FIRST-HAND PROJECT · OUTDOOR LIVING

My 8-Foot Stock Tank Pool Setup

I wanted a compact backyard pool without taking on a traditional in-ground pool project. I bought an 8-foot setup from Ranch Pools and paid $4,750 at the time. This is my actual backyard installation—what came with it, how setup went, what I added and what ownership has been like so far.

First-hand note: The photos in this guide are from my own pool and backyard. I purchased the setup directly from Ranch Pools. Current packages, pricing and promotions may differ from what I purchased.

8-foot stock tank pool partially unpacked on my backyard paver patio — The pool after delivery and while I was unpacking it on the patio.

What came with my setup

My package included the 8-foot pool, pump, filter, plumbing, skimmer net, chlorine float and 1-inch chlorine tablets. The main circulation and basic pool-care pieces were already accounted for instead of requiring me to research and piece together the system separately.

Price note: $4,750 is what I paid for my package. Prices, packages and promotions can change, so this should not be treated as the current Ranch Pools price.

From delivery to a finished pool

The setup is compact enough that the pool, circulation equipment and surrounding patio can function as one outdoor-living area. The photos here show the actual finished installation rather than a staged product image.

Finished 8-foot galvanized stock tank pool with pump and filter installed — The completed pool setup with the pump and filter installed beside it.

How long did setup take?

I followed the company's setup video. The equipment was hooked up in roughly 30 minutes, and the pool was ready to use in about an hour and a half. That quick setup was one of the biggest advantages for me: I wanted a usable backyard pool, not another long construction project.

Filled 8-foot stock tank pool with a blue pool noodle in my backyard — The finished pool filled and ready to use.

How it fits into the backyard

One of the things I like most is that the pool works as part of the backyard rather than taking it over. From inside the pool, the covered patio is still part of the same space, which is how we actually use the area.

The 8-foot size has worked well for the space because it gives us a real place to cool off without dominating the entire yard. Once filled and running, it feels more like a permanent part of the patio than a temporary above-ground pool. That was important to me because the goal was to improve the backyard rather than make it look like pool equipment had simply been dropped into it.

View from inside my stock tank pool toward the covered backyard patio — The view from the pool toward our covered patio shows how the pool fits into the rest of the backyard.

What everyday use actually looks like

Once filled, the pool is deep enough to cool off and relax without the footprint of a conventional backyard pool. It also gets used as a real part of the yard—not just something that looks good in photos. Even the dog has tested it out.

Dog standing in my filled stock tank pool — A real-world test of the pool: even the dog gets in.

The cover and accessories I added

I purchased an inflatable hard cover separately from Ranch Pools. At the time they were running a special with a discount code that effectively made the cover free. I later added a fountain, floating solar lights, a rechargeable vacuum, water-test strips, storage and a few fun poolside items.

Those additions are covered separately in Stock Tank Pool Accessories I Actually Use, including the exact products I bought rather than a generic list of pool accessories.

Would I do anything differently?

No. Based on my experience so far, there isn't anything I would change about the setup. I would highly recommend this type of setup to someone whose priorities are similar to mine: a compact backyard pool, straightforward installation and less complexity than a conventional pool project.

What I like about the package approach

The biggest advantage for me was simplicity. Instead of starting with a tank and researching every fitting, pump and filter component independently, the core system arrived as a package. For a homeowner who values a clean installation and minimal hassle, that convenience has real value.

What to consider before buying

Measure the intended location carefully, make sure you have a suitable level base, think through electrical access for the pump, and decide how you plan to cover and maintain the pool. Also compare the convenience of a packaged system against sourcing the individual components yourself; the right answer depends on how much you value time and simplicity.

My bottom line

For my backyard and priorities, the 8-foot setup has done exactly what I wanted. The installation was quick, the core equipment was included, it fits naturally into the patio area, and I haven't found something I wish I had done differently.

This article describes my personal purchase and experience. Florida Home Lab may use affiliate links on this site. Affiliate links are identified where used, and qualifying purchases may earn the site a commission at no additional cost to the buyer.