We've had the new pool up for about a month now, and it has been really wonderful. It doesn't get too terribly hot here, but it's so nice to have something like this to cool down in.
Instead of getting one of those big vinyl monstrosities (that will never biodegrade), or something like a spa (which we would have to have craned in over the roof), we invested in a 8 foot diameter, 2 foot deep, galvanized steel stock tank. My husband piped in a small pool filter with some gaskets and plumbers putty, and we have not had to add any chlorine or other ph balancers. It ended up costing about $500, including the filter and delivery of the tank. (The six foot diameter tanks were about $100 less) About five times more than a similarly sized vinyl job, but I think it is totally worth it.
Later in the year we plan to replace the tubing out of the tank with copper pipes, and maybe pipe in one of those chofu style propane heaters. Even adding the cost of that, it would still be about half the price of a hot tub. Add a fountain pump, and it's a water feature. We thought it might be too shallow, but it's perfect to sit in, and leaning up against the side is surprisingly comfortable. Success!
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26 comments:
love this. lots. so many questions... (but later).
red@redneckmodern.com
I love this idea! So cool.
Love this idea, but can't find anywhere in the UK that seems to sell "stock tanks".
Any idea what alternative terms I could try popping into Google? any other names for these tanks?
I tried google.co.uk for water troughs and stock troughs, it seems like that's more like the term to search for.
I imagine they would have these at large ranch supply, or most places that serve cattle farmers or horse ranches.
Hope that helps...
WHOA! This is awesome!
That's a brilliant idea! Definitely one I'll implement if I ever have a yard. Careful about the hot tub idea, though - without insulation you'll burn energy like crazy.
I grew up swiming in a tank just like it! what a blast, i love it.
Thanks for sharing this great alternative to a plastic pool!
This is brilliant!
I want a simple shallow pool for those hot days, but HATE those nasty blue things!
Now if my husband and I were just that handy...perhaps next summer this will be the project!
Thanks!
When I was little my Uncle made one very similar for us to swim in! It's the perfect idea. We had several years of fun with it. When we were too old for it he gave it to an area farmer.
oh i love that!!
awesome! I'm very impressed with your husband's ingenuity! Definitely something we will investigate when we finally move into our own home. Enjoy!
This is the only type of swimming pool we had a a child. So many memories you have stirred up!
much better than those blue vinyl blobs...great idea
I grew up on a farm in South Central Kansas and that is exactly what we used for a swimming pool. Dad would put the stock tank onto the patio right outside the back door. We had so much fun cooling off there during the scorching hot days of summer. Thanks for the happy reminder.
Just brilliant!
yeah I love it too. it is so classy!
it's beautiful! and functional! and green!
simply rocks.
Grew up with one of these too--in south Oklahoma, only our water was that traditional red color...And the cows drank from it too. If you get enough small girls running round the edge, you can make a whirlpool.
Since it's just the two of us here on the farm, during the summer we cool off in a 100-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank that we fill with cool water from our deep well - so refreshing. But every time I see tanks like yours at the farm store, I start thinking maybe we should trade up. I love that you even hooked up a filter to yours! ;)
This is amazing, I wish that we had one in our back yard, now I can add that to my dream list!
That is so freakin clever , I love the look
LURVE THIS!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Hi, Just came across this through an online search. My husband just brought home one of these from the farm for our kids to swim in. They are loving it!! :) I was wondering if you had any additional thoughts on maintenance or cleaning now that a year has passed since the original post. Did the pump completely take care of the filtering? Did you have any issues with bacteria? Or pH? Thanks for any insight you can give.
Just bought my tank and filled it yesterday. Loads of wonderful childhood memories flooding back. Can you give me some detail on the filter system you intalled? Size, price, brand? Off to the pool supply store in the enxt day or so.
I used to swim in stock tanks as a kid, LOL they were real used tanks though, one for our horse. But that didn't stop me from hoping in. so this brings back memories for me!
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