Life as Art

Sip, Soak, Float,

and Repeat!

The Popularity of Cowboy Pools, Glamorized Trough Pools

& Galvanized Tank Pools

Long before Beth Dutton from Yellowstone made hopping into a water trough tank with two bottles of Champagne look effortlessly glamorous, farmers and cowboys already knew the secret of escaping the summer heat (although they were more likely to opt for a beer or sweet tea). Now, as temperatures rise here in TN and other parts of the country, it’s easy to daydream about becoming a pool owner to endure the dominant summer months. However, an in-ground pool can be an unpredictable endeavor, requiring endless maintenance with test strips, chemical applications, and the possibility of leaks, not to mention the substantial commitment of space, time, and cost. It’s no wonder people are exploring other options.

The popularity of the “Cowboy Pool” began in Austin, TX, and has since spread across different parts of the country as a cost-effective, quick, and trendy option among DIY enthusiasts. A quick browse on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest will lead you to many hashtags that describe these pools, with popular names including Cowboy Pools, Trough Pools, Stock Tank Pools, Galvanized Steel Pools, Soak Tanks, Hillbilly Pools, and Industrial Boho Pools. The most commonly sold size is 8’ or 10’ round, accommodating 5-6 people and a few small floats. Compact, cozy, and impressive!

A trip to your local Tractor Supply Store in the morning is all it takes to have your Stock Tank Pool private oasis up and running by the afternoon, with a price tag under $1,000. The popularity of these pools among DIY enthusiasts is due to the endless modification options that allow you to add, upgrade, and enhance the backyard appeal.

Starting with the pool’s interior, you can add an epoxy color coat to the bottom or a liner, paint the outside with a wide selection of colors and designs, and even install a pool heater to transform the stock tank into a year-round hot tub. With a 1KW heater, you can quickly raise the temperature to 102 degrees, and keeping the water clean is relatively simple with a pool pump kit/filter (similar to an above-ground pool kit), pool skimmer, and dissolvable tablets. Don’t forget to add a pool cover to your Amazon cart. One clever adaptation circling around social media is retrofitting pool noodles around the circumference of the steel rim. This upgrade makes it easier for children to climb in and out of the pool while also providing a cushion to lean on when sitting or lying back in the water.

Backyard Goals:

Once the tank pool is up and running, many homeowners take an additional design approach to transform their backyard into a cool haven. Custom decks around the tank pool, seating benches, pergolas with lights, and rock waterfalls are just a few possibilities. The options are as limitless as your imagination, allowing you to unlock the full potential of this captivating backyard addition.

In a world where beating the summer heat is a top priority, trough pools emerge as a stylish and functional solution. They embody the spirit of simplicity and offer a practical alternative. So, why wait? Splish, Splash, Sip, Soak, and Float~Repeat! Dive into the refreshing world of trough pools today!