9 Best Stock Tank Pool Ideas | Creative DIY Swimming Pools (2024)

I’ve made a list of the BEST stock tank pool designs to inspire you for your own galvanized pool in your backyard! Each of these creative DIY swimming pools are unique, with some that are painted, and some having steps and surrounding decks. All of them are incredibly fun and creative ideas for outdoor pool designs!

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9 Best Stock Tank Pool Ideas | Creative DIY Swimming Pools

You might first be asking –

What's a stock tank pool?

A stock tank is traditionally used as a watering trough for livestock, that has recently become trendy to turn into DIY swimming pools. You can easily turn these galvanized stock tanks into a pool by adding a pump with a filter system, and keeping it clean with chlorine tabs in a pool cleaner floater.

There has been lots of buzz the last couple years with this affordable and trendy pool option, and the designs that people have come up with are super creative!!

Before we designed our own stock tank pool, I searched the web for the most creative pool designs and deck ideas. I wanted to share with you my top favorite stock tank pools I’ve found, in case you are searching for your own ideas on how to design your own DIY swimming pool!

Best Stock Tank Pools That Are Painted

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Sun Woven‘s gorgeous light blue stock tank pool was the first galvanized pool I saw painted. She first had it painted blue and now it is a bright yellow. Seeing her post about painting her pool really pushed me to go out on a limb to paint mine!

I also love her views on painting the stock tank pool – she says that painting the pool might not be for everyone – if you are an overly perfectionist, or not OK with having to do touch-ups over time, DON’T paint. But, I am perfectly OK with having to do paint touch-ups every so often, if it means I can have a bright color painted pool in my backyard!

Best Stock Tank Pool Ideas With Bench Seating or Deck

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Hey Wanderer is the original stock tank pool that made these galvanized swimming pools SO popular! They have so much helpful DIY tutorials on their website on how to setup your stock tank pool, how to clean your stock tank pool, and even how to turn your stock tank pool into a hot tub!

Their site is my go-to for all things stock tank pool related. I also love the wrap around bench they built around their pool for extra seating (they also have a tutorial on how to build a pool bench!)

Creative Stock Tank Pool Design with Pool Liner

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I would have NEVER thought of putting in a pool liner on a stock tank pool, until I saw Cuckoo 4 Design pool idea. The pool liner ideas is so creative! If you are worried about rust and leaking, this looks like a great option. She gives a full tutorial on how to install the pool liner on her blog. Plus, she also includes how they built this pool around a sloped area in her backyard.

All My Favorites: Painted Stock Tank Pool with Deck and Steps

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My all-time favorite designs are the stock tank pools that have paint + also have steps and wrap around bench seating. I might be a little biased, because these are the options that I chose for my own stock tank pool design! Painted stock tank pools add such a fun design element to the backyard. This painted black stock tank pool by Emerson Grey Designs is so sleek and modern!

When we first designed our deck for the pool, we didn’t have steps or a wrap around bench. After we saw our kids playing in the pool it made since for us to add both of these. The steps make it easy for our young kids to get in and out of the pool. And the bench seat helps add extra seating for those that want to sit and watch or just put their feet in.

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What are your favorite design elements for stock tank pools? I just love seeing the unique ideas that everyone is coming up with for these DIY swimming pools! Let me know if you have any stock tank pool questions in the comments. I’ll be happy to answer – I love talking about all things stock tank!

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Buy Your Stock Tank Pool Online from Tractor Supply! We have the 8 Ft CountyLine Extra Large Galvanized Round End Stock Tank (This is the biggest size) You can order online here and pickup at your local Tractor Supply store. Or you can order online and get it delivered to your house (if you don’t have a Tractor Supply nearby or a vehicle to fit it in!)

SHOP STOCK TANK SUPPLIES BELOW!

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9 Best Stock Tank Pool Ideas | Creative DIY Swimming Pools (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of a stock tank pool? ›

The cons of stock tank pools:

Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs. If you don't properly maintain your pool, this will become a problem. While installation and set-up is doable for a moderately handy DIYer, it is nearly impossible to haul stock tank pools on your own.

What is the best size stock tank for a pool? ›

The first thing to do is get the right tank. Most people opt for a 6- or 8-foot round pool. The 6-foot tank usually fits only two adults or a couple of kids. I wanted an 8-foot tank because my husband and I often host our neighbors or relatives (when we aren't in the midst of a pandemic).

What is the best surface for a stock tank pool? ›

Swim on solid ground.

Some people will place the tank on a concrete slab; others will level out an area in their backyard and add sand, mulch, or pea gravel. You can level the area yourself or contact a local lawn-care company.

Do stock tank pools need a filter? ›

"We definitely recommend getting a small pump and filter or aerator," a Tractor Supply Company spokesperson tells CountryLiving.com. "As they transfer and move the stock tank water, they keep the water from getting too hot, prevent algae and other buildup, and prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

What is the life expectancy of a stock tank pool? ›

I will say that we read that above ground pools usually last about three years, but a stock tank can last well over 10 if you take care of it.

Do stock tank pools get hot to the touch? ›

Any part of the steel tanks that are touching water will not get too hot to the touch in direct sun, though the top lip of the tanks can get hot in direct sun as water is not generally filled to the very top.

Should stock tank pool be in shade or sun? ›

The key to keeping your stock tank pool cool in the summer is SHADE. In fact, many customers report that their pool stays quite chilly in the shade, even when its scorching outside. We suggest choosing a sunny spot and using an umbrella or shade sail to shade the area if needed.

What is the average cost of a stock tank pool? ›

Normal range: $610 - $1,360

Installing a stock tank pool will cost $945 on average, depending on the size. Most homeowners spend between $610 and $1,360 .

How many people fit in an 8ft stock tank pool? ›

The 8′ round pool fits around six people comfortably, while the 5′ long stock tank pool fits one or two people comfortably. Pool pump with built in sand filter – This makes it easier to maintain and just need to change out the sand occasionally.

What is a cowboy swimming pool? ›

Cowboy Pool is a euphemism. The item in question is a galvanized steel livestock drinking tank. The best place to buy one is literally called Tractor Supply. And while these vessels do certainly hold water, they are not swimming pools, I thought. I did not want farm equipment in my backyard.

What can you use instead of chlorine in a stock tank pool? ›

The last thing to do is to add something to maintain a clean sparkling pool and to keep bacteria in check. Instead of chlorine, my friends at Stock Tank Love suggested a natural alternative of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. Chlorine has some side effects that I'd rather do without and this option really works great.

Can you put a liner in a stock tank pool? ›

Do stock tank pools rust? As I mentioned above, stock tank swimming pools will eventually rust because they are made for regular drinking water. Adding either salt or chlorine to the water will eat away the galvanization and the pool will start to rust which is why we added the liner.

Can you use chlorine in a stock tank pool? ›

A lot of stock tank pool owners use 1” chlorine tablets and a floating dispenser. We choose to treat our stock tank pool with concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide. It's gentle on our son's sensitive skin, and we can reuse it on our plants.

Are stock tanks safe to swim in? ›

Pools present a drowning risk, no matter their size or depth. Children should never be left unattended in a pool, whether stock tanks or not. Even though a stock tank is 2' shallow they still present a drowning and safety hazard. Children and adults can drown in as little 6" of water.

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