Daryl Thayer has the key to this: surface insulation. About 90% of heat loss from an open body of water is from evaporation. There are black plastic balls (about 5” dia) you can get to float on top in a layer. Blue foam works but deteriorates in the sun. I know we are all about electrical and mechanical solutions on this list, but whatever you do, don’t waste your money trying to heat an open surface water tank.
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