Highlights
Installing a stock pool tank costs an average of $945.
Materials like a filter, pump, and water cost $60 to $110.
For professional installation, expect to spend about $55 per hour.
Stock tank prices can range from $200 to $1,200, depending on size.
Installing a stock tank pool costs $945 on average. If you decide to save money and DIY, you’ll spend around $310 to $1,360. If you work with professionals or opt for a larger stock tank, you may spend up to $1,580.
When summer comes around, you probably start to think creatively about ways to keep cool. But thankfully, you can upgrade that kiddie pool that barely covers your legs in cool water with something more adult-sized: a stock tank pool.
| National Average Cost | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $945 | $310 | $1,580 |
Stock Tank Pool Cost Breakdown
Setting up a stock pool tank requires just a handful of materials. You can also hire professionals to help you level your yard or set up the pool properly.
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’ll spend about $10 or less total.
Liner: Many people opt to leave out a pool liner, which costs $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.
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’re 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 you want to put your stock tank pool.
Size
The bigger the stock tank, the more you’ll spend. One thing to note if you plan to order a stock tank online is that some retailers won’t 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’ll often get a stack of three or more stock tanks.
7-foot: $200–$400. A 7-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.
8-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.
9-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.
10-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.
11-foot: $800–$1,200. This size requires about 1,350 gallons of water. It will hold three adult floaties or around 10 to 11 people sitting down.
Cost to Install a Stock Tank Pool Yourself
A stock tank pool costs about $475 to $1,580 for the materials and professional installation. You can save money by setting it up yourself or choosing a smaller stock tank around 7 feet in diameter rather than the bigger options of around 11 feet.
Stock tank pools are usually about 2 feet deep, making them ideal for splashing, cooling off, or gliding along on your favorite float rather than swimming.
A stock tank pool may cost $310 to $1,360 for the tools and materials needed to install it yourself.
Tools: You’ll need a hole saw, drill, and silicone fittings, which will cost about $50 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’re a beginner, you should hire a pool installation professional to properly set up the stock tank pool to prevent a leaking or flooding pool.
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.
If you have intermediate DIY skills, you can set up the pool yourself and save about $200 in labor.
Another way to save money on this project is to choose the smallest stock tank size that you can still sit or float in comfortably. Smaller stock tank pools are less expensive. Opting for an oval stock tank instead of round can also save you a bit of money, and plastic stock tanks are about 35% less expensive than metal stock tanks.
Consider looking at local auctions or resale websites and retailers to find a used stock tank in good condition for your pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each time you drain the pool for winter, you’ll want to pressure wash it to keep the surface clean. You’ll also want to store away your stock tank in a garage or storage shed when you’re not using it, and cover it with a tarp to keep the interior in good condition for the following summer.
The ongoing maintenance costs will vary. You’ll spend about $25 to $50 each year on chlorine, $30 to $200 for a pool cover, and about $15 for a pool-testing kit. For cleaning, you can rent a pressure washer for about $30 or buy one for $75 to $700. A hand-skimmer to collect twigs, bugs, or other debris will cost $15 to $30.
If you’re setting up a pool, you probably want it in a sunny location so you can enjoy the warmth of rays on your skin while you float. But won’t the metal get hot?
Many stock pools are made with galvanized steel and are designed not to get too hot to touch. When your pool is full of water, it is less likely to get hot. The water might be warmer than it would be in an above ground pool, but it won’t be hot.
If you have kids and want to be extra cautious about the temperature of the stock tank, you may want to set up an umbrella for shade over the pool area.
Installing an inground pool costs $55,000 on average, while a stock tank pool costs around $945 to install.
You don’t need to excavate or lay a foundation for a stock tank pool. You should level the area you plan to put the stock tank, though. Also, stock tanks full of water and people can get heavy, so don’t place them on a deck or other raised structure.
