How To Winterize Your Stock Tank Pool — Stock Tank Pool Authority

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Everyone wants to know the BEST way to winterize their stock tank pool but guess what? There isn’t just one method that is best for everyone. There are many options and the best one for you depends on where you live, how much work you want to put into it, and how much money you want to spend. Let’s talk about your options.

1. If you are thinking that now that summer is over you no longer have a use for your stock tank pool, think again! Your first option is to turn your stock tank pool into a hot tub. SEE OUR HOT TUB DIY HERE. This is a great way to prolong your stock tank pool use and depending on where you live, you could possibly use it all through winter. Even if you are in the in-between weather where it’s too cold to swim, but still in the 70s outside, you could heat your pool enough for a nice swim on a sunny day (which is GREAT for the kiddos.) We used this spa heater for our smaller tank and this gas tankless water heater for our big 8’ stock tank pool.

Photo used with permission from @themakersuite.

2. If you live where it doesn’t freeze for long periods of time, your best bet is to keep your tank filled with water. This comes straight from the manufacturers mouth. This is the best way to slow down the rusting process. If you choose to go this route, you do not have to keep your pump running all winter. In fact, we highly recommend you unplug your pump, disconnect all hoses, and make sure there isn’t any water left in anything. Yes, the water is going to get dirtier than you would like to swim in, but since you won’t be swimming in it, it’s no big deal! You can still put a cover on it to keep debris out. That way you won’t even have to look at the water. Check out this stock tank pool cover by The Maker Suite for some cover inspiration.

3. If you live in a place where it’s too cold to keep your tank full, you are obviously going to need to drain it. There are a few options if this is the route you are going. First, check out how we get all the water out of our pool here. Then, you can get a pool cover or a tarp to keep water out. These things can be a little too flexible, so you’'ll want to place something across the tank like a few 2x4s or a couple boards, or poles to prop up the cover keeping it from filling up with water and falling back into the pool. Your best bet to keep water out is to DIY a hard cover (or buy a custom one from someone who makes spa covers) that doesn’t allow water to seep in.

4. Another option for folks in any area is to turn your tank upside down for the season. We did this one year and it worked great. Our tank sits on concrete though, so I’m not sure if doing this on grass would be as great (some creatures might decide to make a home in there.) I did read that some people were worried about snow building up on top, and if this is you, read on.

5. The last option we have for you is to roll your tank onto its side and lean it against something sturdy. If you have something like a barn or really tall garage, you could roll it in to shelter it all winter. Otherwise lean it against (facing downward) a garage, barn, or shed so no snow can build up on top of it and no water can pool inside of it.

You are probably wondering what to do with your pump, and again, this is completely up to you. Where we live, it freezes, but not very often. We have always left our Intex 2500 pump outside and it has seen us through 4 seasons now. If you feel more comfortable, just disconnect your pump and take it into a garage or basement where there is a little more temperature control.