The 7 Best Stock Tanks
This wiki has been updated 32 times since it was first published in August of 2015. While they may be intended for feeding animals like horses and cattle, stock tanks are versatile enough to act as planters, ice coolers, dog baths, hay tubs, storage bins, chick brooders, and even backyard swimming pools. Whether you’re looking for a durable steel model or a flexible plastic one, our comprehensive selection is designed to help you find the right style and size to suit your needs. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Rubbermaid Commercial
2. Behrens Oval Tub
3. Tarter Galvanized
Editor's Notes
July 01, 2020:
Other than feeding livestock, the multipurpose stock tank can also double as an ice cooler, a dog bath, or even a backyard swimming pool. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as well as your choice of steel or plastic, as our list reflects. Today we added in the Tarter Galvanized, which is from a manufacturer who has been producing farm equipment in the United States since 1945. It’s made of rolled steel with no sharp edges and a precision-cut bottom. Unlike some others, it comes with a built-in drain plug, so you’ll be able to empty it without much effort. It features a strong corrugated design and a rust-resistant coating. For a similar model, yet one that incorporates carrying handles, look to the Behrens Oval Tub, which is a popular choice of those who host frequent outdoor parties, as it’s easy to transport from the yard to the garage to the house, as needed, and its molten zinc coating ensures it won’t leak ice. It’s available in six sizes, so you should find the right one for you, whether you’re using it as a cooler, a planter, or a feeding and drinking tub for livestock.
If you’re partial to one that has a flexible plastic design, consider the Rubbermaid Commercial, which can hold up to 70 gallons and has stepped sidewalls and reinforced ribbing for both strength and stability. Like the Tarter model, this one comes with a drain plug, so you won’t need to labor to turn it over when it’s time to empty it of liquid. The Tuff Stuff KMT102 is another plastic choice that features industrial-strength quality. It’s made of 100% recycled low-density plastic that resists impacts and can stand up to years of heavy use. It’s sold in both oval and circular shapes, so you’re sure to find one to suit your purposes. Note that this one does not have a drain plug. It is a popular choice as a planter, however, and those who use it for this purpose simply drill holes in the bottom for drainage purposes. No matter one which you go with, if it stays outside filled with water for your animals, be sure to clean it regularly by draining it and scrubbing the inside with a brush along with some bleach and warm water. Skim the top regularly to remove things like leaves and tree needles, which can encourage algae growth over time. If you’re providing water for your livestock or using a stock tank as a swimming pool, be sure to supervise small children around the tank at all times.
Special Honors
CountyLine Oval You can help keep your livestock healthy and hydrated with this durable tub that can hold up to 100 gallons of water. It’s made with safety in mind, with no sharp edges. It’s constructed from high-quality galvanized steel that is resistant to rust, so it should hold up well under heavy use for quite some time. It’s also sized right for use as a planter, a cooler, or for storage purposes. tractorsupply.com
Hastings Nbr - HD1002 Backed by a generous five-year warranty, this tank is made with four-ply lock seams that are sealed for strong protection from leaks. A steel pipe is rolled into its top to create a crush-proof rim, and it also features a long-lasting zinc-plated threaded plug assembly. It can bear up to 265 pounds in weight, and is also sold in seven smaller sizes. hastingstank.com
Hutchison Western Round This sturdy choice sports a smooth 1-1/4-inch rim, with sidewalls and bottoms that are made of 20-gauge galvanized metal that’s fully locked, swaged, corrugated, welded, and sealed. In addition, it features a fully seamed Pittsburgh lock bottom. It’s sold in nine capacities, and is a good solution for windmill watering systems, desert water stations, the feeding of farm animals, and more. Incorporated is a two-piece drain plug and watertight screw-clamp fittings. hutchison-inc.com
4. Tuff Stuff KMT102
5. Achla Designs Oval Tub
6. High Country Plastics Aqua
7. Behlen Country ST
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.