How to make a DIY Stock Tank Pool

Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your own stock tank pool.

The long, hot days of summer are upon us so most of us are looking for ways to keep cool. You could go to a lake or public pool, but have you considered making your own pool? How about making your own pool using a stock tank?

Stock tank pools are a cost-effective and a convenient way to provide you and your family with a cool and fun way to spend your summer. Plus, it will add some country, rustic charm to your backyard. Sound appealing? We thought so too, which is why Blain’s Farm & Fleet has made the following step-by-step instructions to help you try your hand at making your own DIY stock tank pool.

How to Make the Pool:

Step 1: Prepare Pool Location

Find a place in your yard to put your stock tank that is level and away from trees so you don’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning out leaves that have fallen into the pool. It’s also optional to lay down sand in the area where you’ll be placing your pool. It adds a nice touch to the look of your pool as well as adding a cushion to prevent any rocks from damaging the bottom of the tank.

You also want to make sure you are near an electrical outlet. There’s nothing worse than getting your pool set up and realizing you can’t plug in the pool filter because you’re too far away from an outlet.

Step 2: Set Up Pool Filter

Follow the instructions in your filter pump manual to get it set up. You can use a cartridge filter pump, which requires you to change out the filter every couple of weeks, or you have the option of using a sand filter pump, which requires you to add pool sand into the pump. Sand pumps are more expensive than cartridge pumps on the front end, but since you only need to replace the sand every couple of years, this filter system is more cost- efficient in the long-run. The filter system you use, though, is up to personal preference.

Step 3: Cut Two Holes in Stock Tank

You’ll want to position the two holes about 2-3 feet apart from each other and in the middle of the top half of the tank walls. Make sure that you measure the diameter of the valve attachments that’ll be fitted into the holes before you cut. It can become a hassle if you cut the holes too small and need to enlarge them, or more difficult yet, to try to correct holes that you’ve cut too big. You can cut the holes using a drill with a drill bit that’s slightly larger than the hole you need to cut.

Step 4: Attach Plunger Valves and Secure With Epoxy

When attaching the plunger valves, you’ll want the big, round end with the filter to go on the inside of the pool. To secure the valves, we recommend using both plumber’s epoxy and waterproof epoxy. Place a generous amount of plumber’s epoxy on the threads of the valve attachment that goes inside the pool as well as the threads of the valve attachment that goes on the outside of the pool. Push them together until they are tightly connected and let cure for 24 hours. You can use a wrench to help aid you in this step if needed. Once the epoxy is hardened, paint over the valves with the waterproof epoxy on any part that may leak, and then let it dry for another 24 hours.

It’s important to make sure that you do not epoxy the hose attachments as they will need to be removable when you are cleaning the pool.

Step 5: Attach Filter Hoses and Fill Pool

After waiting at least 24 hours for the epoxy to cure, attach the hoses to the filter and fill the pool with water. Examine the pool for any leaks. If any leaks are found, you will have to drain the pool, let it dry, and find the reason for the leak. It could be that the threads of the valve attachments are not properly lined up.

If no leaks are present, then you are ready to enjoy your new pool.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean the pool frequently to keep out excess dirt and debris. Pool skimmers work well to get debris off the water’s surface, and you can get a pool vacuum head to clean any dirt that has settled on the bottom. Cleaning your pool regularly will help keep your filters lasting longer and prevent clogging.
• Closely follow your filter’s manual for proper maintenance. If the inside of the filter gets dirty or filled with algae, it will make it hard to keep the rest of the pool clean. This creates more work for yourself.
• Use cleaning chemicals such as Bromine or Chlorine tablets, as well as pool shock treatments, to aid in your pool’s cleanliness. Bromine is less harsh than Chlorine, so it may be a good alternative for those who have sensitive skin. Read the instructions on each of these products for the proper application schedules, and also pick up pool testing kits so you can monitor your pool’s chemical levels.
• Drain and wash your pool about every 6-8 weeks. Even with proper cleaning and chemicals, your pool will still start to look dirty after a while (especially if it has a lot of usage). Performing a monthly deep clean of your pool will help keep it looking pristine.

There you have it! A DIY stock tank pool that’s not only cost-efficient and looks charming in your yard, but it also provides you with a summer full of fun with friends and family.

If you had fun with this project and are looking for more DIY ideas, Blain’s Farm & Fleet has you covered with our DIY blog that can give you plenty of inspiration.