How Much Does A Stock Tank Pool Cost?
We get asked so often about how much a stock tank pool costs. And the truth is there isn’t a simple answer. If you were to get your stock tank pool installed by a professional, you would have a set cost that would include all the parts, the stock tank, the delivery, and the installation. I’m sure if you are here you are wanting to know how much it would cost for you to DIY your stock tank pool on your own! But if you are interested in a professional installation, you can find information on that here. For your DIY, let’s go through the things you need and how much they might cost you.
In terms of stock tank pool cost, there are two different things that should be considered- initial set-up and maintenance. The initial set-up cost is definitely what is the bigger cost, which is good news! However, it is important to know what you will have to spend to keep your stock tank pool beautiful and clean for years to come.
Initial Set-up
Stock Tank Cost- pricing varies greatly depending on where you live, what size you are buying, what brand you are buying, and how much of a delivery fee you are paying. This could be anywhere from $350-$1200. You can find smaller sizes for less but most people are looking for at least an 8 ft. stock tank. We highly discourage going with anything smaller than an 8 ft. unless your yard simply can handle the size. A 7 ft. could allow for one adult person to float around freely, but it would be a tight squeeze for 2 adult people to float. So if you are buying a stock tank for yourself, that’s definitely an option. But for the sake of this post, we are talking about sizes 8 ft.- 11 ft.
In terms of the brand of your stock tank, any one will do! A Hastings tank is going to the be the sturdiest you can get, but that will also mean they cost a little bit more. Certainly worth it in the long run if you can get your hands on one! (If you are in Texas or Nashville, we sell and deliver Hastings tanks.) The stock tanks that you find at big box stores are a thinner metal, but they still work! Those will cost a little less, although their prices went up this year so it’s not much cheaper. If you are looking for a size bigger than 8 ft., you won’t find it at one of these places for the most part. Check out our post about where to buy a stock tank for tips on finding what you want near where you live.
The price of your stock tank will go up with sizing. This is self-explanatory, but the bigger the tank, the more money it will cost. And lastly, if you don’t have a way to transport your stock tank, you’ll have to find someone to deliver it for you. This cost depends on who you hire, how far away you are from the stock tank’s location, and how much they charge.
Pool Pump Cost- The prices of pool pumps have skyrocketed since we got our first stock tank pool in 2016. To get the best deal try to buy your pump in the off season in fall/winter but even this past fall/winter (2020), the price didn’t go down as much as they have in the past. With all of that said you are more than likely going to spend at least $200 but they can go up to $500. I do think that prices will go down this coming Fall/Winter as prices this summer are lower than last summer and there seems to be less of a supply issue. We talk about the pros and cons of each kind of pump in The Stock Tank Pool Guide, but know that the nicer the pump you get, the more it will cost. Over winter you will probably be able to get a less powerful pump for $100, BUT know that that" “deal” won’t necessarily last very long. Definitely check out our guide if you want more in-depth info about different pumps and what they do.
Extra Pool Pump Parts- One thing I think people forget is that pool pumps are made for above ground pools that already have parts. They are really made for above ground pool pump replacements and upgrades. This means that in order to make your stock tank pool, you will have to buy a few extra things to be able to connect the pool pump to the stock tank. The price of these items have gone up drastically as well and at times they are hard to find. You can still get them though! The cheapest route could cost you about $50, but right smack in the middle of summer you are looking at something more like $125.
Hole Saw & Silicone- The rest of the things you will need for your DIY are always accessible. You’re looking at about $20-$25 total year round. If you don’t have a drill already, that’s a cost to consider as your hole saw will need a drill to attach to. Or even better, find someone who would let you borrow a drill!
Maintenance
Chlorine- This is how you sanitize your pool. You won’t need a ton, but the pricing can vary. This Winter we bought a larger pack of chlorine for about $25. We had the same 2 lbs. of chlorine for the 2 years before that, so I imagine this one will last a while. You really don’t use much, so a little will go a long way. However, this year the chlorine costs have been very high. Like $50 for 2 lbs. But when you think about how much you use, that chlorine will stretch out for a long time. So plan on spending about $10-$50 every year. Although I do think that is an overestimate!
Chlorine Floater- You will need something to keep your chlorine in so it doesn’t touch the bottom of your tank. The chlorine floater is something that could cost you $5-$25 and is something that will last for years, meaning you won’t have to replace it for a long time. We use this one because it’s the smallest one and has plenty of space for the small amount of chlorine you put in it. But you could also go with something more flashy like a chlorine floater with a rubber ducky or flamingo on top. We find these annoying sometimes as the amount of chlorine you use isn’t strong enough to hold the floater upright, but it is certainly an option!
Hand Skimmer- This is something we think you absolutely need to keep your stock tank pool clean. I prefer the regular pool sized ones (like this one) as I think they work better, but really any one will help you get debris out. Plan for about $15-$25 for one of these.
Pool Cover- You can get many different cover options for your stock tank pool, from furniture covers to solar covers. Plan for $30-$200.
Water Test Kit- This will run you about $10-$15 and the pricing doesn’t vary much throughout the year. Here’s the one we use.
Vacuum- You can literally find a vacuum head to attach to your pump for $10, but you can also get something fancy for like $100+. A vacuum isn’t entirely necessary, but it is nice to have to get small particles off the pool floor. You could also just use a wet vac every now and then if you already have one.
Okay! So I think that is everything that could cost you money when putting in a stock tank pool. This is of course not including an add-ons like building a deck or painting the outside. If you’ve been keeping track, the cost of your stock tank pool DIY & Maintenance could be anywhere from around $650- $2250. That’s obviously a wide range, but I’d say that in the middle of summer for an 8 ft. stock tank pool DIY, you are looking at something right in the middle.
I hope this information was helpful! If you are ready to do your stock tank pool DIY and want some more in-depth information, check out our Stock Tank Pool Guide! It includes info on:
Safety
Prepping your space
How To Install
Stock Tank Pool Care
Dealing With Rust
Troubleshooting
Pro Tips
Product Links & More