A small above-ground stock tank pool with colorful floats and striped towels on wooden chairs. Potted plants and a lantern decorate the area, with a wooden fence in the background. Steps lead up to the pool, surrounded by gravel.
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DIY Stock Tank Pool Set Up

ByLisa
15 Comments

Since summer looked a little different last year, we added a Stock Tank Pool to the backyard as a vacation substitute. We figured if we couldn’t go to the beach, the beach could come to us. Or at least a beach like experience. Since then I have received tons of questions on our stock tank pool and how we set it up. With summer right around the corner, I am spilling all the details on our DIY stock tank pool setup, how we keep it clean, where to buy them and answering all your burning questions. We even built a deck and added a sunbed! SO, who’s ready to go for a swim? 

The image shows a DIY guide for setting up a stock tank pool. The top half displays large stock tanks leaning against a building, while the bottom half captures someone relaxing in their backyard pool, surrounded by lush plants and inviting chairs.This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my policies.

Stock Tank Pool Set up 

Stock Tank
Pool Pump
Hole Saw
2 – Plunger Valves (10747)
1 – Threaded Strainer Connector (10744)
1 – Strainer Nut (10256)
1 – Strainer Grid (11072)
Extra Rubber Rings
Chlorine Tablets
Chlorine Test Strips
Chlorine Dispenser
Pool Skimmer
Pool Floats
Flamingo Drink Floats 

*  NOTE if you plan to set up a stock pool for use this summer, I HIGHLY recommend ordering these parts ASAP. Last year everywhere was sold out by the end of June. 

Before we dive into this project, I want to give you a little back story. Several years ago we made over backyard which included a fire pit area we dug out a few years before. But the original state of this space was tragic to say the least. This is what it looked like in the VERY beginning. A backyard scene with a small brown shed near a wooden fence. The ground is covered in sparse grass with patches of snow. Leafless trees are visible under a sunny blue sky.

So when we decided to add a stock tank pool, this was the perfect spot. 

Step 1 

Buy the stock tank. Stock tanks are meant to provide water for livestock on farms and can be found at farm and ranch supply stores like Tractor Supply. We purchased ours locally at Stockyards Ranch Supply in Denver.Stacks of large, round metallic containers, resembling oversized stock tanks, are scattered on a dirt ground outside a warehouse. Power lines and an overcast sky loom in the background, lending an industrial feel to the scene.

They come in several different diameters but are usually 2 feet deep. Our stock tank pool is 8 feet in diameter and holds 718 gallons of water. It is big enough for Barry and I to both float on a raft at the same time. FYI, most places do not deliver these, so you will need a truck or have to bribe a friend. Beer is usually a good incentive 😉

A silver pickup truck with a 4x4 logo has a large metal stock tank secured in its bed using a blue strap. The truck is parked on a dirt surface under a cloudy sky.

Setp 2

Level out an area to set up your stock tank. The area we chose to put our pool is where our fire pit used to be and was already dug out to accommodate pea gravel. Since we literally have several tons of rocks there, we decided they needed to stay. However, we did temporarily move the rocks from the area to properly level the ground. We used a pick axe and a tamper to level out the ground. This part was not fun. A backyard scene with a tamping tool standing upright on the ground. A blue tarp with a pile of gravel hints at preparations for a stock tank pool in front of a gray and white shed. Wooden fencing and green trees complete the picturesque setting.

The pool does need to be quite level, otherwise you may end up with a leak due to the pressure of the water leaning to one side. We spent a lot of time on this step using a four foot level duct taped to a long 2×4 to ensure the ground was as level as possible. A backyard with a wooden fence and a garden bed in the background features a level on the ground and a tamper tool standing upright. In the foreground, grass lines the edge of the dirt surface, perfectly prepared for installing a stock tank pool.

Then we used paver base and paver sand to make minor adjustments under where the tank would sit. This filled in any low spots and made sure there were no bumpy spots under the pool. There is no pea gravel under the pool. ONLY around it. A backyard with a partially prepared round area of sand and gravel for a future pool or stock tank, surrounded by a wooden fence. Some building tools, including a shovel and a level, are visible. A patch of grass is in the lower left corner.

