How Can You Use A Stock Tank As A Pool
Setting up a stock tank pool is a DIY-doable project. However, it does take careful preparation work and budgeting for more than just the galvanized tub.
You must select a location that can hold the tanks weight, water, filtration pump, and people. Youll also need to prepare the site before installing, clearing away tree roots, stumps, or rocks. Finally, you need to ensure the pool surface is level.
How A Stock Tank Pool Is Maintained
Clean it often to prevent extra dirt and debris from the pool. Pool skimmers are effective in removing material from the waters surface. Also, a pool vacuum head may be purchased to remove accumulated dirt on the bottom.
Regular pool maintenance will help keep your filters clean and avoid clogs. Carefully adhere to the maintenance instructions in your filters handbook.
It will be challenging to maintain the remainder of the pool clean if the interior of the filter becomes filthy or populated with algae. You will have to do additional work as a result. To help keep your pool clean, use shock treatments and cleaning agents like bromine or chlorine pills.
You should clean and drain your pool every 6 to 8 weeks. Your collection will eventually become unclean even with appropriate maintenance and chemicals. Your pool will appear better if you give it a good clean every month.
Connect Your Pump Filter
This part should be fairly straightforward as youre just following the plumbing instructions provided by your particular pump filter.
First, make sure you have your pump filter unpacked and place it close by to the inlet and outlet fittings. These hoses typically arent very long, so you wont have much wiggle room.
Now simply connect the two pump hoses to the plunger valves. If you chose not to use plunger valves, you can connect them directly to the fittings.
The upper hose needs to screw directly into the pump, which is usually the lowest port on your pump filter. The lower hose needs to screw directly into the filter.
Before securing the hoses to the pump filter, make sure the provided o-rings are in place to prevent leaking. These rubber rings can easily fall out or dislodge if youre not paying attention.
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Bring In Sand For The Base Of The Stock Tank Pool
My husband took the trailer to our local garden center and picked up a yard of construction sand. This we used to ensure the ground was entirely level. As you can see from the photo above, a yard of sand is a lot. Initially we thought we had WAY too much however, by the time we completed the project, we only had a couple of buckets left.
The photo above shows him leveling the sand the same way he did the dirt earlier in the process.
Theyre Still Prone To Rust
But wait, arent the metal types galvanized steel?
Yes, they are, but certain pool chemicals will slowly eat through that protective layer and eventually lead to corrosion especially if youre using chlorine as your sanitizer of choice.
Chances are, you wont notice any rusting for the first year or two, but signs of corrosion will likely start to show by the third season.
One way to prevent this and extend the life of your stock tank pool is to cover it with a vinyl liner. You may also consider a plastic stock tank instead, but theyre not as strong and durable as their metal cousins so they arent likely to last as long.
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When To Call A Pro
While there arent many professionals who will build a stock tank pool for you, there are pros who can help with aspects along the way. Speak to representatives at your local pool and spa supply store for information about the best type of pump/filter for your stock tank pool.
If you have a difficult site for a stock tank pool, hire a landscaping company to grade and smooth it for you. And you may choose to hire a contractor or deck company to build decking around the pool.
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Doesn’t The Pool Get Too Hot
“If you’re worried about the water getting too hot, you can create your stock tank pool in an area where there is some tree cover, or, use a ‘sun sail‘ or cantilever umbrella, like many of our customers,” the TSC spokesperson explains. “However, even our customers in Arizona, California, and Nevada who use our stock tanks for pools report that they don’t get too hot to use.” Remember, the metal conducts heat and cold, so the tank will cool down a lot overnight.
McKinney, Texas-based Brandon Coston, who built his pool with Justin Preston of Barn Dance Design, made it through a Texas summer without any heating issues. He reports, “The metal and water cools off at night. If you keep the pump circulating the water during the day, that helps too. I also have an umbrella and I cut pool noodles and placed them as head rests. It never was a problem for me, we used it every day last year!”
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Find A Stock Tank Pool
Originally, I tried to do this project last year after everything closed during the pandemic Problem was, I could not find a stock tank pool anywhere! This year I made sure to locate one early! As Im writing this our local farm supply store still has 10 in stock! Maybe they learned from last year!
We bought the Behlen Country 8 foot stock tank pool from our local farm supply store, and had my father-in-law transport it to us in his truck. Once it was here, my husband and I easily lifted it off the truck and rolled it to our backyard. Step 1 done!
Stock Tank Pools Are Affordable Versatile And Can Be Installed With Just A Few Tools Use Our Tips To Learn How To Set Up And Care For One
Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
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You May Need A Permit
Some local authorities stipulate the need to have a permit for a pool. Opting for an above-ground stock tank pool will not necessarily exempt you from this requirement.
To be safe, go ahead and check the rules and regulations regarding pools with your local city or town before you go ahead and install your stock tank pool.
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Is A Stock Tank Pool Still Worth It
Looking for a nice soak to cool off from the heat with your loved one? Or are you planning to swim laps and play pool games with your family? Your choice will ultimately be determined by the purpose of the pool you intend to have in your home.
As far as cost is concerned, a stock tank pool can be installed in your home for as little as $500. You should be aware that owning an in-ground pool involves more time, money, and dedication, with prices reaching upwards of $30,000.
Depending on the size and preferences of the pool, an above-ground pool can also cost a few thousand dollars.
In terms of maintenance costs, heaters, filtration, as well as water and energy consumption, the simplicity of a stock tank pool is unmatched.
Although stock tank pools require a certain amount of maintenance, the overall cost of owning one is a fraction of what it would require with other types of pools.
