Stock Tank Pool DIY

Have you seen the trend with stock tank pools? They’re drinking water tanks for livestock, which you can get from places like Tractor Supply. People are using them as an affordable alternative to inground pools. I think they’re really cute! Also, stock tank pools really appealed to me because we avoid plastic, especially with Ashley’s MTHFR mutation.

I ordered my 8 foot stock tank pool from Tractor Supply. A week later they called to tell me that it had arrived and that I could come pay for it and pick it up. With tax the pool came to almost $400 dollars. It’s MUCH less expensive than an inground pool, but much more expensive than an unhealthy plastic above-ground pool. The stock tank pool is also nice because you can put one in a small space. I’ve even seen photos where people dug a hole and put the pool IN the ground!

Step 1: I had to get the pool home. I rented a flatbed pickup truck from Home Depot, determined to have it back in 75 minutes, which costs only $19. After paying for my pool a nice employee put it on the truck for me, and I realized it was going to slide off.

So I went back inside and bought some straps for about $18.

It worked!

I was still afraid to drive on the freeway though, so I took the backroads home. I was nervous despite how secure I knew the straps had made the tank. I loved driving the truck, though. It made me miss my bouncy old Wrangler!

My husband had just finished leveling the ground when I arrived with the pool. We rolled the stock tank pool down the side of the house and into the yard like an 8-foot tall tire. It was kinda funny 🙂 And I made it back to Home Depot just in time, woohoo!

I read that some people with stock tanks drill holes in the side for the water pump. We took the simple approach and just draped the hose over the side. We had originally planned to take the hoses out of the pool when we weren’t using the equipment, but we’ve gotten lazy and just leave them in. Of course, if you have the tools then you can cut through the tank, and install the pump and filter into the side of the pool before you add the water. If you choose to do this make sure you measure, measure, measure. Once you cut those holes, there’s no going back! And don’t forget to seal around the hole edges with marine grade sealant!

Step 2: (Captain Hook not required 😉 ) Installing the Salt Water Pump and Filter. We put the Salt Water Pump and Filter behind the pool, out of sight. However, as I mentioned above, we’ve been too lazy to take the hoses out of the pool when we’re not running the equipment. My husband got clamps to secure the hoses. Each hose needed 2 clamps to keep them in place. After we use the pool we run the pump and filter for several hours, then turn them off.

Step 3: Finishing touches. I’m not finished landscaping around our new pool area, but I’m getting close! I added 3 steps from the patio to the pool, which are only a few dollars each. The steps are important because they help keep mulch and dirt out of the pool. Well, so long as your kids remember to use them 😉 They get hot so we splash water on them a few minutes before getting into the pool.

I moved our potted dwarf orange tree to this spot in order to hide the outlet and the electrical cords. Next I’m going to paint the brick base white to match the column. I’ve also been slowly filling in the corner, making it a rock and succulent garden 🙂 When I finish I’ll replace this photo with the final result.

I hope you enjoyed this DIY! Happy Summer!

See my Sun Cover & Vitamin D post for more healthy living!

♥, Kelly