Does the tank get too hot?
Great question, and no! As long as the tank is filled with water, neither the metal nor the water will get too warm to touch or use. The water usually doesn’t get above 90 for most places in the southern US. In the picture below, I’m holding the bare metal in direct sun on a ~100 F degree day (the water temp is about 87 F). That said, having shade from an umbrella or tree definitely keeps the water cooler in the summer. Some people choose to cut a pool noodle lengthwise to cover/cushion the metal rim but it’s not required.
Do they need to painted or sealed?
Nope! In fact, I recommend against it! All steel tanks are galvanized with a zinc coating which resists rust, corrosion, and paint 😬. They’re also sealed at the seams with a special industrial sealant so they don’t leak. It’s possible to paint them, but if you do, be aware that 1) it can be somewhat expensive ($100 - $200) and 2) it’s time consuming because you’ll need to prep the surface, otherwise you’ll end up with a pealing, flaking mess! Check out my painting guide here for more!
How do I treat the water? Should I use chlorine or saltwater?
Water treatment is surprisingly simple! Most people choose to use a simple floating chlorine dispenser. I recommend using 1-3 one inch chlorine tabs per week (typically used for spas and hot tubs). Any more than that and your tank’s galvanized coating may be compromised.
Saltwater is possible, but I don’t recommend it for steel tanks as I’ve heard of some people having trouble with rust on their tank. If you want saltwater, I recommend using a poly (plastic) tank.
What size are the tanks?
Virtually all stock tanks are 2’ deep. There are round tanks, in 6’ and 8’ diameters (8’ is the most common). In fact, the 8’ Big Kahuna kit is the most popular page of this website. 10’ foot tanks can be found, but are less common. Then there are also oval tanks in 2x4, 2x6, and 3x8 sizes. Check out all the sizes of stock tanks and links to purchase.
How do buy and transport them?
They’re available at most agricultural stores in the US and Canada. Tractor Supply is probably the most common and they deliver in some areas and you can buy online. Otherwise, you will need to transport them yourself using a pickup truck or trailer. The 8’ round tanks are really big, so DO NOT try to transport them on the roof of car or SUV. Time to call in a favor to your friends with trucks :)
How do you keep the water clean?
With a filter pump (designed for above ground pools), chlorinating tabs, and a leaf skimmer! Check out my 3 step Stock Tank Pool DIY Guide. It takes about 90 minutes and just about anyone can do it!
Can you heat them?
Yes! I recommend two ways 1) a solar pool cover add 10 degrees on a sunny day and 2) a propane heater can heat it to hot tub temperatures. See my guide to installing a propane heater on a stock tank pool.
Do they get too hot?
Nope! The metal is an excellent heat absorber so it only gets as warm as the water. In Tennessee that’s about 85-90 degrees in the summer. Even in Texas and Arizona they are surprisingly refreshing, especially if you can keep them shaded for part of the day.
How much do they cost?
The short answer is about $600: an 8’ tank (most popular) is $400 from Tractor Supply, and the pump, fittings, and accessories are another $200. The propane heater kit I recommend is about $400. (LITD)
How about the maintenance?
Maybe 1-2 hours per month. Replace or clean the filter cartridges every 2-4 weeks and add chlorine tabs and skim the water once /week. (Mention foam filters, LITD)
Should I paint them?
You can paint stock tanks, yes, however, they do not *need* to be painted. Remember they’re made for farms so the galvanized metal is very durable and resists both rust *and paint* quite well. Keep in mind, to paint them correctly takes prep work and a LOT of cans of spray paint. i outlined the 6 steps to paint a stock tank in a previous blog post. Without prepping the the surface first, paint on a stock tank will peel and flake. I repeat, do not paint a stock tank without first prepping the surface. A product called Flex Seal has been touted, but I have not seen very good results from other people and I highly discourage it.
Is there an electrocution risk?
You always need to exercise caution around electricity and water, but when you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations you’ll be safe. The pump filter is designed for above ground pools and includes a Ground-Fault Interrupt (GFI) plug for safety.
While we’re talking about safety...
Drowning prevention is just as important for stock tank pools as it is for regular pools, particularly for children under 6. Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for children between the ages of 1 and 4. Always follow pool safety guidelines from the CPSC. See the safety and drowning prevention section of this website for more.
✅ NEVER 🙅♂️ allow a child in or near a stock tank pool without continuous, hawk-like adult supervision.
✅ ALWAYS ensure your child is wearing a US Coast Guard Approved personal floatation device (PFD). How about a Baby Shark PFD? Buy on Amazon.
✅ Install a 4-sided pool safety fence or barrier to prevent physical access to the pool by children. Buy on Amazon.
✅ Install a (loud) door alarm / chime on any doors or windows that allow direct or indirect access to the pool, to alert you if the door is opened. Buy on Amazon.
✅ Install a pool motion alarm to detect motion in the water. Buy on Amazon.
✅ Never have electricity ⚡️ near the pool (extension cords, string lights, etc.) without Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) protection. Buy on Amazon. (Note: the Intex filter pump has GFCI built into the plug)
So that’s it, your questions answered! If you have more questions, drop them in the comments below! And if you liked this post, please share it with friends on social media or via email!
