Another Stock Tank Summer: Answers to your Top FAQs
Last summer we DIYed our very own stock tank pool, affectionately called the cowboy pool to beat the texas heat in quarantine.
Filled up and ready to float on this season, I wanted answer y’alls top questions about the stock tank life.
Even though the stock tank pool craze may have already peaked and you likely already know what a stock tank pool is, I still get questions every time I post my floats.
If you want to back-up a few steps and learn more about stock tank pools, the hottest alternative to a reasonably priced above-ground pool, with a complete guide to getting started with stock tank pools check out my previous blog post. The original post has been updated with links and prices for the summer 2021 pool season.
Stock Tank Pool FAQs
1. What is a stock tank pool?
Stock tanks are originally intended for watering cattle. These are not truly swimming pools, but they have become a great hack for setting up a simple DIY pool that has more longevity than a plastic pool, while keeping costs lower than most backyard pool options.
2. Where do you buy stock tanks?
Local farm or tractor supply companies are your best option. In Austin, we purchased an 8-foot Hasting’s stock tank at Callahan’s last summer.
3. What are they made out of?
Galvanized steel with zinc finish, which means they are built to hold water and keep it relatively cool for livestock.
4.did you line your pool?
I have seen some examples of folks lining their stock tank pools, but so far we did not find any interior treatment necessary.
5. Where can you put it?
Make sure you have a flat, level area for your stock tank. You can build a platform or a deck that is built to withstand up to the 700 gallons of water it can hold. We leveled a section of our yard, filled with gravel and used play sand to level as we filled.
6. What do they cost?
Materials can increase significantly due to supply and demand with price gouging when items like the pool pump are out of stock at larger retailers. We paid approximately $400 for our stock tank pool and about $300 in all our other initial setup materials for a total investment of $700.
7. What supplies do you need?
Read my full previous blog post for more detail
Intex Krystal Clear 1500-gallon filter pump for above ground pools 28635EG this comes with: pump and outlet, (2) 1.5 inch hose, (1) replaceable filter, (1) plunger valve, (1) inlet strainer with fittings.
Additional pump parts not included with kit: (1) Plunger Valve, Threaded Inlet Strainer Kit
2-3/4 hole saw attachment for drilling your pump holes
Water Cleaning System: Chlorine tablet dispenser , Chlorine tablets, Chlorine test strips, Pool cover, Pool skimmer
Replacement filters - 6-pack (Type A/C)
8. What if I can’t find the supplies I need?
The hardest part may be finding your supplies. If your local farm supply company is out of stock, see if you can get added to their waitlist. Pool pumps for this setup come in and out of stock, so do a pretty broad web search (hardware retailers, Walmart, Amazon, Ebay, local) to price compare. The additional inlet strainer part that is required, but does not come with the Intex pool pump system is rarely in-stock on the Intex website; however, there are a few options to solve for this (pick ONE of these):
11235, Threaded Strainer Connector + Strainer Nut + Rubber Gasket obviously the cheapest option, but almost always sold-out
WE DID THIS: Inlet Jet Replacement Kit prices fluctuate based on availability, it has what you need and some extra parts that you will not need.
9. how big are they and can you actually swim in them?
Round (4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12+ by 2 feet - I see most home installations in the 6/8/10/12 range but i’ve seen some huge stock tanks with a little more depth) or oval (the minimum you’d likely go on this would be 4x2x2, but most folks go 6x2x2 - or there’s a 2.5ft depth option) which is more like a tub shape and you can buy most shapes and sizes in plastic/poly or galvanized steel.
We have an 8-foot pool which is comfortably big enough for 4(ish) adults to casually hang in the pool or two floaters side-by-side. Alex uses the pool to dunk and cool-off, I mostly float. To call it “swimming” would be generous.
10. How do you keep it clean?
The pump is critical to keep the water moving and clean, the pump we purchased and most others I have seen have automatic timers that you can set with 2 to 12 hour cycles. We run ours at least on the once every 12 hour cycle to keep the water moving.
Mosquito struggle is real in Austin for most of the warm (forever warm) seasons, so the key to not attracting bugs is not letting your stock tank turn into standing water.
