How to Clean Stock Tank Water

Stock tanks are one of the most common ways to water livestock, such as cattle or horses, if you do not have some type of natural watering source on your property. Animals are exactly like humans in that they need quality water to maintain their health, and while stock tanks can provide them with a renewable source of water, it is also a stationary water source, which means buildup can occur, tainting the quality. A variety of methods exist to clean the water in your stock tank and keep your livestock with a regular supply of fresh water.

Things You'll Need

  • Stock tank water cleaner solution
  • Scrub brush (optional)
  • Bleach (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the stock tank in advance to determine which method you should apply to clean the water. If the water is merely cloudy, you can simply add additional water to make the stock tank overflow, thus flushing out the cloudy "old" water and resupplying it with fresh water. If the water has algae or mineral buildup, you will want to use a stock tank cleaning solution. Excessively dirty stock tanks will need to be emptied and cleaned.

    • 2

      Purchase an appropriate-sized stock tank cleaning solution kit for your stock tank. Most cleaning solutions work for 30 days after introducing them to the water in the tank, but you need to ensure that you buy enough solution to cover the size of your tank. Follow the directions on your stock tank cleanser to introduce the dispenser of solution into your stock tank. Change it out on the appropriate day, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

    • 3

      Clean the stock tank itself if the tank's edges are filled with algae or mineral buildup. Empty the stock tank by removing the plug. Fill it with clean water and add a gallon of bleach to the water. Allow the water and bleach to soak into the algae or minerals. Scrub the residue off with the scrub brush and drain the stock tank. Rinse it out and fill it with fresh water. Add the stock tank cleaning solution dispenser for additional protection in the coming days.