Stock tank help

dotgotcalm · 07-01-2008, 08:29 AM

It's never been a problem before but now that we're several years into a drought I have mosquitos breeding in my water tanks like mad. Unless I drain and scrub them every other day the water literally moves there are so many!

Does anyone know of a safe way to stop them from breeding in horses water? I've heard about fish that do a good job in larger tanks but I'm not sure how small a tank you can keep them in. Any suggestions?

Spotted Mustang · 07-01-2008, 08:46 AM

One of the best fish I've heard to use are "mosquitofish". They are small, but very tough little fish.

Here is some information on them:
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pestcontrol/a/mosquitocontrol_3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquitofish
http://www.gambusia.net/
http://www.kens-fishfarm.com/gambusia_minnows.asp

dotgotcalm · 07-01-2008, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the links! That's the fish I heard about but after reading all that I'm not sure that I couldn't just put some guppies or goldfish in my tanks instead. I'm just unsure if adding fish wouldn't mean more work in the long run. Since they poop I'm sure the tanks would have to be drained and cleaned of that and I'm not sure if the larva would be enough food or if I'd need to feed the doggone fish as well as everything else around the place! lol

Darn bugs!

Lindsayanne · 07-01-2008, 09:56 AM

Try switching out your tanks to smaller tanks with a cheap auto-waterer.

In the spring I drain my giant rubbermaids, flip them over, and pull out clean muck buckets to water out of. I attach a $10 auto water-er valve from the farm store and leave a hose hooked up and on. The horses drink enough that the water completely refreshes several times a day and stays cooler and fresher.

Algae doesn't really grow when the water is turning over so much, and when it does the muck buckets don't take a scrubbing- wiping them out with a handful of hay has them sparkling again. I'm serious. I'm sold!

Spotted Mustang · 07-01-2008, 10:01 AM

If you are worried about the fish poop, buy a couple of these: http://www.petlibrary.com/fw_trop_plecostomus.htm They are also super tough and eat fish poop, algae, and larva as well.

They will help keep the tanks clean, won't bother the mosquitofish, and can live through just about anything.

If you have that many bugs, I do not think the fish will want for food.

You do not need to get too many of them. For a standard tank, I do not think you would need more than one or two pleco and a handful of little goldfish or mosquitofish.

You will still have to clean the tanks now and then, but the fish should cut down on the mess quite a bit.

Spotted Mustang · 07-01-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

Try switching out your tanks to smaller tanks with a cheap auto-waterer.

In the spring I drain my giant rubbermaids, flip them over, and pull out clean muck buckets to water out of. I attach a $10 auto water-er valve from the farm store and leave a hose hooked up and on. The horses drink enough that the water completely refreshes several times a day and stays cooler and fresher.

Algae doesn't really grow when the water is turning over so much, and when it does the muck buckets don't take a scrubbing- wiping them out with a handful of hay has them sparkling again. I'm serious. I'm sold!

Oh, also a very good idea!

endurgirl · 07-01-2008, 10:59 AM

I use mosquito dunks. You'd be surprised how quickly they work.

Xiphias · 07-01-2008, 11:02 AM

Get a couple feeder gold fish, they usually cost about 12 for a buck at the pet store....they will keep the mosquito larve down...

Cathy

JBandRio · 07-01-2008, 11:03 AM

Ewww, I'm getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about all those skeeter larva!!

I second the mosquito dunks - they last a good long time and are quite safe.

endurgirl · 07-01-2008, 11:06 AM

Here's my thread I made about them a while back.

Any users of the mosquito killer thingy that goes in the water tank?

I've only lost a few horses since I began using them....

Just kiddin'

07-01-2008, 08:29 AM	#1
dotgotcalm Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 555 Images: 4	Stock tank help It's never been a problem before but now that we're several years into a drought I have mosquitos breeding in my water tanks like mad. Unless I drain and scrub them every other day the water literally moves there are so many! Does anyone know of a safe way to stop them from breeding in horses water? I've heard about fish that do a good job in larger tanks but I'm not sure how small a tank you can keep them in. Any suggestions?