Must-have for stock tank pool: Chlorine Dispenser
In addition, we keep 2 chlorine tablets in a chlorine dispenser, skim the pool every couple of days, cover it at night or during periods not using (but sometimes forget and no one dies), and occasionally shock the pool to adjust levels as needed. It took a little trial and error at first to get the balance right using chlorine test strips.
I think it’s important to note that I try to get as close to the right levels as possible, but it’s not always perfect. You may have to adjust a bit after a big rain as well.
If you have algae (greenish water, green or black spots on the interior, bottom is slippery): adjust the chlorine and pH levels by shocking your pool and vacuum the pool bottom. If your water is cloudy, you likely have “hard water” with high pH and/or the chlorine content is too low. Same thing, correct your pH level. We really only dealt with a tiny bit of algae at first until we shocked it and were consistent with chlorine and running the pump.
11. Is it hard to keep clean?
That last answer was long, but honestly it’s not as hard as it sounds. I even get lazy from time to time and it’s not too hard to correct.
12. Does it attract mosquitos?
If you run the pool pump regularly, this will remove the standing water element entirely and not attract mosquitos. However, I don’t think there is anywhere in our yard safe from mosquitos so I’ve added tiki torches around the pool to mitigate.
13. Will it rust?
The chlorine dispenser will significantly help the impact from the chemicals and we have not noted any rusting at this point. Judging by other blogs, it will likely take years at least, before noticing rust if you are treating the pool properly. Next season, I may consider trying this pool liner option or even play with the idea of sourcing pool tile secondhand to install.
14. What do you do with it during the winter?
We drained ours and flipped it over. To drain it we let it cycle without chlorine to lessen environmental impact, then drained it to the gutter at the end of the season.
15. What do you do for safety if you have kids?
We don’t have kids and our dogs don’t show a lot of interest in it, but when speaking with folks who do have kids this is a big concern. stocktankpool.net does a great job detailing suggested pool protocol to take the danger of drowning seriously.
16. Do they get too hot in the Texas heat?
Nope, stock tanks are galvanized steel and designed to keep water cool in the sun. You can always add an umbrella or a sun sail, but even on the hottest Texas days our pool stays refreshing.
17. Can you paint it?
I’ve seen a lot of really fun examples of painting the exterior (I’d avoid interior unless you do your homework on the exact type of paint) of stock tanks. Personally, I love the natural look and if I want to up my game I might add a fun bamboo surround that can be removed. Hey Wanderer posted the OG stock tank pool DIY blog and I trust their advice most if you do decide to paint.
18. What if I want a stock tank but do not want to deal with DIY or sourcing the parts?
With the rise in stock tank pool popularity, there are more companies like Stock Tank Love in TX, popping up that provide stock tank setup services. If you’re willing to pay more than the DIY price tag, save yourself time and benefit from non-first-timer expertise, I think this is a great route to go.
19. Is it worth it?
I get this question a lot. It’s my least favorite kind of question. Almost everything that is worthwhile to me in my day-to-day life would feel absolutely ridiculous to most people.
SUBJECTIVELY, this has been 100% worth the cost and effort. We grew up in Seattle, so to us Texas is, well…hot. This gives us an option to cool off and is a separate space at home that was priceless during the pandemic. Even though there’s a lot of questions up-front, it’s relatively easy to maintain.
20. What are other stock tank pool must-haves?
Favorite hack: cut a slit in a pool noodle and line the edge of your stock tank pool, super comfortable for dipping your feet in.
All the floaties. I already have this Target rainbow tube with a headrest costing me a whopping $10, but I’ve had my eye on this 70’s inspired Malibu Barbie x Funboy tube and don’t you dare tell my husband how much it cost if you see that I buy it.
A 12-foot avocado pool bar, but seriously good luck finding one.
Topo Chico
Lawn Chairs for when you just want to dip the toes. I scored these two vintage aluminum chairs at a thrift store in Austin for $2.50 each:
21. Why don’t you get a real pool?
My husband likes to take deprive me of my one true wish in life. And they are expensive. And according to him, they “break.” And we are not that fancy.
Please note George Michael peeping the corner of this photo.