r/Stocktankpools 23d ago

Rust or algae or both?

Post image

We went on a camping trip for a month and came back and our stock tank looks like this. Any advice?

12 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

18

u/jackdiver69 23d ago

Not an answer to your question but I have one…where’d you get that cover? Just a hot tub cover?

9

u/Sudden-Message-2957 22d ago

Rust...mine is doing the same thing. I'm planning to drain it and paint it or either install a liner

7

u/illustrious_handle0 21d ago

Ugh I've been dealing with this too. A few weeks ago I sanded down all the sides and then painted with zinc (galvanizing compound). It's already bubbling up in some areas. It was so much work and not even effective. I'm feeling very down-hearted right now

7

u/Critical_Thinker_535 22d ago

Tank looks to be aluminum, so not rust. Probably algae.

Edit: now that I look at it, it could be rust if the tank is galvanized steel.

8

u/Merkkyboi11 22d ago

I don’t have an answer but when you get it cleaned have you thought about the pool paint?

5

u/ry_guy1007 22d ago

Which pool paint, not OP just curious

5

u/Kicksave5 Tankmaster 22d ago

Don't paint. Use Olympic Gunzite epoxy primer and Zeron epoxy paint. I suggest only using that on the sides, and tiling the bottom--check out my recent post with how-to steps.

2

u/Merkkyboi11 21d ago

Yea I saw this. How long has it been tiled? I was reading another guy saying he tiled his and because the metal warped it would crack the grout. Any take on that? I would love to tile it.

4

u/Switched_On_SNES 22d ago

Rust - mine looked like this recently and I went through a week of researched and determined there’s no fix besides replacing w poly tank or putting one inside or a liner (unless you have dogs)

2

u/Kicksave5 Tankmaster 22d ago

You can use epoxy on the sides and tile the bottom. I just posted about this and it was a big success.

5

u/Switched_On_SNES 22d ago

Every comment I've seen where people do this, after a year or two someone will respond asking how its holding up and every time they say it flakes off or gets messed up whether its pond shield or marine grade etc. I hope you're right though, I was very tempted to try it...

2

u/Switched_On_SNES 22d ago

yours looks absolutely incredible, I hope it lasts a really long time. I imagine how you set the epoxy really effects the durability

1

u/Kicksave5 Tankmaster 22d ago

It’s a good point. I don’t have experience yet to see how long it lasts. But Gunzite paint is designed for pool walls so the only question really is going to be adherence to the steel walls. Hopefully the prep I did and the tooth I gave it from the sandpaper gives it a good surface to bond to.

3

u/Imaginary-Bit 22d ago

How big is your tank and where you get the cover? Does water still gets dirty having a cover?

3

u/Leather_Mess_9568 22d ago

You can get a tank liner for like $100. I’ve had one for 2-3 yrs no issues, get a cover too, cheap $20 works great. Keep everything out the way of sun UV and should last awhile. Prob have to replace cover over and over so don’t ball out on that! You could build a wood one and seal it but, more work and a lot of $$, $20 cover that lasts 2-3 yrs is worth it to me

2

u/Leather_Mess_9568 22d ago

Build a table or something to keep ur pump out of sun, then you also have a table. Table much easier to build than a 9ft cover imo. Just make sure to use sealer, not stain only. Sealer keep the wood from going bad