How to Clear Up a Muddy Stock Tank

If you own horses, cattle or other livestock, it's your job to provide them with fresh, clean water. Common equine diseases like colic can be caused by a lack of fresh water, and cattle can suffer a number of health problems if they do not have access to fresh water. One of the biggest problems livestock owners face when setting up a stock tank is keeping it clean of mud and other debris.

Things You'll Need

  • Hose with spray nozzle
  • Bleach
  • Brush
  • Cloth
  • Swimming pool skimmer
  • Wood or concrete blocks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the drain plug out of the stock tank and set it aside. Make sure you keep the drain plug in a safe place until it is needed. Allow all of the water to drain out of the stock tank and then use a brush to clean out the interior of the tank.

    • 2

      Mix a solution of bleach and warm water, using approximately a cup of bleach for every two gallons of water. Use your brush and a clean cloth to apply the bleach solution, allowing it to sit for a few minutes and then wiping it away. Use the hose to spray the bottom and the sides of the tank. You may need to repeat this process several times before the tank is completely clean.

    • 3

      Examine the area where the stock tank is sitting. If it is sitting in an area where water tends to accumulate after a hard rain, keeping it free of mud will be an exercise in futility. Move the tank to a drier location before proceeding.

    • 4

      Place a wood or concrete block under each corner of the stock tank. This will elevate the stock tank off the ground and reduce the amount of mud, dirt and debris that gets into the tank. When elevating the corners of the stock tank be sure that the tank is level. Use a level to make sure the tank is not leaning before attempting to fill it.

    • 5

      Replace the drain plug and fill the stock tank with water. Keep an eye on the tank as it fills, making sure that the tank is sitting level. After the tank has been filled keep an eye on it daily, and use a skimmer designed for swimming pools to remove any accumulated debris on a daily basis.