When choosing a water tank to keep your horses watered, you basically have two options, the good old standby which is the galvanized steel stock tank and the newer addition to the stock market polycarbonate plastic storage tank. Plastic and steel water tanks come in all sizes from 25 gallons all the way up to 800 gallons. They all come with a standard 1-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects regardless of manufacturer.
The question most equestrians ask is which one is better and which one will last longer? I’ve owned both models of stock tanks, and they both have benefits as well as drawbacks. Really, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference when making that decision.
PVC plastic tanks usually provide a removable drain plug in the bottom of the tank; This allows drain plug tank heaters to be used in the winter, which is perhaps one of the biggest benefits of a poly plastic tank. Screw the drain plug into the drain plug at the bottom of the water tank, preventing curious and nasty horses from pulling the stock tank heater out of the tank and playing with it! The other big advantage of a winter defrost plug is that it is less expensive than other traditional water tank heaters! Typically, a new drain plug removal device costs around $34.99 vs. $47.00.
Galvanized steel tanks are easier to brush off algae in the summer months versus polycarbonate plastic, which requires a little more scrubbing and elbow grease. Steel tanks are sealed with a silicone product at the seams; This does not disintegrate over time and cause the steel tank to leak at the seams along the sides and bottom of the tank. It will also speed up the process if you have horses that like to kick the steel tanks when the water starts to drop, I have a whole bunch in our backyard that constantly beat our steel tanks. To remedy this, you can re-seal the tank seams with silicone sealant or JB Weld also works great for this type of application. The key is to really work the product into the seams when you have to re-seal the tank and make sure you apply the product to a clean, dry surface, then allow it to dry per the manufacturer’s recommendations before refilling the stock tank with water.
Steel stock tanks should also come with a bottom drain plug, though you’ll have a hard time removing it and if you lose the plug it’s hard to find a replacement. Poly tanks, especially rubber water tanks, drain plugs are readily available if lost. In general, the steel tank is easy to push in when you need to empty the stock tank for cleaning.
When comparing the initial cost of these livestock tanks, poly vs. steel will be very similar and will all differ based on the gallon capacity of the tank. A 149 gallon poly tank will cost around $150.00 while a steel tank of the same capacity will cost between $140 and $160 depending on where you are in the US. The cost fluctuates more with steel because steel prices change on a regular basis.
Polycarbonate tanks will degrade more at higher elevations to increase UV exposure. The cabinets will fade over time and become brittle. The main downfall of poly tanks is that once they become brittle, there is no repair that can be done to the stock tank. A steel tank can be bent back into shape, kicked, battered, exposed to extreme cold, extreme heat, and still mend after years of use. If you have a horse that likes to kick tanks, it’s best to steer clear of plastic tanks in general and be prepared to re-seal the steel tank every couple of years.
Both types of livestock tanks should last for years with proper care and no abuse. The galvanized steel water tanks I use are over 15 years old. I’ve seen Polly tanks this old, too. The bottom line is that your choice of water tank is a personal preference, and anyone can get their money’s worth out of any product for many years to come with proper care. What brand do you go with? HW Brand makes a premium galvanized steel tank and Rubbermaid or Fortiflex both make high quality plastic tanks.