Hi, new stock tank pool owner here. I set my stock tank pool up differently from almost all the online advice, for various reasons so I'm in a bit uncharted territory here 
Various things I did differently are listed below...
- I washed the inside with a soapy sponge (and rinsed well) prior to the first fill. I was concerned about residual oils or other chemicals from the galvanization or other manufacturing processes.
- I chose not to paint the inside, as I was leery of how well paint will stick to galvanized steel. I've since gotten feedback from someone who painted the inside with blue "swimming pool paint" a few years ago and no peeling yet. I didn't get details on how they prepped before painting. In the middle of a Texas day, the glare is a bit annoying but really not that bad.
- I did not want to cut holes in steel, this seems like a leak waiting to happen, especially given the ridges in my stock tank. Instead, I built plumbing that goes up and over the edge. I used 2" SCH40 PVC which is a bit oversized but gives a little additional strength against unruly kids. I really don't think it looks that bad. Someday, I'm going to be a tabletop to give shade to the equipment and hide the plumbing a bit.
- Cutting a slit in the 2" pipe with a circular saw made a really cool sheet waterfall. I got excited and installed before I cleaned the inside of the pipe well. I spent a long time scooping bits of PVC from the pool. Do not make this mistake.
- I suspect the movement of the pool will eventually damage my pump. I cut the pipe and put a rubber coupling inline to give it a little wiggle room, hopefully that helps a little. I've seen others attach ridgid plumbing to their vinyl pool and this certainly moves much less than that.
- Inlet is a Intex skimmer, with a skimmer sock. Between that and using a net almost daily, the pool stays very clean.
- I am following the TFP guidelines to a tee, using the app (thanks TPF!) and the TF-100 test kit.
- I've been a little conservative raising CYA slowly as to not overshoot, but it is right about 45ppm now.
The only concern I have is that my chlorine level drops to zero over the course of a single hot (Dallas, Texas) sunny afternoon. I add about 6 fl. oz. of liquid chlorine every evening to get back to 5-6ppm target.
I've convinced myself this is normal given the pool is only 24" deep but curious if others are experiencing the same? Also I wonder if my waterfall and or oversized pump for the size of the pool are impacting this?
Thanks in advance for sharing any thoughts or experience!
Various things I did differently are listed below...
- I washed the inside with a soapy sponge (and rinsed well) prior to the first fill. I was concerned about residual oils or other chemicals from the galvanization or other manufacturing processes.
- I chose not to paint the inside, as I was leery of how well paint will stick to galvanized steel. I've since gotten feedback from someone who painted the inside with blue "swimming pool paint" a few years ago and no peeling yet. I didn't get details on how they prepped before painting. In the middle of a Texas day, the glare is a bit annoying but really not that bad.
- I did not want to cut holes in steel, this seems like a leak waiting to happen, especially given the ridges in my stock tank. Instead, I built plumbing that goes up and over the edge. I used 2" SCH40 PVC which is a bit oversized but gives a little additional strength against unruly kids. I really don't think it looks that bad. Someday, I'm going to be a tabletop to give shade to the equipment and hide the plumbing a bit.
- Cutting a slit in the 2" pipe with a circular saw made a really cool sheet waterfall. I got excited and installed before I cleaned the inside of the pipe well. I spent a long time scooping bits of PVC from the pool. Do not make this mistake.
- I suspect the movement of the pool will eventually damage my pump. I cut the pipe and put a rubber coupling inline to give it a little wiggle room, hopefully that helps a little. I've seen others attach ridgid plumbing to their vinyl pool and this certainly moves much less than that.
- Inlet is a Intex skimmer, with a skimmer sock. Between that and using a net almost daily, the pool stays very clean.
- I am following the TFP guidelines to a tee, using the app (thanks TPF!) and the TF-100 test kit.
- I've been a little conservative raising CYA slowly as to not overshoot, but it is right about 45ppm now.
The only concern I have is that my chlorine level drops to zero over the course of a single hot (Dallas, Texas) sunny afternoon. I add about 6 fl. oz. of liquid chlorine every evening to get back to 5-6ppm target.
I've convinced myself this is normal given the pool is only 24" deep but curious if others are experiencing the same? Also I wonder if my waterfall and or oversized pump for the size of the pool are impacting this?
Thanks in advance for sharing any thoughts or experience!