Step 3

Place the stock tank pool where you want to set it up. Our eight foot pool weighs 180 lbs (empty) but we were able to lift it into place just the two of us. Once it was set, we again checked to ensure it was still level from side to side and front to back. A large, silver stock tank pool sits on bare ground in a backyard, complemented by a wooden fence in the background. A yellow level tool rests atop the tank. Green grass and scattered bricks add charm to the foreground.

Step 4 (optional) 

Since we already had tons of pea gravel, we replaced the weed barrier around the pool and filled the area back up with pea gravel. At this point we also marked out the area for the deck. A large metal stock tank pool is set up in a backyard with a wooden fence. It's placed on a tarp-covered area framed by bricks. The surrounding ground is grassy, and the sky is clear.

Step 5 (Optional) 

Paint the pool. I really wanted a black pool so I decided to paint ours. There is definitely some debate on painting stock tanks since they are galvanized steel which paint has a difficult time adhering to. I decided to give it a go anyway. I cleaned the outside off with water and vinegar and then washed it down with dawn dish soap before I painted it.A blue spray bottle labeled "All-Purpose Sprayer" stands next to a clear bottle of Heinz distilled white vinegar on a wooden countertop, reminiscent of prepping a stock tank pool for summer. A dark cloth lies beside them, with a tiled backsplash in the background.

I used Behr Exterior flat in the color Black (the actual color name) with a foam roller. I had to apply about two and a half coats to achieve a smooth, clean finish. I decided not to paint the top rim of the pool since it would be the most prone to scratches and I think that was a good call. I have also seen where some people have painted the inside of their pools as well, but I didn’t want to be repainting it each year so I decided against that. A gallon can of Behr Ultra exterior flat paint and primer in deep base sits on a wooden surface, perfect for projects like sprucing up a stock tank. The label highlights features such as stain-blocking, excellent durability, and lifetime warranty.

If you paint your pool in the heat of the summer like I did, do not leave your plastic paint tray sitting in the hot sun. They do melt. I may or mat not have learned this the hard way. 

A black paint tray rests on cardboard, holding a foam paint roller with a black and blue handle, reminiscent of the vivid hues of a pool. Accompanying it is a black foam brush with a wooden handle, ready for any painting task.

Step 6 (Optional) 

Build the deck. We really liked the idea of making this a fun hangout spot so we added a partial deck around the pool. I will cover this in another post in a few weeks, but if you want to add a deck, this is the time in the process I would do it. Full tutorial coming soon. A partially constructed wooden deck surrounds an above-ground metal stock tank pool. Wooden steps lead up to the deck. The area is bordered by a wooden fence, and planks lie on the ground nearby, indicating ongoing construction.

Step 7 

Drill the holes for the pool pump. In order to keep water circulating and clean, we added a pump. To accommodate this, we drilled two holes in the side of the stock tank with this hole saw and our drill. These holes should be drilled under the waterline, on the flat part of the tank, not over the ridges.A black metal sheet with two circular holes is positioned above a bed of small gravel stones, hinting at the creation of a stock tank pool. Wooden objects are partially visible on the side, suggesting construction or repair work in progress.

I am not going to lie, this is difficult to drill. Be very careful because the drill will pull and if you are not careful it may swing around and hit you. It took us about 20 minutes to drill both holes. I also recommend doing this on the back side of the pool because the pump will need to sit close by. Ours is on the back right side of the pool. 

Step 8 

Setup the pool pump. The pump should be convenient to get to so you can change the filters easily and troubleshoot leaks if needed. First, you will attach the water intake and outtake to the inside of the pool and then plunger valves on the outside. We used one rubber ring on the inside and outside of each attachment to make a tight seal with the tank. We bought the extras here. Close-up of a metal surface featuring two circular, perforated fixtures reminiscent of those on stock tanks. The background boasts a textured, metallic finish with horizontal grooves, evoking the rugged charm of poolside industrial design.

A close-up of two pool filter inlets attached to the side of a black above-ground stock tank pool. The ground around the pool is covered with small pebbles, and a concrete slab is partially visible in the bottom right corner.

