Stock tank pools -- very mustachian (in my view)

[evme]

I've been interested in having a pool for some time, but the cost to install plus ongoing maintenance/utilities just never worked for me. Recently I discovered the trend of "stock tank pools". You know, those metal tanks that are sold at farm or tractor supply stores. Apparently this is all the rage recently. Anyway, you can have a 8' diameter / 2' deep one installed and setup for well under $1000. Not exactly for swimming laps, but big enough to float around and cool off. So who here has one and have you had any problems or advice for a prospective owner?

Here's a couple articles for those unfamiliar with the idea:

http://www.heywandererblog.com/2017/06/diy-stock-tank-pool-everything-you-need.html
http://www.wideopeneats.com/stock-tank-pools-like-youve-never-seen-them-before/

[MayDay]

Interesting.

My parents bought a similar sized Intex pool for my kids last summer. They used it some but it wasn't a huge hit. Just not big enough.

I can see it being fun for toddlers but not so much for the elementary and up crowd.

[Jenny Wren]

My aunt had one on her farm when I was a kid in the 80s. I don't know about care, but it was set up every summer for the cousins and my uncle had a farm to run so likely wouldn't have set it up if it was hard to maintain.

I'm not sure why it would costs $1000? They had 10ft dm. tanks at the feed store for $400 when I drove by earlier today. You can get an intex pump for around $50, I would think, and the chem and testing kits for similar.

[nereo]

8' diameter and 2' deep is too shallow and too narrow for me and ofr that kind of coin.
If you are trying to do this relatively inexpensively, why not go for the classic above-ground pools?  Some quick searching suggests you could get one that's 2x the diameter and 2x as deep for under $2k, delivered.  That's more than 8x the volume, and deep enough where you could really splash around.

Of course, my personal opinion would be to join a club pool that's big and I can swim laps and where they take care of all the maintenance.  $1k will pay for a family membership for two full summers at a very nice club near us.  YMMV.

[evme]

My aunt had one on her farm when I was a kid in the 80s. I don't know about care, but it was set up every summer for the cousins and my uncle had a farm to run so likely wouldn't have set it up if it was hard to maintain.

I'm not sure why it would costs $1000? They had 10ft dm. tanks at the feed store for $400 when I drove by earlier today. You can get an intex pump for around $50, I would think, and the chem and testing kits for similar.

Yeah, you can probably do it for $500 or so. I might need to pour a concrete pad, get a shade umbrella, etc, so those are potential additional costs.

[evme]

8' diameter and 2' deep is too shallow and too narrow for me and ofr that kind of coin.
If you are trying to do this relatively inexpensively, why not go for the classic above-ground pools?  Some quick searching suggests you could get one that's 2x the diameter and 2x as deep for under $2k, delivered.  That's more than 8x the volume, and deep enough where you could really splash around.

Of course, my personal opinion would be to join a club pool that's big and I can swim laps and where they take care of all the maintenance.  $1k will pay for a family membership for two full summers at a very nice club near us.  YMMV.

I feel terrible after swimming in a traditional chlorine pool (skin reaction/chemical sensitivity), and public pools always seem to keep their chlorine levels near max. So that's not a good option for me. I'm not planning to live in my current home for more than 2-3 years so I didn't want to spend a lot on this. Stock tank pool seems like a good option. I just want to be able to float around in something in my back yard!

[Trifle]

OP -- have you looked into natural swimming pools?  If you DIY it, they can be fairly inexpensive.  You mention not liking chlorine pools, so this may be an idea for you.  The concept has been around a long time, and seems to be catching on in the US.  We have friends who put one in and it is wonderful.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/g1146/natural-swimming-pools/

https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/natural-swimming-pool-zmaz02aszgoe

[former player]

If you just want something where you can sit in water outside then a discarded bath would be even cheaper, easier to keep clean and fill/empty.  Put some planks on a frame around the outside for show and you're set.

[BTDretire]

I can't find a price on tanks as big a I see in your links, but Google express has 5 pools for under $350,
much bigger than the tank.
https://express.google.com/product/4642337147556929669_4247913213031779445_1699011?mall=WashingtonDC&directCheckout=1&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=product_ads&utm_campaign=gsx&dclid=CO7p7_yyo9sCFZFnAQodjSIKZQ
 Still need pump and filter and care.
Get a neighbor with a pool!

[evme]

If you just want something where you can sit in water outside then a discarded bath would be even cheaper, easier to keep clean and fill/empty.  Put some planks on a frame around the outside for show and you're set.

Yeah, I considered that, but I haven't found a tub that I like and fits me (I'm 6'4) where I could really stretch out.

[Mtngrl]

We had one when we were kids. We lived out in the country and no one we knew had a real pool, so this was a big hit with us kids.

[Carnivore_Plant_Mom]

As a farm kid I get a kick out of seeing people discover this kind of pool. We used to throw hay on HOT summer days and then cool off in (smaller) tanks than what you described. You may want to think about how you plan on cleaning out/emptying your tank of water. A 55 gallon Rubbermaid tank was easy enough to dump over when we were done. I fear you may have to empty yours with a bucket. At the same time if you want to add some sort of heater to your pool, consider pumping water through a lot of black garden house to collect solar heat, then returning it to the pool. On sunny days it can really boost the temp of the pool. Good luck!

[Hedge_87]

As a farm kid I get a kick out of seeing people discover this kind of pool. We used to throw hay on HOT summer days and then cool off in (smaller) tanks than what you described. You may want to think about how you plan on cleaning out/emptying your tank of water. A 55 gallon Rubbermaid tank was easy enough to dump over when we were done. I fear you may have to empty yours with a bucket. At the same time if you want to add some sort of heater to your pool, consider pumping water through a lot of black garden house to collect solar heat, then returning it to the pool. On sunny days it can really boost the temp of the pool. Good luck!

Yep. get done stacking hay, strip down to your buckeroos and float around for a while. emptying would be as simple as pulling a syphon on a hose might take all day but lot less work than a bucket. As younger kids though we would swim around in circles and create a "whirlpool".