In-Ground Stock Tank Pool

[Silexian]

If you are going to dig a hole big enough to sink that big of a stock tank. Why not just use a pond liner? You can top siphon it when it needs a cleaning. Then scoop out the sludge. Which you would probably wind up doing. When a bottom drain clogs anyway.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I suspect if you are filling from your house, unless you have a very unusual situation you are going to find 600 gallons is hard to keep up with. A well is going to have quite a job filling that enough to keep it clean and if you are on metered water it will cost quite a lot. Pump/filter is an option, but from what I hear about dealing with those I surely wouldn’t want one.

I bought a 1000 gal poly stock tank last summer, which I planned to use for our Muscovy but hubby turned it into a pool for our 4 year old girl instead looks like I’ll be going back to the feed store in a few weeks to buy a 2nd one! Either way, I’d bought this Solar powered pump to feed into a filter to keep the ducks water clean It shuts off when the sun goes down but kicks back on when the sun comes up … yea, I haven’t installed it yet as I lost my duck pond to our little girl but that is what it is suppose to do! Going Solar is always an option!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0831V5YX...t_i_95Y444MJAYJ1N1H1T019?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

True, filling it might not be too easy. We are on city water. I didn't know they made solar pumps though, so thanks for the link LAYAM! I wonder if just one of those would be able to keep up with 14 ducks? We do have a lot of trees too but could probably find a sunny spot.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

If you are going to dig a hole big enough to sink that big of a stock tank. Why not just use a pond liner? You can top siphon it when it needs a cleaning. Then scoop out the sludge. Which you would probably wind up doing. When a bottom drain clogs anyway.

That is an option too, are you talking about a preformed one or a cloth type one? The benefit of the stock tank is I don't have to dig deep enough to put it entirely in the ground and it'll still be deep water. I just need it far enough in the ground so that the ducks can get in and out fairly easily.

 

[telandra2]

There is a youtuber in the UK who builds natural swimming pools. I've been eyeing his airstone based undergravel filters for my future duck pond. Get a koi pond/brewers air pump and run an air hose out to the pond from where there is electricity. No electrical risk if the hose gets broken.

I was eyeing stock tanks but got this for $150 on Amazon. Just waiting for spring to start digging and installing it. Cheap pond liner and sump pump in 1. No idea how long it'll last.

Bestway 56407 Steel Pro Above Ground, 10ft x 30in | Frame Pool Set w/Filter Pump​

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

There is a youtuber in the UK who builds natural swimming pools. I've been eyeing his airstone based undergravel filters for my future duck pond. Get a koi pond/brewers air pump and run an air hose out to the pond from where there is electricity. No electrical risk if the hose gets broken.

I was eyeing stock tanks but got this for $150 on Amazon. Just waiting for spring to start digging and installing it. Cheap pond liner and sump pump in 1. No idea how long it'll last.

Bestway 56407 Steel Pro Above Ground, 10ft x 30in | Frame Pool Set w/Filter Pump​

I'd love to know how it ends up working for you! Can you bury that kind? It's nice and large.

 

[Silexian]

That is an option too, are you talking about a preformed one or a cloth type one? The benefit of the stock tank is I don't have to dig deep enough to put it entirely in the ground and it'll still be deep water. I just need it far enough in the ground so that the ducks can get in and out fairly easily.

A cloth type one. The preformed ones mostly seem to be about 100 gallons. Which is the same as an average stock tank. If I was going to use a stock tank. I would use a plastic tank. They won’t rust and are easier to make modifications to. They also usually have a fairly large drain in them also.

 

[telandra2]

I'd love to know how it ends up working for you! Can you bury that kind? It's nice and large.

Google pointed me to other youtubers who bury above ground pools for a living . The one I was watching said if you bury it less than 1ft you don't need to worry about extra support. More and the lack of water pressure on the top might allow the soil to collapse in so you need 'slurry' quality cement for the walls of the hole. If you have heavy clay, that alone should be good. The biggest collapse risk is the liner will one day wear out and need to be replaced, or you need to drain it for maintainence.

The cheapo pvc supports is a bonus IMO -- they won't rust out like metal. I'm thinking only half bury it and build little A frame waterfowl deck w/ ramp/stairs sitting on the edge to get in and out. My ducks, ducklings, and geese will currently climb a paving stone pile stairway to get into 15" high above ground 'Beckett' pond liner from home depot.