Cost to Install a Stock Tank Pool

When summer comes around, you may start to think creatively about how to keep cool. Thankfully, there are ways to upgrade that kiddie pool that barely covers your legs to something more adult-sized—a stock tank pool. As the name suggests, this is a large tub, typically made of galvanized metal, that farmers use to water livestock. Stock tank pools are usually about two feet deep, making them ideal for splashing, cooling off, or gliding along on your favorite inflatable floatie rather than swimming.

Stock Tank Pool Cost Breakdown

Setting up a stock pool tank requires just a handful of materials. You can also hire professionals to help level your yard or set up the pool properly.

Size

The cost of a stock tank largely depends on the size. The bigger the stock tank, the more you will spend. One thing to note if you plan to order a stock tank online is that some retailers will not ship an individual stock tank, as they are huge and heavy, making them hard to ship. 

Stock tanks are designed to nest within each other, so when you order them online, you will often get a stack of three or more stock tanks.

• Seven-foot: $200–$400. A seven-foot pool, which holds about 550 gallons of water, is the smallest stock tank size to consider if you plan to make it into a pool.

• Eight-foot: $280–$570. This holds about 715 gallons of water and fits two adults on floaties or up to eight adults just sitting in the water.

• Nine-foot: $350–$700. This size will hold about two adults on floaties, or up to nine adults without floaties, in a little over 900 gallons of water.

• Ten-foot: $575–$900. Three adults on floaties can soak up the sun comfortably in this size tank, which holds about 1,120 gallons of water.

• Eleven-foot: $800–$1,200. This size requires about 1,350 gallons of water. It will hold three adult-sized floaties or around 10 to 11 people sitting down.

Materials

• Stock tank: Your stock tank will cost $200 to $1,200. Metal stock tanks generally cost more but are more durable. Some plastic tanks may also require a frame for support.

• Water: The cost to fill a swimming pool is about $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons of water. Most stock tanks large enough to serve as swimming pools will hold 550 to 1,120 gallons of water, so you will spend about $10 or less total.

• Liner: Many people opt to leave out a pool liner, which costs from $200 to well over $1,000. Liners can prevent rust, but it is hard to find ones small enough to fit stock tanks.

• Filter and pump: You may want to add a filter and pump for about $50 to $100 more to keep the tank clean.

Site Prep

Site preparation for a stock tank pool depends on how elaborate the area surrounding the pool will be. If you opt to place the pool directly on the ground, then the area just needs to be leveled. Contractors typically charge between $40 and $180 per hour, so if the ground is fairly level already, site prep should not take much time or money to complete.

If you decide to build a pool deck, the cost will fall around $3,000 for a small deck and can go as high as $12,000 for a large deck. The type of decking you choose will also impact the pool deck cost. 

Labor

Hiring a local swimming pool installation professional will cost about $55 per hour and will take about three or four hours total. If you are having trouble leveling your yard, you may also want to hire a local landscaping company for $50 to $150 per hour to grade the area.

Ongoing Expenses of Stock Tank Pool Installation 

As with any pool, a stock tank pool comes with some pool maintenance costs, though it likely will not cost you as much as maintaining an in-ground or larger above-ground pool.

Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance for a stock tank pool requires regular cleaning and treatment. Chlorine helps keep the pool free of bacteria, discoloration, and bad smells, and costs between $25 and $50 each year.

You should test the pool water every one to two weeks to ensure a proper balance of chlorine, bromine, and pH levels. A water testing kit costs between $15 and $25 and can include up to a hundred tests. You will likely need to buy a water testing kit every year if you test frequently.

You will need to wash the exterior of the stock tank at least yearly or whenever it becomes dirty. You can do this with plain soap and water and elbow grease, or you can rent a pressure washer for about $30. If you know that you will be using it frequently, you could buy a pressure washer for anywhere between $75 and $700. 

Daily maintenance is just a matter of skimming leaves, twigs, and bugs from the surface using a hand skimmer that costs between $15 and $30 and is a one-time purchase.

Repairs

Rust is the main concern when it comes to stock tank pool repairs. If you find rust, you can remove it fairly easily using vinegar and a wire brush and then follow up with a treatment of naval jelly or rust dissolver following the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the rust is removed, clean the area and paint the area with a zinc-rich paint.

Cost to Install a Stock Tank Pool Yourself

Photo: Elijah Hurwitz / Adobe Stock

A stock tank pool costs about $475 to $1,580 for materials and professional installation. You can save money by setting it up yourself or choosing a smaller stock tank around seven feet in diameter, rather than the bigger options of around 11 feet.

If you want to install it yourself, a stock tank pool may cost $310 to $1,360 for tools and materials.

• Tools: You will need a hole saw, drill, and silicone fittings, which will cost about $50 in total, to set up your stock tank pool.

• Stock tank materials: The stock tank, water to fill it, and filter and pump will cost $260 to $1,310.

Cost to DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor

Installing a stock tank pool is doable for DIYers with intermediate experience, and setting up this type of pool yourself may save you about $150 to $200 in labor costs. But if you are a beginner, you should hire a pool installation professional to set it up properly to prevent leaking or flooding.

Cost of Common Stock Tank Pool Add-Ons 

• Pool skimmer: $15–$30

• Chlorine float: $10–$20

• Chlorine tablets: $25–$50 

• Water testing kit: $15–$25 

• Vacuum: $20–$150  

• Pool cover: $30–$200 

• Pool lights: $40–$70

How to Save Money When Installing a Stock Tank Pool

Instead of ordering a stock tank online, where you might actually end up buying three or more for bulk shipping requirements, you can save money by purchasing a stock tank from a local retailer. If you have a truck or other vehicle able to haul the stock tank, you may also skip delivery fees.

Another way to save money on this project is to choose the smallest stock tank size that you can sit or float in comfortably, as these are less expensive. Opting for an oval stock tank instead of round can also save money, and plastic stock tanks are about 35% less expensive than metal. Consider looking at local auctions or resale websites and retailers to find a used stock tank in good condition.