A galvanised stock tank pool is a durable, rust-resistant steel container originally designed to hold water for livestock. Thanks to its solid structure and industrial style, it's become a popular, stylish alternative to traditional above-ground pools. These pools are ideal for small outdoor spaces and can be customized with pumps, filters, paint, liners and even seating.

Galvanised steel is steel that has been coated with a thin layer of zinc to protect it from rust and corrosion. The zinc acts as a barrier between the steel and the elements (like water and air), which helps extend the metal's lifespan—especially in outdoor or wet environments.

Key Benefits of Galvanised Steel:

✅ Rust-resistant – Ideal for outdoor use, including pools

✅ Durable – Strong and long-lasting, even with daily wear.

✅ Low-maintenance – Requires little upkeep compared to untreated steel.

✅ Eco-friendly

In the case of stock tank pools, galvanised steel ensures the pool can hold water for long periods without rusting quickly, making it a great material for a stylish, sturdy outdoor pool.

Keeping your stock tank pool or ice tub clean is easy with the right setup. You have two great options, depending on your preferences:

Option 1: Chlorine or Bromine Tablets + Filter Pump

This is the most common and low-maintenance solution.

Place chlorine or bromine tablets in a floating dispenser to keep the water sanitized.

Run a filter pump daily to circulate the water and remove debris.

Check the water's pH and chlorine/bromine levels weekly to keep it balanced.

🧼 Best for: Regular pool use, low-hassle maintenance, and longer-term water freshness.

Option 2: Portable Ozone Cleaner + Filter Pump

This is a chemical-free option for those who prefer a more natural solution.

Use a portable ozone water cleaner to disinfect the water using ozone technology.

Pair it with a filter pump to circulate and clean the water.

🌿 Best for: Cold plunges or tubs used frequently for wellness/recovery, and people sensitive to chlorine.

A filter pump helps keep the water clean by circulating it and removing debris, algae, and bacteria. Without a pump, water becomes stagnant, cloudy, and unhygienic—especially during warmer months. Using a filter pump greatly reduces the need for frequent water changes and helps maintain consistent water quality.

A filter pump does not kill bacteria — it removes physical debris like dirt, leaves, and hair by circulating water through a filter, but it doesn't sanitize the water or eliminate microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or algae.

To keep water hygienic, you need additional sanitation, such as:

Chlorine or bromine (chemical disinfectants)

Oxidizer

Saltwater systems (generate chlorine naturally) (possible when adding a liner)

Ozone or UV sanitizers (kill bacteria without chemicals)

Best setup:

Use a filter pump + ozone cleaner + oxidizer (during summer)

The pump keeps water moving and clear, while the sanitizer keeps it safe and bacteria-free.

Filter Pump: Physically removes debris and particles through a filtration system. It needs regular cleaning or filter replacement.

Portable Ozone Cleaner: Uses ozone gas to sanitize water by killing bacteria, viruses, and algae at a microscopic level. It doesn’t filter debris, but it’s a chemical-free way to purify water.

Best setup:

Many users combine both—a filter pump for debris + ozone cleaner for sanitization.

Maintaining a sand filter pump for a swimming pool is essential to ensure water stays clean and the system runs efficiently. Here's a practical maintenance checklist:

🧰 Weekly Maintenance:

Check Pressure Gauge:

Normal range is usually 10–20 psi.

If pressure is 8–10 psi above the starting level, it's time to backwash.

Backwash the Filter:

Turn off the pump.

Set the multiport valve to "Backwash".

Turn the pump on and run for 1-2 minutes or until water runs clear.

Turn off the pump again, set to "Rinse", run for 30 seconds.

Return the valve to "Filter" before restarting the system.

The pH level is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy and safe swimming pool because it directly affects water balance, sanitizer effectiveness, and swimmer comfort.

Here’s why pH matters so much:

✅ 1. Controls Chlorine Effectiveness

Ideal pH: 7.2–7.6

If pH is too high (alkaline), chlorine becomes less effective.

If pH is too low (acidic), chlorine works too aggressively, which can lead to:

Eye irritation

Skin dryness

Fast chlorine burn-off

Example: At pH 8.0, chlorine is only ~20% effective; at pH 7.4, it’s ~60–70% effective.

✅ 2. Protects Pool Equipment

Low pH = Corrosive water → damages metal parts, heaters, ladders, and even the pool surface.

High pH = Scale buildup → clogs pipes, filters, and can damage the pump.

✅ 3. Keeps Water Clear and Balanced

Unbalanced pH leads to cloudy water and algae growth.

Balanced pH helps all other chemicals work properly (like algaecide, stabilizers, etc.)

✅ 4. Improves Swimmer Comfort

Low or high pH causes:

Red eyes

Itchy skin

Dry hair

Balanced water feels smoother and is less irritating.