07-01-2008, 08:46 AM	#2
Spotted Mustang Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: TX Posts: 383	One of the best fish I've heard to use are "mosquitofish". They are small, but very tough little fish. Here is some information on them: http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pestcontrol/a/mosquitocontrol_3.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquitofish http://www.gambusia.net/ http://www.kens-fishfarm.com/gambusia_minnows.asp __________________ If all I did was teach you to think like a horse and truly understand their psychology, you'd have the keys to be able to do whatever you want with horses, and to win their hearts. ~ Pat Parelli

07-01-2008, 09:56 AM	#4
Lindsayanne Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 9,730 Images: 394	Try switching out your tanks to smaller tanks with a cheap auto-waterer. In the spring I drain my giant rubbermaids, flip them over, and pull out clean muck buckets to water out of. I attach a $10 auto water-er valve from the farm store and leave a hose hooked up and on. The horses drink enough that the water completely refreshes several times a day and stays cooler and fresher. Algae doesn't really grow when the water is turning over so much, and when it does the muck buckets don't take a scrubbing- wiping them out with a handful of hay has them sparkling again. I'm serious. I'm sold! __________________ Bashkir Curly Poster Child NE Prime Time Regal - 2006 ABCR National Champion & 2008 Breyerfest Demo Horse HAVE YOU SEEN MY STOLEN PONY EXPRESS HORSE TRAILER?*

07-01-2008, 10:01 AM	#5
Spotted Mustang Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: TX Posts: 383	If you are worried about the fish poop, buy a couple of these: http://www.petlibrary.com/fw_trop_plecostomus.htm They are also super tough and eat fish poop, algae, and larva as well. They will help keep the tanks clean, won't bother the mosquitofish, and can live through just about anything. If you have that many bugs, I do not think the fish will want for food. You do not need to get too many of them. For a standard tank, I do not think you would need more than one or two pleco and a handful of little goldfish or mosquitofish. You will still have to clean the tanks now and then, but the fish should cut down on the mess quite a bit. __________________ If all I did was teach you to think like a horse and truly understand their psychology, you'd have the keys to be able to do whatever you want with horses, and to win their hearts. ~ Pat Parelli

07-01-2008, 10:59 AM	#7
endurgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,004 Images: 179 Blog Entries: 5	I use mosquito dunks. You'd be surprised how quickly they work. __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!! Proud Member of the Quarter Horse Club I was on HGS the day it made 3 million posts. Haas Horse Farm said it: "old bats need love too"

07-01-2008, 09:52 AM	#3
dotgotcalm Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 555 Images: 4	Thanks for the links! That's the fish I heard about but after reading all that I'm not sure that I couldn't just put some guppies or goldfish in my tanks instead. I'm just unsure if adding fish wouldn't mean more work in the long run. Since they poop I'm sure the tanks would have to be drained and cleaned of that and I'm not sure if the larva would be enough food or if I'd need to feed the doggone fish as well as everything else around the place! lol Darn bugs!

07-01-2008, 11:02 AM	#8
Xiphias Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maryland, horse country USA Posts: 16,506 Images: 627 Blog Entries: 29	Get a couple feeder gold fish, they usually cost about 12 for a buck at the pet store....they will keep the mosquito larve down... Cathy __________________ Member COL Club- hand over the Oil of Olay and nobody gets hurt! http://www.freewebs.com/xiphias21034/ I was on HGS the day we made 2 million posts and 3 million posts

07-01-2008, 11:03 AM	#9
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 22,425 Images: 138 Blog Entries: 12	Ewww, I'm getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about all those skeeter larva!! I second the mosquito dunks - they last a good long time and are quite safe. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

07-01-2008, 11:06 AM	#10
endurgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,004 Images: 179 Blog Entries: 5	Here's my thread I made about them a while back. Any users of the mosquito killer thingy that goes in the water tank? I've only lost a few horses since I began using them.... Just kiddin' __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!! Proud Member of the Quarter Horse Club I was on HGS the day it made 3 million posts. Haas Horse Farm said it: "old bats need love too"

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