stock tank pool with pool liner built into our sloped yard

​Find out how we added a stock tank pool in our sloped yard and made it work for long-term usage by protecting the stock tank from rusting with a pool liner.
We didn't have enough space for a standard pool and having a stock tank was really the only option. The rock retaining wall is the perfect place to sit and hang your feet into the stock tank pool.
I recommend that you also check out my blog post to see more photos of our stock tank pool and read about the process. I will be updating my post frequently: cuckoo4design.com/our-new-sto...
You can also see how we covered the pool pump in my blog post below:
cuckoo4design.com/the-perfect...
And I also wrote a blog post about how the pool looked after our first winter:
cuckoo4design.com/opening-up-...
This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure here:
cuckoo4design.com/privacy-pol...
stock tank pool from Tractor Supply Company: www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...
Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump for Above Ground Pools, 10-inch: amzn.to/2EGuQsO
filter sand: amzn.to/2HI7iWq
waterproof calk: amzn.to/2HF3Bke
8-foot pool liner: amzn.to/2WlLvMn
You could add a decorative medallion too: amzn.to/2ED2Rdj
bamboo fence: amzn.to/2EE9vju
or this bamboo fence: rstyle.me/+T4uNCdKdwgEW1eJ5bT...
or that bamboo fence: www.foreverbamboo.com/natural...
skimmer: amzn.to/2WqJOND
small pool vacuum: amzn.to/2Qs6bwK
water test kit: amzn.to/2WuTOp8
chlorine tablets: amzn.to/2Wwby3l
chlorine tablet float: amzn.to/2EGwwCC
frog log: amzn.to/2WxZyhE
paver base sand: rstyle.me/+PIgOFjVyv5dgYjx_WT...
large spring clamps: amzn.to/2WtOIJB
2 3/4” hole saw drill bit: rstyle.me/+2qmt8olWV8-x0pNc3v...
power drill
rake
2B stone
landscaping rocks
2x4 piece of wood and level
water inlet and outlet parts to connect to the pump:
Intex Pool Inlet Air Water Jet Replacement Part Kit which comes with plunger valve (number 10747): amzn.to/2EEzM15
The kit comes with plunger valve (number 10747), air jet valve (number 12363), air jet valve cap (number12373), inlet threaded air connector 1050-1900, part number 12371 and adjustable pool inlet jet nozzle (number 12369) but I didn't use the 2 strainer connectors (number 11070) and 2 strainer grids (number 11072) from the kit because I wanted the setup to be how I've seen them in other tutorials. So I bought the threaded strainer connector (number11235) www.intexcorp.com/replacement... and additional plunger valve amzn.to/2Ws8vch to add to the kit and complete the setup.
my favorite float: amzn.to/2Wasddz
Frequently asked questions about our stock tank pool:
Q: Where did you get your pool liner for the stock tank?
A: We bought it on Amazon and linked to it above. I know that the round 8-foot pool liners have been out of stock for a while now and hope they will be back in stock soon
Q: Now that you have had your stock tank pool for a couple of years, how has it held up?
A: so far so good! We've had to patch holes here and there but it was definitely doable and we still love our little oasis very much.
Q: Why didn't you just put in a real pool?
A: If we had the room, we would have definitely gotten a deep regular pool but we don't and most of our yard is a big hill. The metal of the stock tank pool was the only affordable option that would also hold up the dirt and rocks.
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Before view of the backyard hill
1:02 Sketched plans before starting
1:07 Materials needed for stock tank pool DIY
1:12 Trench for electrical
1:18 Digging out the hill and ground
1:20 Adding paver base sand
1:26 Leveling and tampering with paver base sand
1:38 How we picked up our stock tank pool from the Tractor Supply Company
1:42 Rolling the stock tank into the yard
1:57 Failed Flex Seal paint job
2:25 Adding the 8-foot pool. liner to the stock tank
2:37 Adding a bamboo fence to the stock tank surround
3:02 Add metal spring clamps to keep the liner in place before drilling holes
3:18 Drilling the outlet and inlet holes
5:17 Finished and attached stock tank pool inlet and outlet
5:37 Pump setup
5:58 Fill up the stock tank pool with water
6:05 backfill between the stock tank and hill with gravel
6:15 Add landscaping rock
6:23 Finished stock tank pool
Music:
“Sunshine" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
extended Licence: CC BY (creativecommons.org/licenses/b...)
#stocktankpool #backyardideas #stocktankswimmingpool #stocktankpoolideas

[@LouieSpagooey]

Anybody else notice how hubby wasn't around when the shooting started? lol

[@myheartisinjapan3184]

This is the most beautiful stock tank diy I’ve seen.

[@juliakonya7266]

thank you so much

[@alexsegal5653]

Thank you for including the Flex Seal "fail". Very helpful tip.

