Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stock tank?
Originally, stock tanks are used for livestock on ranches. They have now become a high demand "lifestyle" product to serve as an affordable pool or hot tub option.
Check out this NY Times article on stock tank pools.
How DEEP are stock tank pools?
We carry the highest quality Hastings STEEL ROUND END STOCK TANKS 20 GA. (.036" MIN) HEAVY DUTY. They are 24" deep.
Do stock tanks get hot?
Yes and no. The high grade galvanized steel gets hot to touch in direct sun exposure when there is no water inside of it.
When your tank is full of water, the galvanized steel will cool down because the stock tank neutralizes the tank’s temperature.
Please note: the water in a stock tank pool will vary in temperature based on sun exposure and the location you are in.
If you plan to purchase our signature, insulated galvanized & poly COYOTE POOL or our WHIRLWIND COYOTE POOL (heated-option) they will keep your water cool in the summer and hot in the winter (if you purchase the “heated” option. These options will also last longer than a galvanized stock tank pool alone.
How do I drain my COYOTE POOLS stock tank pool?
We recommend using a sump pump. It's the fastest and cleanest way to drain a stock tank pool.
Steps:
Purchase your sump pump here
Hook up your hose to your sump pump
Place the end of your hose where you want your water to drain
Submerge your pump and allow air bubbles to escape
Plug your sump pump to an outlet/ extension cord
DRAIN!
PLEASE NOTE: *If you pump is not sucking water, check for kinks in your hose
Water Care Tips for Your Coyote Pool
Keeping your Coyote Pool crystal clear doesn't require a lot of chemicals—it just requires the right ones.
Understanding pH & Alkalinity
pH and alkalinity are closely connected, so when one changes, the other often follows. If you're primarily using chlorine tablets, it's normal to see both pH and alkalinity gradually decrease over time because chlorine tablets are naturally acidic.
If your pH begins to test low, start by adding ¼ to ½ cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Always keep your pump running when adding any chemicals, including chlorine. Distribute the baking soda around the pool, allow the water to circulate for 30–45 minutes, and then retest before making additional adjustments.
Adding fresh water can also help raise pH naturally, as most municipal water supplies tend to have a higher pH.
Summer Chlorine Recommendations
During the hotter months, chlorine tablets alone may not provide enough sanitation for your pool—especially during periods of heavy use, high temperatures, or intense sun exposure.
For best results, we recommend supplementing your tablets with liquid chlorine.
Recommended Chlorine Tablets: HERE
Recommended Liquid Chlorine: HERE
As a general guideline, add 1½ to 2½ cups of liquid chlorine per week in addition to maintaining 1–2 chlorine tabletsin your floater.
When adding liquid chlorine:
Make sure your pump is running.
Pour the chlorine slowly around the perimeter of the pool.
Allow the pump to circulate for at least one hour.
Retest your water regularly.
To manually run your filtration system, switch your timer to the ON position, then return it to TIMER mode when finished.
This simple routine helps prevent cloudy water, algae growth, and unwanted green water.
Important Chlorine Tablet Safety
Always keep chlorine tablets inside a floating dispenser.
Never allow tablets to rest on the bottom of the tank, as direct contact can damage the galvanized finish and discolor the surface.
Additional Summer Maintenance Tips
Chlorinate during the early morning or evening hours whenever possible.
Avoid adding chlorine during the hottest part of the day or in direct sunlight.
Backwash your filter weekly during summer rather than every other week to maintain proper circulation and filtration.
Chemicals to Avoid
To protect your Coyote Pool, DO NOT USE:
Granular shock treatments
Muriatic acid
Algaecides
While shock products may seem like a quick fix, they are designed for much larger swimming pools and are often too concentrated for stock tank pools. Many shock products also contain high levels of calcium, which can contribute to scale buildup, cloudy water, and premature wear on your equipment.
When it comes to Coyote Pools, simple water care is the best water care.
Small adjustments. Clean water. More time soaking.
How do I WINTERIZE my equipment?
When freezing temperatures last for more than a few days at a time, and if you don’t plan to use your stock tankpool, you may drain and winterize your Coyote Pools stock tank pool.
For LIGHT freezes, less than 12 hours:
For Pump/filter
Keep your pump/filter plugged in and "ON”. Stagnant water can freeze, expand and damage equipment. Keep the water flowing until the temperature rises above freezing.