Then we attached the pump and hoses but left the valves closed. See the FAQ below for details on the stock tank pool set up parts.  

A gray pool filter system sits on a concrete slab, linked to a stock tank by white hoses. The setup is positioned on a gravel surface next to a wooden structure and a black container.

Step 9 

Fill it with water. We only filled our stock tank pool just past the valves so we could test for leaks. This way if it leaked we didn’t have to drain as much water into the yard. DO NOT add chlorine yet. If you have to drain it, you don’t want to kill your grass. A stock tank pool is being filled with water from a red hose. It rests on the grassy lawn, snuggled up to a wooden deck in a charming backyard setting. The clear water sparkles invitingly under the sun.

Step 10

To test for leaks we used my highly scientific, patent pending method. Paper towels 😉 But seriously, this works. Place a paper towel under the valves and let the pump run for 15 minutes or so. If there are drip marks on the paper towel, you have a leak or the nuts are not tight enough against the pool. They need to be VERY tight. Close-up of a swimming pool pump and filtration system with hoses connected to a stock tank. The setup is placed on a bed of small pebbles, secured with paper padding underneath to stabilize the hoses.

Step 11 

Fill up the stock tank pool all the way once you are certain there are no leaks. This is when we added the chlorine. We have this shark fin tablet dispenser and these chlorine test strips. Because it’s a small pool and the dispenser is a little top heavy we added some rocks to the bottom of the dispenser and 3-4 tablets to get the pool going. Once the PH was good, we probably only added one tablet a week to the dispenser, but this will vary based on use and your water’s natural PH. I do not recommend adding chlorine directly to the water. 

 

Step 12

Add pool floats and drink floats and enjoy! PS. Marvin still will not get in the pool even though he is incredibly curious, haha! A woman with long brown hair and sunglasses smiles while holding a large inflatable unicorn pool float. She's standing in a backyard by a pool, with another inflatable and a small brown dog nearby. The sky is clear and blue.

Stock Tank Pool FAQ

How often do you change the filter and add water?

We change our filter about once a month. This will vary based on how frequently you use the pool, if you have a cover, and how often you skim it. We loose about an inch of water a week to evaporation. We try to keep our water in between the first groove on the pool and the top edge. We did not drain the pool until the end of the season.  

What do you do in the winter? 

As I am writing this, the pool is buried in 2 feet of snow. Back in October we drained the pool for the season and disconnected the pump and put it in the shed. The stock tank does have a bung hole plug in the front that you can open to drain it but we decided to use this instead. It hooks up to the hose and sucks the water out which we drained to the street. Several weeks before we drained the pool we stopped adding chlorine tablets to the dispenser and let the PH neutralize before draining.

Do you have a cover? 

No. We did attempt to cover the pool with a tarp for the winter, but it did not hold up to the snow and now seems like a waste. I was just hoping to save some time cleaning. During pool season we use a skimmer to get leaves out that are too big for the pump. 

I’m confused about the parts. What comes with the pump and what do I have to buy seperately? 

I totally understand! This part is super confusing. The pool pump comes with the hoses, one filter and the inlet fitting. Separately you will need the below parts (5 in total). We ordered a kit which we thought included everything but it did not. So we ended up ordering additional parts directly from Intex which took almost 2 weeks to get. I have linked the extra parts individually at the top of this post. If you want to set up your stock tank pool for use this summer I HIGHLY recommend ordering ASAP because these parts sell out! A table listing four essential pool parts for your Intex setup, with prices, quantities, and total costs: Plunger Valve ($14.99), Threaded Strainer Connector ($2.91), Strainer Nut ($1.85), and Strainer Grid ($3.12). Perfect for any stock tank pool project, the subtotal is $37.84.  

Does the pump run all the time? 

No. Ours runs for two hours a day which we found to be enough. The pump we have has a timer and it kicks on at the same time every day. 

How do you keep it clean? 

The pump filters the water and anything larger like leaves, we use a skimmer for. 

Why a stock tank pool instead of an above ground pool? 

We don’t have a ton of space for an above ground pool and liked that we could customize the stock tank a bit more. Blue plastic isn’t really for me. 

