How best to clean rusty trough

[Equi]

My stable trough is metal and I can't figure out how to clean it. It's gone all rusty so I want it cleaned before winter (out 24/7 at mo)

I assume I will need to stop the water in it, but then what?

 

[Dry Rot]

If your water is acidic (soft), the trough will eventualy rust through, so I'd replace it with a plastic one. (My cold water tank in the house rusted through and brought the kitchen ceiling down so I'm a bit sensitive on this subject!).

As for cleaning it, tie or wedge up the ball cock and give the tank a good scrubbing. Then wash it out. (I'd put something heavy on the ball cock and simply let it over flow!).

Rusty water won't harm livestock, so don't lose any sleep over it. Just empty with a bucket and refill with fresh from time to time.

 

[Equi]

That's good to know it won't harm them I was worried about that. It's at livery so I can't change it myself - I have the plastic ones at home and their amazing.

 

[D66]

I keep a shortish piece of hose to syphon out the water troughs, it's just long enough to reach the ditch, so the area around the trough doesn't get muddy on the process. It takes about 20min to empty the trough, then I tip it up on end and power wash the inside. You can get little metal things to leave in the water to slow the growth of algae - can't remember what they're called - someone on here will know.
As DR says you have to tie up the ballcock first, I use a short bit of wood and baler twine.

 

[PaulnasherryRocky]

Tie off the ballcock with bailing twine, empty trough with buckets or syphon- then get scrubbing with a wire brush! rinse out, scrub more and then refill

Then buy some goldfish to keep it clean! (I have two that have been living in there for about 3 years now, trough looks clean as ever)