Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start dreaming about lounging poolside with an ice cold drink in hand. As much as I’d love to have a big, beautiful inground pool in my backyard, that just isn’t in the budget right now. But that doesn’t mean I have to go without a pool this year!
After doing some research, I discovered thatstock tanks from Tractor Supply can make excellent DIY swimming pools for a fraction of the cost of traditional pools.Stock tanks are those large, galvanized metal tanks you often see at farms for watering livestock. But these rugged and durable tanks can easily be transformed into chic backyard pools with a little creativity!
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I sourced the perfect stock tank fromTractor Supplyand set it up as a fabulous pool in my yard for right around$1000. I’ll share tips on calculating the right tank size, picking accessories like pumps and filters, keeping costs down with DIY touches, maintaining water quality, and more.
After reading this, you’ll be ready to build your own stunning stock tank pool that looks like it cost 10 times more than it did!
Choosing the Right Stock Tank from Tractor Supply
The first step was selecting the perfect tank for my needs from the options atTractor Supply. Tractor Supply carries stock tanks ranging in size from 100 to 1,000 gallons. I measured out a level spot in my yard and decided a350 gallon tankwould fit the space nicely.
Tractor Supply’s 350 gallon stock tanks come in two different diameters –6 foot acrossor8 foot across. I opted for the wider 8 foot tank to maximize swimming space. This size tank was priced at around$350.
In addition to size, you’ll need to decide between metal and poly stock tanks.Metal tankshave a classic galvanized steel look, but canrustover time. Thepolyethylene plastic tankswon’t rust, but cost a bit more upfront.
I chose agalvanized steel tankfor the traditional farmhouse vibe I was going for. But keep maintenance in mind if you select a metal tank – I’ll cover preventing rust later in this post.
Once I picked out my 8 foot wide, 350 gallon galvanized steel stock tank on the Tractor Supply website(click to online shopping), I clicked “buy online, pick up in store” to avoid hefty shipping fees. The whole order came to $380 after tax for the tank plus a few accessories.
Keeping Costs Down with DIY Touches
After buying the stock tank, I still needed a few key elements to turn it into a swimming pool:
- Pump– to circulate and filter the water
- Filter– to keep the water clean and clear
- Chlorine– to disinfect and prevent algae growth
- Plumbing parts– hoses, fittings, etc to hook up the pump
- Pool ladder– for safe entry and exit
Buying all these parts brand new could have potentiallydoubled my spending. But with some DIY mentality, I was able to rig up pool-worthy components at a fraction of retail prices:
- I found a used1 HP pumpon Craigslist for$75, which was a major score. A new pump would cost $200+ easily.
- I attached the pump to an oldabove-ground pool filterI borrowed from my dad. A new filter would have been$150-200.
- I usedstandard garden hosesinstead of expensive pool hose to connect the pump and filter.
- For pool chemicals, I opted forhousehold bleachinstead of chlorine tablets from the pool store. A gallon of bleach costs around$3compared to $50 for pool chlorine.
- And the game-changer – instead of a fancy $150 metal ladder, I turned aplastic step stoolon its side to create a makeshift ladder for getting in and out of the pool.
With DIY solutions like these, I was able to build my dream stock tank pool for right around$1000, even including minor costs like sandpaper, silicone caulk, and PVC cement. Doing everything brand new could have cost upwards of $2000, so I’m thrilled with how little I spent. And you’d never know from looking at it!
Installation – How I Set Up My Stock Tank Pool
Once I brought the stock tank home, it was time for the fun part – turning this raw galvanized beast into a backyard oasis!
I cleared and leveled the install site, making sure the ground was free of sticks, stones and other debris that could puncture the tank. Leveling is crucial for the water to distribute evenly across the entire bottom.
My handy husband built a levelwood platformas the tank’s base, which raises it off the ground for easier access. We centered the tank on top and filled the bottom few inches with water to weigh it down before moving on.
Next came the pump and filter setup. We positioned the pump next to the tank and ran the intake hose inside to suck water out. The exit hose sends water up to the filter on araised platform, then back down to the tank.
I’ll admit this part was amesswith water spilling every which way. Having a few extra pairs of hands helps immensely when working with unruly hoses! We also installed hoseshut-off valvesto easily turn flow on and off.
Once the tank was filled and circulating, we added thepool chemicalsand let the filter run overnight to clean and balance the water. Don’t skip this part – fresh water straight from the hose is not ready for swimming without proper treatment first.
The final touch wasdecorating! I painted my metal tank a crisp white usingrust-resistant paintthen added a bright sunflower stencil for a fun pop of color. I scattered cheap pool floaties and potted plants around the edges to complete the backyard oasis vibe.
Maintaining Water Quality in a Stock Tank Pool
Part of the appeal of stock tank pools is their lower maintenance compared to traditional pools. But you still need to actively maintain water quality for a safe, sanitary swimming experience. Here are my tips:
- Test and adjustchemical levelsregularly, especially pH and chlorine. I aim for a pH around 7.4-7.6 and free chlorine between 2-4 PPM.
- Shockthe water weekly by adding extra chlorine to kill bacteria.
- Check thefilteroften and spray clean it when pressure rises.
- Removedebrisdaily with a skimmer net to prevent clogging.
- Drain and cleanthe tank fully every few weeks if needed.
- Keep an eye out foralgae– if you spot any, shock the tank and scrub vigorously.
It takes some trial and error to get the chemical balance right in a stock tank pool. Pick up a fewtest stripsto check levels often, especially in the hot summer months. Maintaining sanitary water is crucial for safety and preventing icky green algae blooms!
Rust Prevention in Galvanized Steel Stock Tanks
The biggest downside to galvanized steel tanks is that thezinc coating can erode over time, leading to dreaded rust. Luckily there are a few key steps you can take to prolong the life of your steel tank:
- Clean anddrythe tank when not in use to prevent moisture buildup
- Apply a protectiveclear coatover the galvanized layer using a specialty aquarium-safe epoxy paint
- Installsacrificial anodes– these small zinc bars attract rust away from the tank walls
- Keep pH in the ideal range – low pH causes the zinc to deteriorate faster
- Avoid harshpool chemicalslike acids that eat away at the coating
With vigilant care and maintenance, a galvanized steel stock tank can still look fabulous for many years. But if you want to skip the rust worry, opt for a polyethylene plastic tank that never corrodes.
Transforming an Ordinary Stock Tank into a Backyard Pool Oasis
When you break it down step-by-step, installing a stock tank pool is totally doable as a DIY project, even for novices like me! The materials are readily available at stores like Tractor Supply for very reasonable prices. And you can infuse personal style with fun decor touches.
My Tractor Supply stock tank was anabsolute game-changerfor my backyard. I went from a boring unused space to atropical oasisfor less than $1000 in supplies. We’ve been having so much fun all summer long floating in the pool, soaking up the sun and sipping co*cktails poolside.
I never would have guessed asimple galvanized livestock tankcould bring me so much joy, but this just proves you don’t need a fancy inground pool to make summer magical. A stock tank pool is accessible, affordable and full of charm – I’d absolutely recommend giving this project a try yourself!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about selecting, setting up and maintaining a Tractor Supply stock tank pool. I’m happy to share more details or tips from my experience to help you create your own stock tank oasis.