[@rexfizzle]

This is the first time I've actually seen a NICE well done stock tank pool! Loved the liner and the bamboo!!! Really nicely done and beautiful built into the slope of your yard!!!

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you so much!

[@shelleycalico9593]

Where did you get your liner?

[@northerngirl4924]

I think you did a really nice job. Kudos to your husband for all that heavy manual labor. The end result is beautiful.

[@jimharry8318]

I’ve washed to many stock tank videos. This is my favorite thank you for posting

[@juliakonya7266]

Thanks, glad you like it.

[@jimharry8318]

Watched

[@Legacy_125]

Looks, Amazing. The stones and bamboo around pool look great.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you!

[@sherribrown7670]

Wow what a beautiful design! Best stock tank pool I have ever seen! Enjoy your little slice of paradise 🤗

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you! We still love it a year later

[@margavsd1]

That was just great. Well done! Pool and back yard Look amazing!

[@rileyrileys7954]

Beautiful!! Thank you for showing us.. I want to try this myself now, incredibly peaceful

[@Oladriver]

I needed a little inspiration and found your video. You have created a little paradise, that looks amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you so much for the sweet compliment!

[@nursebecky2006]

I have been admiring pictures of your finished product for weeks and stumbled across this video! Thanks so much! What a lovely finished product!!!

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you! You can find more info on my blog too cuckoo4design.com/our-new-stock-tank-swimming-pool-in-our-sloped-yard/

[@bradleyf3224]

Lovely idea! Beautiful setting for the pool - great job 👍😉

[@DogMommy82]

Absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE those rocks! That liner is beautiful too! ♥️♥️♥️

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@Fuzzy110909]

Great job! Looks beautiful!

[@davidandrews1977]

Pro tip, weight the edges of the pool attach a shop vac to one point tape that point off really well and suck the wrinkles out. That's how we install liners on big pools. What you did here was a great job and this isn't criticism of that but rather a suggestion for anyone who wants to do this themselves.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thanks so much! Maybe I should add that to my blog post! That's so good to know.

[@davelehti4000]

Nice work getting that built into the hillside, and great job accounting for the needed drainage.

[@shaytaban5003]

I read you blog first before I saw this video. I'm so excited that there is a video. You pool is so great looking. Awesome job.

[@itsnotmeitsyou8271]

THAT is just gorgeous! Well done 😄 you have an eye for design👍

[@annmaria608]

Well done! Thanks for the video and glad you are enjoying your efforts.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@irisponcedeleon2239]

Absolutely beautiful, great job & enjoy it 👍😊

[@wadekinnaman3211]

You guys did a wonderful job congratulations

[@melissakurtz3443]

it turned out very beautiful

[@vettebecker1]

Awesome project, we are going to use some of your guys ideas for our above ground pool that we are adding next to our back deck. Hope it turns out equally awesome

[@stevebuckskinner5482]

Very clever and very creative. Looks beautiful!!!

[@doesnotFempute]

Awesome DIY! We are setting up our pool now and I will be ecstatic if it is half as beautiful as yours 🥰

[@TimberWolf2025]

Beautifully refreshing! Love your style!💕👍

[@zzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

I died when you said sorry about the gunshots 😂

[@Sandisue]

That’s beautiful!

[@annawhitehodges3647]

I really liked this video, you are so real! I found this by searching for ideas for my stock tank. New subscriber.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you so much Anna and good luck with your pool!

[@mpiish]

Beautifully done 🙌

[@stowesuz]

Fabulous. More than fabulous. And i just saw how inexpensively you did it! Bravo.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you so much!

[@ValorWarrior5258]

Beautiful job! . I think the reason the flex seal didnt stick may be because it is made for metal roofing to seal seams, and screw holes. The fact that you were using it to cover a solid sheet of metal with maybe one seam up the side possibly is what caused the flaking. I think that using the pool liner was absolutley fabulous! Love that you used the Bamboo to hide the liner on the exterior. Makes it have the natural appearance to it! Great Job! ❤️

[@blairmotsinger772]

Great looking pool!!!

[@jgkiwi]

This looks beautiful. well done you.

[@dn1084]

Very nice job looks great thanks for sharing your video.

[@diamond4829]

Looks really nice ....great job.

[@bassxpro]

Best looking one of these I've seen.

[@CM-OnMyWayHome]

This is the best stock tank diy I’ve seen yet. Thank you.

[@juliakonya7266]

Oh, thanks so much!

[@sumanashrestha1264]

Omg I saw picture of your pool on pinterest and I saved it on my phone for inspiration. I'm so glad to find this video.

