How to Keep a Stock Tank Clean

If you have horses, cattle or other livestock you will need to provide them with access to clean, fresh water around the clock. In order to stay healthy, horses, cattle and other stock animals need to drink a lot of water, and without access to fresh water their health can suffer. Unfortunately, many owners find that keeping the stock tank clean is a constant challenge. The good news is that there are some methods you can use to keep that tank clean and fresh.

Things You'll Need

  • Hose
  • Bleach
  • Stiff bristle brush
  • Fish
  • Swimming pool skimmer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the drain plug at the bottom of the tank and allow all of the water to drain out of the tank. Set the drain plug aside in a safe place. Use a stiff bristle brush to loosen up any accumulated dirt, debris, algae or rust.

    • 2

      Use a mixture of warm water and bleach to thoroughly clean out the stock tank. Scrub the interior of the tank thoroughly using a stiff brush or a clean cloth. It may take several cleanings to remove all of the accumulated debris, especially if it has been some time since the tank was drained and cleaned.

    • 3

      Replace the drain plug, and fill the tank with fresh, clean water. To keep algae from becoming a problem in the future you can purchase a couple of Koi fish for a large stock tank, or some goldfish for a smaller tank. The fish called algae eaters can also do a good job of keeping the tank clean.

    • 4

      Keep a close eye on the stock tank each day. If leaves or other debris have accumulated in the tank you can use a skimmer designed for swimming pools to fish those items out. If you notice a large accumulation of debris, or if the tank has become muddy, you should drain and clean the tank again.