21 Stock Tank Pool Ideas Perfect for Relaxing in Your Backyard

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The short answer: a stock tank pool is a galvanized livestock tank turned into a small plunge pool. It is affordable, quick to set up and looks great with the right surroundings: a level base, a simple deck or gravel pad, a filter pump, some shade, warm lighting and a few planters to soften the metal.

Below are 21 stock tank pool ideas, from setup and decking to shade, lighting, planting and styling. Each one has a short “get the look” note, plus tips on keeping the water clean.

Five things every stock tank pool needs (we earn a small commission if you buy, at no cost to you):

INTEX sand filter pump: keeps the water clear without constant draining.
floating solar pool lights: a soft evening glow on the water.
10 ft patio umbrella: shade for you and the water on hot days.
solar string lights: turns the tank corner into an outdoor room at night.
Aqua hammock float: the perfect lazy float for a small pool.

Setup and base

1. Start with a level gravel pad

Save

A compacted, level pad of crushed gravel or pavers is the best base. It drains well and stops the tank shifting.

Get the look: a square of crushed gravel edged with steel or timber.

2. Choose the right size

Save

An 8 foot round tank fits two adults comfortably. A 6 foot tank works for a tiny yard or a quick cool off.

Get the look: an 8 ft round tank for lounging, 6 ft for small spaces.

3. Add a filter from day one

Save

A small sand or cartridge filter pump keeps the water clean and saves you emptying the tank every week.

Get the look: an above ground sand filter pump hidden behind a planter.

Decks and steps

4. A half sunken deck

Save

Building a deck around part of the tank makes it look built in and gives you a place to sit with your feet in the water.

Get the look: a cedar deck wrapping halfway around the tank.

5. A simple wood step

Save

A sturdy wooden step or two makes getting in and out easy and safe.

Get the look: a two tread wooden step against the tank.

6. Deck tiles on a budget

Save

Interlocking deck tiles on a level pad give a finished look without building a full deck.

Get the look: wood or composite interlocking deck tiles.

7. Pavers and pea gravel

Save

Large pavers with pea gravel between them feel modern and stay cool underfoot.

Get the look: large square pavers set in pea gravel.

Shade and comfort

8. A big umbrella

Save

A large umbrella shades the water and the loungers on hot afternoons.

Get the look: a 10 ft patio umbrella in a weighted base.

9. A pergola or shade sail

Save

A pergola or triangle shade sail turns the tank area into a proper outdoor room.

Get the look: a cedar pergola or a sand shade sail.

10. Loungers and a side table

Save

Two loungers, an outdoor rug and a small table make it easy to relax between dips.

Get the look: two loungers and a waterproof outdoor rug.

11. A towel and storage station

Save

A hook rail, a basket and a small bench keep towels, sunscreen and floats tidy.

Get the look: a hook rail on the fence and a lidded storage bench.

Want a deck that looks built in? Our DIY stock tank pool deck ideas show you how.

Lighting

12. Floating solar lights

Save

Glowing floats on the water make the tank feel magical at night.

Get the look: floating solar pool lights.

13. String lights overhead

Save

Lights strung from the fence or pergola make evening swims feel like a vacation.

Get the look: solar string lights across the space.

14. Lanterns along the deck

Save

A few lanterns or path lights on the deck add safety and a soft glow.

Get the look: battery or solar lanterns on the deck edge.

Planting and privacy

15. Tall grasses for softness

Save

Grasses around the tank sway in the breeze and soften the metal edges.

Get the look: ornamental grasses in tall round planters.

16. A privacy screen

Save

A slatted wood screen or tall bamboo gives privacy and a backdrop for the pool.

Get the look: a horizontal slatted cedar screen.

17. Potted olive trees

Save

Olive trees in big pots give a Mediterranean feel and light, dappled shade.

Get the look: two olive trees in large terracotta pots.

18. Climbing vines on the fence

Save

Jasmine or a flowering vine on the fence adds scent and color.

Get the look: star jasmine on wires along the fence.

Styling

19. Paint the outside of the tank

Save

A coat of metal paint in black, white or sage makes the tank look custom and modern.

Get the look: exterior metal paint on the outside of the tank only.

20. A floating tray and cushions

Save

A floating drinks tray and a couple of outdoor cushions on the edge make it feel like a hotel plunge pool.

Get the look: a floating drinks tray and an easy lounge float.

21. Keep it simple

Save

Two or three materials, a few plants and good light are all you need. Simple setups always look the most stylish. For more, see our stock tank pool ideas for a mini oasis.

Get the look: wood, galvanized metal and green plants.

How to keep stock tank pool water clean

Run a small filter pump for several hours a day, skim leaves daily, cover the tank when you are not using it, and test and balance the water regularly. A floating chlorinator or the sanitizer recommended for your filter will keep it clear through the season.

Stock tank pools in winter

In colder climates, drain the tank at the end of the season, clean and dry it, and store the pump indoors. Some people turn the tank into a raised garden bed or a planter over winter until it is warm enough to swim again.

Safety tips

Always supervise children around water, add a lockable cover or a fence if young children live nearby, and keep electrical pumps on a GFCI outlet away from splashes. Place steps securely so they cannot tip.