[@juliakonya7266]

You can also check out my blog post for more details cuckoo4design.com/the-perfect-stock-tank-pool-pump-cover/

[@tonymontana3742]

I have a sloped yard and this never crossed my mind, great idea!

[@juliakonya7266]

Thanks Tony!

[@BlueMoonShelly]

Beautiful job💙

[@lifeongps]

Love bench idea,,,I hope you washed the tank first with a good detergent before applying the Flex-Seal - The liner is great!

[@juliakonya7266]

I sure did wash it very well!

[@monicaloera1427]

Really nice! I only rent my home so I'm going to buy the stock tank only. Thanks for all your trial and errors.

[@juliakonya7266]

good luck

[@kellyharrison6726]

Beautiful work. What a peaceful paradise. Thanks for the great ideas.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you so much!

[@mariereynoso1617]

Gorgeous!!

[@donzon353]

Looks good. I've had a stock tank pool for several years now. I always love seeing new and different ideas on how people do them. Good job.

[@luckypenny312]

Does yours have a liner ? Do you use chlorine?

[@Eastbaypisces]

You have video of it? Like to c for ideas

[@donzon353]

@@luckypenny312 I used the blue polyvinyl stock tank. And yes I chlorinate it. I wasn't sure if the chlorine would react with the galvanize on the steel tank and could not find a paint that would adhere to galvanize and survive in water.

[@donzon353]

@@Eastbaypisces sorry I don't have video. Could get photo

[@JimThomasOutdoors]

Wow, you guys really worked hard - but now you are well rewarded. Looks GREAT ! Happy Chillin' to you !

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you Jim! We love it

[@tro8191]

Very well done!!

[@orangeziggy348]

Omg Woman! You did an incredible job!

[@salesselectatoners2475]

wow. amazing job !!!

[@Missrenee21]

Gorgeous!

[@annibellrampey2465]

Excellent video. Turned out nice.

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@cindyjohnston3246]

Amazing!! 🙌🏻❤️

[@annwithaplan9766]

Nicely done!

[@great-garden-watch]

Beautiful!

[@briancaiazza3759]

ASMR stock tank video. Genius

[@mollyjones4165]

I used to go to a home daycare and the lady who ran it had a stock tank pool out back for us to swim in. She didn't have liners or paint on the inside. It didn't have a filter or a pump. It was a lot of fun. I used to wonder why no one else had one. I thought it was just a pool but I never saw other pools that looked like it. Now I realize it was a metal stock tank.

[@juliakonya7266]

Oh I love that! Sounds like great memories and yes I'm sure that people had these for years and years before they became a thing on the internet ;)

[@charlesbryant3515]

Nice JOB!!

[@HectorLopez-gw3er]

Amazingly beautiful

[@NORTHBROOK1978]

Our yard is similar. This would be a great idea.

[@OurCatioHome]

Wow! This is fabulous!!!! Love it, want one too...

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@outofworkbum2324]

Great video very nice job

[@laylayshaffer4092]

Beautiful design. I now want to make 1. The reason the flextape didn't work is because it (stock tank, that is) resists paint & rust. We just got flex tape for our kids pool. So far, great even being a lil wet (when applied).

[@daphnietudor2953]

So so pretty!!!

[@jmy7799]

Nice job!

[@alohaerickson]

Well done, turned out nice. I like the added pool liner vs others I’ve seen.

[@jenniferkennon8100]

With the pool liner did or have you run into any problems with the liner ?

[@jenniferkennon8100]

Also I know the one in the video was laid over the side but has anyone else used anything else along the Edge to clamp down the liner and then cut the liner on the outside instead of leaving long like in this video? I hope that makes sense. If so please let me know we are looking for something like that.

[@chericovrett5252]

How Beautiful.

[@darlenerenshaw5565]

So beautiful

[@jeets2052]

So so cool!

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you!

[@QueenByNature504]

Beautiful

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@AustralianRadioindie]

looks great

[@triciahanson5603]

Love this

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@fastgurrrl]

Lovely!

[@adayinthelife9655]

Came for the stock tank, stayed for the sounds of freedom.

[@patriksteinlechner4862]

Just great!!!!

[@bradmcmanis3231]

U2 are badass Nice Job 👍👍👍👍

[@juliakonya7266]

😀 Thank you

[@sydneyward6124]

Beautiful 👍

[@freetoiletpaperumakeit4u508]

Very CREATIVE to use the stock tank...well done...But you should change the name of it to "Dipping Pool" or "Blue-Cup-of-Tea-DIPPING Pool" or something! LoL! you will not do much "swimming" in this tank about 2 feet deep! But it is BEAUTIFUL with all the modifications you've done to it.

