Turn your Stock Tank into a Hot Tub!

Using a simple propane outdoor water heater from Amazon, you can turn your stock tank pool into a hot tub or heated pool in an afternoon. This setup can heat an 8’ stock tank about 5-10 degrees per hour, depending on your pool size and heater settings. These propane water heaters are designed to be placed outside and use propane from a standard 20 pound tank, the same as a gas grill!

Note: you’ll need to mount the outdoor water heater to something sturdy like the side of a house or a fence. Be sure to follow water heater instructions carefully and avoid mounting anything above the exhaust pipe.

First, the parts. Here are the parts you’ll need:

Next, the tools. Be sure to have these handy:

Then, pick your heater size. There are three sizes of propane water heaters, varying in price from about $120 - $330.

Check out this video of unboxing, installing, and setting up the Camplux 10L (2.58 gal/min) propane water heater!

Small Propane Heater 6L (Amazon): Great if you have a small stock tank (smaller than 8’). Or, if only need to add 10 degrees to an 8’ stock tank, it can do that in about 2 hours.

Medium Propane Heater 10L (Amazon): Perfect for large stock tanks, this is the one I use and recommend for most people. This heater can heat an 8’ tank about 10 F degrees per hour, or from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in about 3 hours. See the unboxing and setup video for more!

Large Propane Heater 16L (Amazon): This is the grand-daddy propane heater! It can heat a stock tank from 50 F degrees to 100 degrees in as little as 2 hours.

Lastly, install the heater, pump, fittings, and hoses.

In this video, I go over the installation of my heater, pump, fittings, and hoses. It’s fairly straightforward once you have all the parts and tools (it took a while to find the right parts). I also cover how to operate the heater. You can also see my drawing skills as I attempt to make a diagram of the system :)

I installed a heater on my stock tank pool (and it works)! Here’s how.

Large Outdoor Propane Water Heater (4.22 GPM)

Heat Output: 110,000 BTU/hr (adds about 15 F degrees / hr to an 8’ stock tank)

Bulkhead Fitting w/ Valve

Order TWO of these. These go through the side of the stock tank.

7/8” Hole Saw w/ Arbor

Use these to drill the holes for the bulkhead fittings.

Outdoor Power Strip (w/ Timer + Remote)

Medium Outdoor Propane Water Heater (2.64 GPM)

Heat Output: 68,000 BTU/hr (adds about 10 F degrees / hr to an 8’ stock tank)

Water Circulation Pump 3.3 GPM

Circulates water from pool through water heater. Works with both water heaters.

Inline Filter

Install this filter before the water goes through the heater.

Insulating Solar Cover

Small Outdoor Propane Water Heater (1.58 GPM)

Heat Output: 41,000 BTU/hr (adds about 5 F degrees / hr to an 8’ stock tank)

1/2” Tubing (20’)

This vinyl tubing connects your tank to the heater and pump. Cut to desired length.

1/2” Brass Adapters

These 1/2” adapters (w/ stainless clamps) connect the 1/2” tubing to garden hose fittings.