May I ask why the posts on either end of the Mirafount?

I agree with the 500w donut heater these are pretty good waterers for the price.  I would not trust the dangling wire they give you. The guy that does my waterlines says he always puts in one of the thermostatically controlled heat tapes, and wraps it with pipe insulation and cable ties on the vertical waterline in the heat tube.

With the thermostat taped and cable tied to the waterline, it only comes on if the waterline temperature approaches freezing so does not use much electricity.

Thanks for the pics.

Jim