Stock Tank Pool - Budgeting With Boys % % % % %

My family and I live in Texas where you absolutely need some sort of pool to stay cool during the summer months. Purchasing an in ground pool was out of the question for us due to cost. The first year we lived in our house, I bought the standard kiddie pool. The kiddie pool is fine for younger kids but I quickly realized we needed something bigger that the adults could enjoy also. I did a lot of research and decided to build a Stock Tank Pool.

Getting Started on the Stock Tank Pool

I highly recommend reading Hey Wanderer’s blog post on how they built a Stock Tank Pool. That particular blog offers great step by step instructions on how to complete a Stock Tank Pool. While I used Hey Wanderer’s blog post as a guide, I ran into some problems along the way that I had to tackle myself. Follow me as I walk you through my journey of building my very own Stock Tank Pool.

Materials

Installing the Pool Base

We purchased our Stock Tank from Tractor Supply and opted to have them deliver it to our house for an additional cost. Prior to the Stock Tank being delivered, we had the area we wanted the pool to be placed leveled. Since we were already doing a professional addition to our patio, we had them level the pool area for us and install an exterior electrical outlet near the pool. It is important your Stock Tank Pool is placed near an electrical outlet because you need electricity to run the Pool Pump.

We had our Stock Tank inlayed into our grass with a sand base to keep it level. You can put your Stock Tank pretty much anywhere but you must ensure the Stock Tank is level or you will run into a host of problems.

Once Tractor Supply delivered the Stock Tank, my husband and I pushed it into the backyard and set it into the area we had already designated for the pool. When you receive your Stock Tank, just ensure there is no major damage. There will be a seam inside the pool where the pool was welded together.

Prepping for the Pump

Make sure your electric drill is fully charged before moving forward in the Stock Tank building process. Attach your 2 3/4 Diameter Hole Saw with Arbor to your drill. This is the step in the process where we had the most problems. Ideally, one hole should be placed near the top of the Stock Tank and a second hole should be placed near the bottom. The first hole should not be placed too high because the attachment that will be placed there needs to be submerged under water.

The first attempt at drilling the hole led to the drill attachment breaking. The reason the attachment broke was because we were trying to slowly drill the hole. My husband kept turning the drill on and off while easing the attachment into the Stock Tank which ultimately led to the drill attachment completely breaking off.

On our second attempt, we applied constant pressure to the drill while continuously drilling without stopping until the metal hole was completely cut through the Stock Tank. We repeated the same technique on the second hole with great success.

Attaching the Pump

The place where I drilled the top hole for the pool filter valves to be placed had a decorative ridge running through it. I did not was afraid the decorative ridge would cause a sealing issue for the filter valves. Using a hammer, I flattened the decorative ridge by hitting it repeatedly with a hammer on the inside of the pool. While this may not be the most inventive idea to get around the decorative ridge, it did work. Ideally we should have placed the hole slightly higher on the pool to avoid the ridge all together.

Next, I attached the top valve on the Stock Tank. Due to the fact I hammered out the top hole, I placed two rubber washers on the Adjustable Pool Inlet Jet. Once the rubber washers were in place, I attached the Adjustable Pool Inlet Jet with the Inlet Threaded Air Connector to the interior of the Stock Tank Pool. I secured the Pool Inlet Jet to the pool with the Strainer Nut. Lastly, I attached the Plunger Valve with Rubber Washer to the Pool inlet Jet.

Once the top hole was finished, I moved to the second hole on the Stock Tank Pool where the Strainer Grid would be placed. This time I only place one rubber washer on the Strainer Grid because I did not have as big of a gap on the bottom. I attached the Strainer Grid with the Inlet Threaded Air Connector to the interior of the Stock Tank Pool. I secured the Strainer Grid to the pool with the Strainer Nut. Lastly, I attached the Plunger Valve with Rubber Washer to the Pool inlet Jet.

Caulking is Key to Avoiding Leaks!

Once every attachment is securely in place and tightened down on the Stock Tank Pool, begin applying silicone caulk to the interior and exterior valves. This weatherproof silicone caulk sealant will prevent leaks from occurring from the holes you cut in your Stock Tank to attach the Pump.

When I say add sealant, I mean apply at least 2-3 coats of sealant around the interior and exterior valve connectors. Always allow the sealant to dry completely between coats.

When you think you have sealed the holes completely and everything is set, shoot a hose at the sealant area to see if there are any leaks present. Do not fill up the pool completely without checking for leaks because then you will have to drain the pool, which is just a waste of time and energy. If you see a leak, simply add more sealant and test it again with the hose when the sealant dries. If the sealant holds up, it is time to move on to attaching hoses and filling the stock tank!

Finishing Pump Set Up

The remainder of the pump set up is pretty straight forward. Attach the two hoses to the plunger valves and tighten them down. Connect the hoses to the pool pump and tighten them. I kept my plunger valves locked at this point until the pool was completely filled. Place the pool pump flat on the ground and plug it in but keep the pump off.

Filling the Stock Tank Pool

Now that everything is in place, take your garden hose and fill up your pool to your desired height. The pool water needs to completely cover the top valve. As you are filling, triple check your valves to make sure they are still good and not leaking.

Place two chlorine tabs into your chlorine floater and toss it into the pool.

Testing the Pump

Once everything is in place, unlock the inlet valves and turn your pool pump on and let it run. If there is no water jetting out of the top Jet Nozzle, simply unscrew the valve on the pool pump above the filter location to release some of the air.

General Maintenance and Care

I purchased a hand help pool strainer to keep the pool grass and debris free. I add two chlorine tablets to the chlorine floater once a week.

Run the pool pump for two hours a day everyday. There is a timer on the pool pump which I use to allow easy no hassle cleaning. The pump filter needs to be replaced every month. Buy the pool filter replacements in bulk through Amazon or Walmart.

Enjoy Your Summer

Since the completion of the Stock Tank Pool , my kids have been in the pool everyday! This Pool has been a saving grace during this crazy quarantine time period. Start your DIY Stock Tank Pool Project today and start enjoying your backyard for summer!