DIY Stock Tank Soaking Tub
Stock Tank Soaking Tubs & Advantages of Using a Stock Tank for a Soaking Tub
Discover the luxury and convenience of a stock tank soaking tub! It is easy to make a soaking tub or a hot tub using a regular, common stock tank. Stock tanks are functional, sturdy, and easy to set up and drain. When you combine it with a super efficient Chofu heater, you can have a luxurious spa or hot tub at a fraction of the price! Stock tanks are perfect for hot tubs and soaking tanks because they have the perfect depth for soaking up to your shoulders, and the rounded edge makes for a perfect neck rest.
A soaking tub is much simpler than a spa or traditional hot tub. A lot of people prefer that sort of simplicity. Stock tank soaking tubs are inexpensive and easy to maintain. If you have been looking for a good hot tub but have been turned off by the cost, a stock tank soaking tub might be just the solution for you! And to get the most our of your stock tank spa, you can easily insulate it and build a deck around it for beauty and convenience.
When you combine a stock tank soaking tub or stock tank spa with a Chofu heater, it is the perfect setup for a vacation home or anywhere where you might have electricity turned off to it for an extended period of time. You can easily disconnect the heater from the tub when you are not using it, and then drain and cover the stock tank for hassle-free storage.
Advantages of Using a Stock Tank for a Soaking Tub
- Stock tanks are low volume and easy to drain. This means that you can drain and clean them much more easily than a traditional hot tub. You don’t have to use toxic chemicals for sanitation for your pool, creating a healthier soaking experience for you.
- Stock tanks are easy to move. They are light weight enough to tilt on their side and roll, or you could easily lift your stock tank with a couple of people to help. Since they are all one piece, there is no complicated setup process.
- Stock tanks are extremmely inexpensive. Depending on the size of stock tank you are looking at getting, you will pay between $70 and $200. Try finding any decent size hot tub for that price!
What are stock tanks?
Stock tanks, as the name indicates, are tanks that are designed to be used by stock – that is, livestock. Basically, they’re watering troughs. They were created to fill with water for cows, horses, and any other livestock. But as it turns out, their durability and versatility also make them perfect for swimming pools! You can get stock tanks in any volume from 40 gallons to 800 gallons, so you can get the perfect soaking tub for you no matter how much space you have to work with.
Metal and Plastic Stock Tanks
You can get stock tank soaking tubs in metal or plastic. Metal stock tanks are made out of electro-galvanized steel. They have a rolled rim that you can rest your neck on comfortably. The sides have lateral corrugations to make them strong, and the bottom is sealed with a crimped-locked seam. The depth of these stock tanks is about 23-24 inches deep.
Plastic stock tanks are made out of a UV-resistant polyethylene. They have sloping sides with steps for stability, which can make them more difficult to insulate than metal stock tanks. They are a bit more comfortable to sit in than metal stock tanks, with a 2-inch rolled brim for your neck rest instead of the 1-inch brim on the metal stock tank. Plastic stock tanks are about 24-25 inches deep.
How to use a stock tank soaking tub
You sit in your stock tank soaking tub with your back against the side and your legs stretched out, like in a Japanese soaking tub. You can insulate the stock tank to keep heat in. To attach a Chofu heater, two holes will be cut in the side of the tank for water circulation, as well as a hole for a drain. Both the heater and the tub must be placed on a solid base for stability. Ideally, there should be no difference in legation between the two, to guarantee the most efficient thermosiphon circulation.
For maximum efficiency, we recommend that you keep your stock tank spa covered while you are not using it. This prevents loss of heat from the surface, which in turn reduces the load on the heater.
