

Hi guys,

Concerning the use of bubblers in natural swimming pools, Paul's guest in the podast says she isn't convinced about the effectiveness of the bubblers as pumping devices. Paul expresses the same concern. They are missing something here: the bublers function as airlift pumps, and can be very effective and powerful if the air flow is driven up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airlift_pump
Air lift pumps are used a lot in water treatment plants, they move the full flow of the plant (albeit on small heights) and are incredibly simple and reliable. Using air lift pump technology that dubbles as a bubbler is an_excellent_technical solution, i.m.h.o.

I agree. You need some movement. Its easy to isolate the movement and flows. But, natural ponds here have definite flow and circulation. Th e spring fed ones at least. You must have a slight movement in man made ponds. But I digress. The bubblers work very well. Or, a cheep lift pump or a barrel lift up and over to a small water fall. Lots of ways to do it. The middle of the water can move, shelter the edges or "swampy parts" with a wave barrier. I did this in my old pool and it worked well.

It does not have to be all open, it can be stages and creative, it does not need to be all one pool.