Insulating qualities of Hypertufa? Project Idea...

19 years ago

I'm fairly new to Hypertufa and need some feedback to see if this might work. I want to add a bit of insulation to my livestock's water bucket to keep it from freezing in the winter. (Or at least so the ice is less thick). I was wondering if a thick coating of hypertufa might have the same properties as stone or rock when it comes to that.

Along those lines, when you make a japanese lantern, does the tufa get warm to the touch if you burn a candle inside? That was my second idea... to build a form that I could slip a bucket into, with a section to hold a tea light molded into it if the tufa might help conduct heat. I hope this isn't too confusing!

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Comments (2)

fredw10
19 years ago
NO!! To the bucket idea. I think you are worrying about a non-existant ptoblem.
MuddyMesaWoman
19 years ago
Hi Anna-

I imagine that depending on what kind of aggregate (vermiculite or perlite?) you use, the insulating properties could be fairly helpful, but if you are talking about a 2-5 gallon bucket, you are going to have it freeze despite your insulation because of the exposed surface area.

We have a water trough (the oval-3ft high kind) full of water as a water feature/garden with fish. We keep a bubbler pump going all winter long and haven't had it freeze over yet, but that may be much larger than you are looking at.

You can take styrofoam to surround the bucket and cover that with tufa which might hedge your bet, but I'm guessing that a small-ish container will have freezing problems anyway.

If you have access to electricity near the water bucket, they have "warmer coils" that you can leave in the water to keep it just warm enough to keep from freezing.

I hope that helps!

Anyone else?

Jo
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