[@nacho-man1063]

Good job

[@dwightvoeks9970]

Nice job. I used to live near a gun range and my neighbors used to shoot every weekend on their property. Once I realized how privileged we are in the world to be able to exercise our rare constitutional rights I actually didn't mind when they got loud. It's a beautiful thing, our constitution and everyone should be encouraged to exercise them.

[@basiclife2030]

So awesome 😍😍😍

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@LouieSpagooey]

BTW, great job on your pool!

[@juliakonya7266]

Thanks

[@GermanShepherdRanch]

Great video. I’d like to do the same thing!

[@aquietmind223]

Fabulous ❤

[@juliakonya7266]

Thank you

[@MacWalther]

I'll bet you could incorporate a rain forest shower head or waterfall feature. Nice job!

[@juliakonya7266]

Yes I would love that! We thought about doing a waterfall but we decided that we'd rather sit on the rock wall to hang our feet in. It would definitely look nice though.

[@dianamajka1060]

This is the very best looking tank pool I’ve seen thus far! Wow! Amazing and it’s beautiful! Also I love that pump you have! Wow top of the line too! My question is can a stock tank also be used for a jacuzzi? Have you heard of anyone having luck converting one? If so can you let me know?

[@juliakonya7266]

Hi there Diane and thank you! "Google Hot Tub DIY from A Stock Tank Pool", there is one attempt out there but it doesn't have a liner. Good luck

[@trumpwon8231]

What are going to do when you have to change the liner. Yikes. Looks outstanding. Nice job and thanks for the parts list

[@jamespolucha6911]

What a beautiful job, I’ve always wanted a pool but just couldn’t afford one but I think I can swing this, where did you get the pool liner from and the pump with all the fittings ? Thanks for the video

[@bhen2753]

Your video makes me glad I went with the plastic stock tank. 2 months seems rather rediculous

[@juliakonya7266]

Plastic wouldn't have worked for us because of the weight of the rocks and hill behind the pool.

[@monicaloera1427]

@@juliakonya7266 That's what I was worried about. Even now...

[@richardburgess5215]

Drill holes first then install liner.

[@LaLadybug2011]

I watched another video where guy suggested you turn the tank upside down to drill your holes, that way metal shavings don't go on the inside of your stock tank.

[@sharonmcmann-morelli4896]

your husband really worked so hard, it’s beautiful

[@missyidontgiveacrap9939]

Um, so did she??!

[@MegaMisfit138]

The reason why the paint didn't stick is because galvanized steel has an oil proof coating. You aren't supposed to paint it. Anyway, your pool is by far the nicest one I've seen on Pinterest! The stones really make it! What is the size?

[@ronthomas5965]

I also have a small yard. And Love what you did. Going to try and do one this fall. For next summer. Question {1} where did you get your liner and size {2} what size pump and sand filter. {3} Do you have to use chlorine or can you do a salt water pool. Any advice would be appreciated. Again a awesome and Beautiful job. Enjoy your piece of paradise.

[@juliakonya7266]

Hi there Ron, all the links to what I bought are above when you click SHOW MORE and they are also in my blog post cuckoo4design.com/our-new-stock-tank-swimming-pool-in-our-sloped-yard/ and yes you could make it saltwater as well with a different pump. Good luck!

[@charleselston8058]

We are doing a stock tank pool really liked your video can you tell me what size pool liner did you get

[@juliakonya7266]

Hi there, it's all linked above under SHOW MORE or in my blog post cuckoo4design.com/our-new-stock-tank-swimming-pool-in-our-sloped-yard/ Good luck

[@michellericker3972]

Julia, how did you attach the Bamboo to the sides? I LOVE that you drilled the holes!! You go girl!!

[@juliakonya7266]

Hi Michelle and thank you! For us the rocks keep the bamboo securely in place. Blog readers of mine are showing in my blog post how they did it without rocks cuckoo4design.com/the-only-way-to-stop-your-stock-tank-pool-from-rusting/

[@michellericker3972]

@@juliakonya7266 Awesome! Thanks. This is my project for next spring as this spring/summer was getting an area of my yard ready for it!!

[@carolhewett3756]

Wow your neighbors must be preparing for the revolution. Great pool job. Basically most people just want to chill in a pool as opposed to swimming and it's still big enough for kids to have fun. What was your cost?

[@ig_foobar]

Good workmanship with these materials. Why a stock tank instead of an actual pool? Did you want it to be shallower?

[@coltoncyr2283]

That's awesome. Did you find anything for a cover? Maybe a tarp and a bungee cord?

[@LaLadybug2011]

Amazon and possibly stores in your area carry covers for 8' round pools. Another KZbinr purchased one for his stock tank pool. Said it was a beast to get on, but it works.

[@lindsaycall6826]

I hear a bit of German accent in your voice. It's beautiful.

[@juliakonya7266]

You are right :) I'm from Germany