How to Install a Stock Tank Pool with a Waterfall

I've been wanting a stock tank pool, or as we call them, a redneck swimming pool for at least 3 years now.  I'm not going to lie, the stock tanks are expensive!  We happened across a bargain and got both of the tanks and all the flag stone for $75 total! Bargain of a lifetime right there!

There are lots of tutorials on how to install these pools and I've linked what I thought was the best one down below.  I'm basically going to show you how to add the waterfall tank since I haven't seen that feature much at all.

Both tanks are 6' x 2', one round and one oblong with a spout.  I couldn't find one with a spout to link for you online, so I found this really cool idea to use on a regular tank.

Both of our tanks are used, so we had a bit of restoration to do before we could attempt to fill them with water.  Our patch job won't last forever and we will probably have to fork over lots of money to replace one or both tanks some day.  But today, we have a spot to cool off in the Texas heat! My advice is buy new if you can.

Step 1: Choose your tank size and location to set it
This spot is right off our patio and it used to be a fish pond waterfall feature.  The plastic in ground tub went by the wayside a couple of years ago so we pulled that out of the ground, tossed it in the dumpster and filled in the hole.  Now we have a perfect spot for our pool.  Lots of cleaning and prepping to do though.

Of course, my honey does all the manual labor, I'm just his assistant.  First we placed the round tank where we wanted it and he used the shovel to mark its spot.  He pushed the shovel into the ground all the way around the pool.  When we took the pool away, we knew where to clean and level the ground.

Next he watered it all down to get it to settle real well.

We used contractors sand from Lowe's to act as a leveling agent.  This is 3 bags worth.

He used a piece of 2 x 4 and his level to make sure it was all level so that when the pool was filled it wouldn't be leaning more on one side than another.  This is a very important step.

And again, watering it down to get it all to settle in level.

Next we laid down some landscaping cloth, covered it with more sand to ready it for all the rocks.

He strategically placed each flag stone the way he wanted it.  We then spread river rock over the entire area to settle into the sandy spaces. It took about 4 bags of river rock.  We also got that from Lowe's as well.

NOTE:  In hindsight, we would have skipped the sand step here.  We didn't think about all the sand that would possibly get into the pool. On another day, he actual took all the rock and as much sand up as he could and then put all the rock back.  It was a long tedious process so JUST SKIP THE SAND if its not UNDER the pool!

Step 2: Installing the Filter Pump - Please view this tutorial and video here, its very helpful!

Supplies We Used:

Intex Filter Pump - This includes an outlet, but no inlet strainer or valve.

Pump Inlet Strainer + Outlet w/ Two Valves: Note: It includes an outlet jet as well, which is already included with the Intex Filter Pump, we used this for our waterfall tank. You will not need the extra outlet jet if you just have one tank.

Intex Valves (2 pack) - This is not needed if you purchase the pump strainer above, but it is needed if you are NOT going to have a waterfall.

2 3/4” Hole Saw w/ Arbor

Drill

100% Silicone Caulk  
Extra Intex Filters

 
 
For our 6' x 2' stock tank (the round one) he carefully drilled two holes.  We chose to have our holes on one level instead of one high and one low like a lot of people do.  This way served our type of tank.  If you keep reading you'll see why, but in the end, we actually don't use one of these fittings and we just turned the valve to off now.

NOTE: Make sure you drill your hole on a flat area.  DO NOT drill on an indention or bump.  Your parts and pieces will not seal properly if you do.

Next we set up the pump as instructed from the box.

At this point if you have one tank only you can fill it with water and enjoy your pool.  We should have waited but we didn't, because were impatient.  We were still waiting on Amazon to deliver the final parts we needed for the oblong tank to become one with the round tank.

In the mean while we used a pond pump to circulate the water, which you can totally do, but I hated seeing the ugly black hose and wire draped over the side of the tanks, so my honey figured out a way to remedy that for me.

This is the water jet I ordered for the waterfall tank.  See I told you the tanks were used and in sad condition.  The waterfall tank is the worse. The round one was in pretty nice condition, thankfully, since its the one we get into.

This is what it looks like on the outside.  Since our tank is old and textured, we used silicone on the inside seal to make sure we had no leaks.

See that box between the tank and the white hose, that's our electric plug in box which was already here from the fish pond before.  This is another reason we chose this spot for our pool.

Now, we have the outlet (shooting water in) on the waterfall tank and the inlet (sucking water out) on the round tank and both hoses lead to the pump which we have sitting on a rock on the back side of the entire set up.  The hoses run under the pallet that I'm about to tell you about.

I'm backing up just a bit to show you how we raised the oblong tank up above the round one.  Like before, we put down landscaping cloth and sand and then sat the revised pallet (my honey is handy like that) on top and then put the tank on top of the pallet. We covered the pallet up with big rocks so it all blends in.

No more ugly black hoses in the way and we still have our waterfall feature which by the way, sounds delightful when you're just sitting pool side relaxing.

That little flamingo is our chlorination for the pools.  We found him at Walmart along with the chlorine tablets to put inside of him.

We also got a set of color changing lights to go in the pool for a fun look at night.

And lastly, we added pool noodles around the edge of the round pool for comfort.  When you're relaxing in the pool it cushions your head or neck and if you want to sit on the side of the pool, it cushions your bottom.  I found them on clearance at the Dollar General for 50 cents each!  It took 4 full noodles and a piece of another one to go all the way around it.  I love it!  Oh yes, and we got this pool net to keep our pool clean!

I hope this wasn't too confusing, but if you have questions, please ask! :)

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

GREAT NEWS!  I now have an Amazon Storefront!  If you ever want to purchase anything I'm showing you here, you can pop over to my shop and see what I've picked out for you! Click right here to visit.

If you loved this idea and want to save it for later, be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board.  I have a Pinterest board all set up just for Pool Ideas That I Love and I'm pinning something new every day. Won't you join me?

I'm Linking to:

These lovely and FUN parties!
Between Naps on the Porch
The Dedicated House  - (I was featured)
French Country Cottage
Skip to my Lou
The Self Sufficient Home Acre