You Can Turn A Stock Tank Pool Into A Hot Tub
You can easily turn a stock tank pool into a hot tub for the cool autumn days or winter days, or evenings with a little ingenuity.
The heating of the water in the pool will be more efficient and faster if your stock tank pool is on the small side. If you have a larger pool, this idea may not be convenient or cost-effective.
Be sure to check out my post on the 10 Coolest Gifts for Hot Tub Owners.
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Pick A Size And Shape
Round or oval? There are two shapes of stock tanks. The round shape is better for multiple people and kids, allowing room to spread out. Oval stock tanks are long and skinny, so they’re better suited for one or two people. That said, the 8 round stock tank is by far the most popular.
Round sizes The largest of the stock tanks, round shapes come in two sizes :
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8′ diameter is the most popular for families – the 8′ tank can accommodate up to 4 adults or 5 children
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6′ diameter is good for couples or small families – the 6′ tank can hold two adults easily
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Note: there are other sizes up to 14′ but these two are the most common
Oval sizes have more sizes to choose from, but we recommend three:
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3′ x 8′ this is the largest oval tank. It can hold up to two adults, or one comfortably. Bonus: it has room for your air mattress!
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2′ x 6′ holds one adult comfortably or two kids. It’s just long enough to “stretch out” but is best for sitting
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2′ x 4′ this is the $99 tank that gets you started for about the cost of a grocery run! It’s compact, so we dubbed it the “tiny home” of stock tank pools. It gets the job done!
How Do You Paint A Stock Tank Pool
First, note that galvanized steel does not require painting. However, once you paint it, youll want to keep it looking fresh. Also, the galvanizing comes from a coat of zincwhich also has some slip when you paint it.
You can paint this poolbut you do not have to do so. Assuming you do want to move forward, here are the steps you will take:
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How Do You Install A Stock Tank Swimming Pool
Here are the critical steps to setting up a stock tank pool:
- Site preparation: As mentioned earlier, you need to make a site level. Then you must free it of rocks and debris. Use a level to ensure that you have this perfectly prepared before setting the tub.
- Plan your access: Building on top of an existing deck is a terrible idea due to the weight of your new rig. Instead, plan for a ladder or steps or build up decking for pool access.
- Safety considerations: Dont let the low water depth of this set-up make you complacent. Regardless of the shallow water, children or pets can drown. Consider a gate or another way to restrict access and save lives.
- Install the filter pump. You can purchase a basic Intex pumpthe same thing you see attached to above-ground pool kits. Choose the correct pump based on how many gallons of water your tank will contain.
- Accessorize: Pick out a leaf skimmer, stock up on pool chemicals, and get a pedicureits time to stick your toes in the water!
Reasons To Consider A Stock Tank Pool
Installing a private backyard pool doesnt have to break your outdoor renovation budget with a traditional ground swimming pool or above ground pool. Stock tank pools have been the rising star of social media and for good reason! Space-saving, water-wise, and budget-friendly, metal pools made of an inexpensive and durable stock tank provide maximum fun with minimal maintenance. Check out our top ten reasons why you should consider adding a stock tank pool to your backyard oasis.
Image Credit: Sarah Sherman Samuel
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They Require Some Modifications
If youre planning on using your stock tank pool year-round or even just for the season, its going to need a filtration system.
This means having to install some basic plumbing to accommodate a pool pump and filter, which will help to circulate water and remove debris. This part involves carefully drilling holes for the inlet and outlet fittings.
If you dont have a taste for DIY projects or youre not comfortable drilling holes into several-hundred-dollar pieces of equipment, a stock tank swimming pool might not be for you.
With all that said, those who plan to use the pool sporadically for a few days here and there can probably get by without a filtration system. Just be prepared to drain and refill the water frequently to prevent stagnation and keep the pool sanitary.
Installing A Stock Tank Pool
Installing a stock tank pool can be done DIY or by a professional. If you go the DIY route, installing it really boils down to 4 major steps.
First, you need to determine your tank size and location.
Like I mentioned earlier, the area should be flat and level and free of stuff like rocks and roots. If you opt for larger tank size, make sure it is sitting on a well-supported concrete foundation. Do not place it on a wood deck, which likely wont be able to support the weight. Also, consider where the tank is going in your yard and that area relative to the total space. Is it going to be too overbearing? Too small? Map it out with a tape measure to make sure you feel comfortable with the total size and yard set up youre going for.
Next, pick your tank.
Also mentioned earlier, you can go with a plastic or metal tank. You also have the choice between a round or oval tank. Round options are going to be similar to a hot tub, good for multiple people. Oval sizes are good for 1-2 people.
Up next, install your equipment, including your filter and pump.
You need to make sure your pool is looking fresh and clean all summer long. Fortunately, there are a lot of stock tank pool kits out there that you can purchase and include all the necessary equipment.
Lastly, make sure to maintain your stock tank pool.
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Are Stock Tank Pools Expensive
As mentioned above, a stock tank pool costs far less than an in-ground pool.
For the most basic DIY stock tank pool, you can buy the stock tank for around $400 from a farm supply store, along with a bucket of chlorine tablets for $65 and a cute chlorine floater for about $15. Fill it with water from your garden hose, and for less than $500, youre set.
You can also get a DIY setup delivered. Sisters Stock and Co. will deliver everything you need for between $845 and $1,195, depending on size, if you live within 50 miles of Austin. Other stock tank pool companies have similar programs, so search for one in your area.
Another option? Order a complete stock-tank pool setup with delivery and installation included. Prices and features vary, but at Sisters Stock and Co., they range from $2,000 to $3,700.