For additional insulation and protection against the elements, cover your pump, filter and hoses with blankets, towels, or a tarp but be sure to keep any moving parts of the pump uncovered.
If you have a cover, use it and you can cover your pool.
For Heaters
If you have a Camplux propane tankless water heater:
It is not necessary to run your heater pump but be sure to open the water flow valve on the bottom of your heater, if you have one. This will allow water to circulate through the heater.
If you lose power unplug the drain plug on your tankless heater. It is a gold metal piece at the bottom of your heater unit that needs to be unscrewed to allow water to drain.
HOW TO WINTERIZING YOUR EQUIPMENT
🧰 Preparation
Turn off power and unplug your filter/pump
Gather winterizing plugs for skimmer & return
Drain with a shop vac or sump pump (optional but recommended)
💧 Drain & Disconnect
Disconnect hoses:
Suction hose (from pool)
Return hose (to pool)
Plug skimmer & return openings at the pool
Remove pump drain plug and drain fully
Remove pump lid + basket → leave open to dry
Remove filter tank drain cap → drain fully
Shake or blow out water from hoses
🔁 Multiport Valve
Turn handle to WINTER (or WASTE / CLOSED if no winter setting)
Release pressure in system
📈 Small but Important Parts
Remove pressure gauge & store indoors
Remove and label all drain plugs
Apply silicone lube to O-rings (optional)
🏠 Storage & Protection
Store pump, gauge, lid, plugs indoors
Ensure sand tank is fully drained
Reattach multiport valve after dry
Cover sand filter with bag or equipment cover
Ensure tank sits above any standing water
✅ Final Pass
Quick leak check (no dripping from tank)
Confirm power is disconnected
All parts accounted for + stored safely
Notes & Dates
Season: ________________________
Completed By: ___________________
Date Completed: ________________
HEATER INSTRUCTIONS FOR A DEEP FREEZE
Camplux tankless heater - unplug the drain plug on your heater. It is a long, gold metal piece at the bottom of your heater unit
Do galvanized steel stock tanks rust?
Overtime, galvanized stock tanks are known to rust, especially when they are used as livestock tanks.
They were originally manufactured for livestock to drink from and were not intended to have chemicals (chlorine or liquid hydrogen peroxide) poured inside.
Times have changed and some of us have evolved from ranch-life, so now galvanized & poly stock tanks are used in urban backyard to corral your friends and family for a good time!
Corrosion happens when the galvanization in a tank starts to get eaten away due to hard water or chemicals. We do not recommend filling your stock tank pool with well water. Rust occurs due to a chemical reaction.
With some love and TLC, a galvanized stock tank can last years.
Poly stock tanks DO NOT have an issue with rust or corrosion.
You can follow the following steps to best maintain your COYOTE POOL or stock tank pool:
Use an inline filter to fill or refill a tank when needed. It’s “almost” like a water softener. The inline filter connects to a hose and provides a small barrier from chlorine and mineral deposits from city water to enter and attach to your tank’s walls. If you decide to go with chlorine, use a chlorine dispenser. Never throw a chlorine tablet directly into your tank or allow pieces of chlorine to settle.
You can use 35% hydrogen peroxide if you prefer not to use chlorine. Installing a salt chlorinator is also an option ONLY for Poly stock tank pools.
Skim your COYOTE POOL, vacuum your COYOTE POOL and cover your COYOTE POOL with our custom COYOTE POOL COVER.
If your tank is not covered, skim and vacuum your tank often every 3 days or so. Allowing debris to settle at the bottom of your tank will also cause it to corrode faster. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND covering your stock tank pool.
How do you keep the water clean?
All of our COYOTE POOL PACKAGES include a high quality AquaPro sand filter & pump, skimmer net, chlorine starter kit, chlorine floater and pool thermometer, so you're covered when you purchase a pool package.
Just like you would maintain an above ground pool, your filter & pump keep your pump running at least 1-2 hours per day, a sanitizer of your choice should be used (chlorine tablets or 35% hydrogen peroxide, use a skimmer to remove leaves, bugs, debris, use a pool vacuum to pick up any fine dirt that settles at the bottom of your stock tank pool and a cover to keep to keep it even cleaner.
Let’s face it, no one wants a dirty COYOTE POOL (or stock tank pool), so be sure to add these items to your COYOTE POOL pool package and they will all be available to you once we arrive for delivery & install.