Stock tank conversion - DIY

Are you a beach person or a pool person?

We live close by a number of local beach areas so we luckily get to enjoy the sand and calm north bound waters whenever we like.

 

But it’s definitely cumbersome to go to the beach all the time with little kids so we’ve been accommodating the water play needs with numerous inflatable pools, water play table, sandbox, splasher, bubble machine, train rides, outdoor movie, and even a portable gazebo etc to create our own mini water park in our backyard.

It was quite enjoyable for several years until inflatables started leaking air.  After few years of this, I was inspired by many youtubers to tackle stock tank to small pool conversion on my own.

After searching on google and YouTube videos, I decided to place the tank halfway inside the deck for both looks and seating area.  8 ft tank seemed like a perfect size for our kids and grown ups.  Just in case we decide to turn this into a hot water tub down the road.

I finally pulled the trigger.

Unfortunately, I had few additional projects coming which I kind of planned already.  And one of them was my deck re-leveling and nail removal project.  For years, I lived with this deck but I had to put some elbows and grease in safeguarding for kids’ sake.  The deck was installed by a lazy person with a nail gun from the top of the boards.  And over the years, nails from the boards started to rise up and I had to constantly hammer them down.  I was afraid kids might step on any one of those nails, so I decided to pull all the boards off and reattach them with CAMO edge screws and CAMO marksman pro tool, while I relevel the deck.

The battle was ON for sure.  I was determine to tackle all projects near the deck all together.  The idea was great but the endeavor was much too overwhelming.

Btu thinking about the outcome, it seemed all worth it.  Some say that a start is already a half way completed, so I was optimistic.

I quickly hung the leveling strings around the deck to see where I needed to lift. I used portable hydraulics to temporarily lift the deck.  I prioritized leveling the deck surroundings near the pool location by adding a long 2 by 6 support beam around the pool cutout and and additional 2x6 supports in between the existing beams.  And replaced with new 4 by 4 posts setting them above the concrete blocks on a tamped ground with gravels.  And finally made precision cuts for each board that will be following the pool curvature.  

I then dug the ground, I raked the ground to level and tamped the ground evenly and iteratively to ensure the proper leveling.  Voila! Finally set the tank to my final height.

Before I even finished the projects, my kids ran out of patience as I’ve been working on this for weeks after hours.  I had to quickly ordered the sand filter from Intex and necessary parts to push the last mile on this project to keep the excitement going.  I placed the filter under the deck adjacent to the pool location above a newly built mini wooden platform.  I hurried to test any leaks in the tank and pool pipings.  Luckily, it was in pristine condition and everything worked. 

Though there were a lot more to finish on the deck and decorative pebbles around the pool surroundings etcs., I invited kids to start enjoying the pool as the weather was getting super hot already.  This was totally worthwhile project and my kids enjoy it ‘til this date.

Since I completed the project, I bought few additional items to help with keeping the water at temperature and winterizing.  I’ll share the detail below in addition to the related products detailed in this blog.

 

·      Intex Sand Filter related Products:
o   Intex 26643EG Intex-1200 Gph Sand Filter Pump (110-120 Volt) Pool:  https://amzn.to/3MlNfhG
o   Intex Large Pool Plunger Valve Assembly:  https://amzn.to/456yuH0
o   Intex 26004E Above Ground Swimming Pool Inlet Air Water Jet Replacement Part Kit; Includes Plunger Valve, Strainer Connector, Strainer Grid, etc.:  https://amzn.to/3Bj6diP

·         Pool Water Conditioning Products:
o   Bestway Pool and Spa Test Kit for Chlorine, Bromine and pH:  https://amzn.to/42Ck7so
o   BOSIKE 6 in 1 Water Hot Tub, Swimming Pool & Spa Test Strips Kit | 125 Strips:  https://amzn.to/3I5xj0G
o   Chlorine Floater, Floating Pool Chlorine Dispenser (Alligator):  https://amzn.to/3pyortS
 
·         Pool Regular Cleaning Tools:
o   GKanMore Pool Skimmer Net with 17-41 inch Telescopic Pole:  https://amzn.to/3M2THJ0
o   Swimline 8051SL Leaf Skimmer with 48":  https://amzn.to/3pDvkdi
o   PoolSupplyTown Pool Spa Jet Vacuum Cleaner w/ Brush:  https://amzn.to/3nSE6nr

·         Inflatable Pools, Beach Ball, and Inflatable Pool Cover:
o   Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center, 117" X 76" X 53", For Ages 2+:  https://amzn.to/42Ck7so
o   Intex Swim Center Family Inflatable Pool, 120" X 72" X 22", for Ages 6+:  https://amzn.to/3nSrEEf
o   Taiker Inflatable Swimming Pools, Kiddie Pools, Family Lounge Pools, 96'' x 57'' x 21'':  https://amzn.to/42U8lJD
o   Intex Sunset Glow Baby Pool (34 in x 10 in):  https://amzn.to/3pqwlp2
o   Intex Sun Shade Inflatable Pool, 62" X 62" X 48", for Ages 2+:  https://amzn.to/3LWRqit
o   Intex 42" Jumbo Ball - 2-Pack:  https://amzn.to/41ue2wI
o   Intex Rectangular Pool Cover for 103 in. x 69 in. or 120 in. x 72 in. Pools:  https://amzn.to/3pAkYeo

·         Stock Tank Pool, Pool Cover, and Solar Cover (as a heat retaining blanket):
o   CountyLine 700 gal. Galvanized Round End Stock Tank, 8 ft. x 2 ft. x 8 ft:  https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-galvanized-round-stock-tank-8-ft-x-2-ft-2177154?store=2079
o   8ft Steel Round Stock Tank Pool Cover: https://amzn.to/41BTL8d
o   Sun2Solar Clear 8-Foot-by-8-Foot Square Solar Cover:  https://amzn.to/3W075lD

·         Floaties and Accessories:
o   Infant Pool Floaties: https://amzn.to/3MowimY
o   Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade Pool:  https://amzn.to/3nNYvtX
o   Hyfoo Floaties Swim Vest for Child:  https://amzn.to/3VXLf2g
o   iGeeKid Unicorn & Flamingo Pool Floats for Kids (2 Pack):  https://amzn.to/3BlJkuU

·         Decking Tool:

o   CAMO Marksman Pro Kit, Deck Tool:  https://amzn.to/44TGpHk

o   Deck Plus 48421 Wood Screws #10 x 3-1/2":  https://amzn.to/3NZJIXD