Can you turn it into a hot tub?

I have seen many others do this but we do not plan to turn ours into a hot tub.

Does the metal get hot? 

No, the rim of the tank stays fairly neutral even in the hot sun.

Does the water get hot? 

Over the summer the temperature of the water did get a little warmer, but we also did not drain ours until the end of the season so little fresh water was added. In my opinion, the water was always refreshing and sometimes chilly, even in the dead of the summer. 

Outdoor picnic setup with black and white striped cushions on a wooden table, right next to a shimmering stock tank pool. Three striped towels and a colorful towel hang on a wooden fence. A metal bowl with beverages sits on the table, enveloped by lush greenery. Two images showcase a backyard transformation. The "before" image has a plain, snowy yard with a small shed. The "after" image features a vibrant garden with a stock tank hot tub, wooden steps, colorful towels, and decorative plants.A small backyard pool with clear water features an inflatable pink flamingo and a gray shark fin. Striped towels hang on the wooden fence, while colorful cushions and a beach ball rest by the deck. A sense of serenity is enhanced by lush greenery visible in the background. A small round stock tank pool is surrounded by wooden decking. Black and white striped towels and cushions are placed around. A colorful beach ball, a pink flamingo float, and green plants add to the vibrant setup. A wooden fence and foliage are in the background.

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An inflatable unicorn float sits in a black stock tank pool in a fenced backyard. Nearby, a striped pillow rests on the pool’s edge. A potted plant with colorful flowers is in the foreground, and string lights are hanging from the fence.

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A stock tank pool with a wooden deck and steps graces the backyard. Towels hang on a wooden fence, while nearby plants, pool accessories, and a lantern complete the scene. Text reads, "DIY Stock Tank Pool Set Up," with a website link included.This post, DIY Stock Tank Pool Set Up, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

15 Comments

  1. This is soooo inspiring! We’re planning to remodel our backyard and toying with the idea of a stock tank pool. I’d love to see how you built the deck.

    Reply

    1. Aww, thank you! I really appreciate that 🙂 I hope to have the deck post done in the next two weeks, so stay tuned 😉

      Reply

  2. Thank you. I want to do this in Florida and leave set up year around. Do you have to do anything to the inside of the tank? What size pool pump do you get?

    Reply

    1. Hummm, I am not familiar with what is available there, but I would look at places that sell supplies for farms and livestock.

      Reply

  5. Thank you so much for the addendum regarding the extra pump parts…that will save me so much headache in back and forth to the store or having to wait for more items to ship to finish the project (once I start).

    Reply

  7. Your pool looks amazing! I am having a stock tank delivered next week to do something similar. Other posts have mentioned using a liner or painting the inside? Did you do anything to prep the inside of the tank? How is it holding up?

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much! I really appreciate that 🙂 I DO NOT recommend painting the inside. It will chip and I believe frequent repainting will be necessary. I painted the outside of the tank and that has held up well and I have not repainted it. I also just painted a smaller stock tank I am using as a raised garden bed. If you want to see how the pool is holding up I will be sharing video in my Instagram stories and saving it to my highlight 😉

      Reply

  8. About how much of the base and sand did you use under your pool? I’m very new to this and despite your article being so helpful, I still feel so overwhelmed!

    Reply

    1. Hi Ashleigh, no worries! I totally get it. Just take it one step at a time. Honestly I don’t remember how many exactly. But to be truthful it will really depend on how level you can get the area. We have clay soil and it is very difficult to dig in. You will want the area to be as level and compacted as possible and then use the paver base and sand to fill in any voids. If I had to guess I would say 3-5 bags of each. Hope that helps 😉

      Reply

  9. Hey there!!

    I have followed along here pretty closely with my stock tank pool project and really appreciate you providing access to the info…it truly has helped!! I am about to drill the holes for the pool pump parts but wondered about the difference in measurements between the hole saw at 2.75″ (per your linked recommendation) and the pump parts (from the linked pump you recommended) at what look to be 2.25″ and if that disparity is OK and/or will it cause any leakage issues or should I trust its going to work and not overthink it?

    Reply

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