✅ 5. Saves You Money

Unbalanced water damages equipment and wastes chemicals.

Keeping pH stable reduces the need for constant adjustments and repairs.

If you prefer not to use chlorine, here are some alternatives:

Bromine – Gentler on skin and eyes.

Saltwater systems – Lower chlorine levels, produced naturally from salt. (only possible when adding a liner in the pool)

Ozone or UV systems – Chemical-free purification options.

Mineral sanitizers – Use silver or copper to control bacteria and algae.

Note: Always ensure proper water balance (pH, alkalinity) regardless of method.

We recommend that you completely refresh your swimming pool 2/3 times a year. Chemical buildup, body oils and other phosphates can build up in your water and on your tank. Draining and refilling your pool a few times per year will extend the life of the galvanized metal.

Keep in mind that maintaining a metal pool is different from a traditional pool and you want to use the minimum amount of chemicals to balance the pool to prevent damage to the galvanization.

If you want to protect the inside of the tank after draining it, consider:

-Food-grade mineral oil (used sparingly, only if storing dry)

-Silicone spray (non-toxic, water-repellent, and rust-resistant)

-Rust-inhibitor spray or metal sealant specifically designed for galvanised steel (especially if storing long-term)

Always make sure the product is non-toxic and pool-safe if you plan to refill with water later.

IN CASE OF A LIGHT FREEZE FOR 1-2 DAYS:

Set the switch on your timer to "On" to keep the pool water circulating during freezing weather. Stagnant water means frozen water. Let the water flow until the temperature rises above freezing.

Let the water flow until the temperature rises above freezing. Cover your pump, filter and hoses with blankets or towels for extra insulation and protection from the elements. If you have one of our heating systems and as long as you run your filter pump (step 1), water will flow through and it is not yet necessary to follow the freeze protocol.

IN CASE OF EXTREME FREEZE FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS

Unplug your pool pump.

Close the inlet and outlet valves of the tank.

Unscrew the clear cover from your pump's pump basket basket. This will help prevent the water in your pump from expanding and causing the unit to burst. If your lid is frozen, pour a cup of warm water over it to loosen it.

Set your filter multiport valve to the WINTERIZE position. For bestway pumps, this is between Flush and Filter. If your valve is frozen, pour warm water over it to loosen it.

Place the pump in a dry, non-freezing place.

Empty the tank completely and cover it so that no rain/leaves can remain in the tank during the winter.

The answer is Yes , but with good maintenance you will have many years of pleasure.

The use of chlorine accelerates the rusting process. It is important that you use minimal chlorine and in a floater.

You can put protection coatings or an overlap liner to prevent pre-mature rust. For the outside you can use special paint for galvanised steel. For the inside we recomment an epoxy paint or 2 component paint with hardener.

In case of a rust spot:

soft sand paper, clean with vinigar cleaner and dry the spot and spray with cold zink.

While galvanised steel is rust-resistant, small rust spots can occasionally develop over time, especially around welds or scratches. Here’s what to do:

• Gently sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper.

• Clean thoroughly and dry.

• Apply a rust-inhibiting primer, dry zink spray or sealant suitable for metal surfaces.

• Optionally, use pool-safe paint to cover the area.

The pH level in your stock tank pool is crucial because it affects:

✅ Water Comfort

Ideal pH: Between 7.2 and 7.6

If the pH is too low (acidic): Water can irritate eyes, skin, and damage the metal tank.

If the pH is too high (alkaline): Water can feel slippery and reduce the effectiveness of sanitizers like chlorine.

🧪 Effectiveness of Sanitizers

Chlorine works best at the right pH.

If pH is too high, chlorine becomes weak and less effective at killing bacteria.

If too low, chlorine works faster—but water becomes corrosive.

⚙️ Protecting Your Equipment

Incorrect pH can cause:

Corrosion in the tank and metal fittings

Scale buildup in pumps and filters

Reduced lifespan of your system

In short:

Keeping the pH balanced ensures cleaner, safer water, more effective chemicals, and longer-lasting equipment.

🧪 Tip: Test your pool water once a week with test strips or a liquid test kit.

Generally not really. The pool should not feel too hot in the sun, but we recommend that you keep the pool at least partially shaded. Put it under a tree or parasol for shade. You can use foam noodles that you can place over the edge.

Do not leave a tank empty and open outside. Acid rain, certain substances in the air, renovations in the area or living near the sea can accelerate the rusting process.

Cover the tank with a water-resistant tarp or wooden board. Or turn the tank over on a moisture-resistant surface. The best solution is to put it inside.

This is easy to touch up with cold zinc spray, which automatically has the same color and is commercially available. The zinc spray forms a fast-drying, self-healing, flexible layer that helps prevent rust.