A stock tank pool is a plain open vessel you fill with water and use as it is, while a swim spa is a heated, jetted spa built for swimming in place. The stock tank pool vs swim spa choice comes down to how much equipment you want around the water: a tank gives you a simple soak with no heater, jets or filtration, and a spa gives you warm, moving water that needs power, a cover and regular care.
This guide sets out the differences from the listings we reviewed: a 150-gallon stock tank and a 6-foot round pool cover, with the tank as the vessel and the cover as the accessory listed to warm the water and keep it clean. Listings were collected 5 November 2026.
This article is informational and is not medical advice. Hot water strains the heart and causes fluid loss. Do not soak after alcohol, when pregnant, when unwell, or with a heart condition or low blood pressure without asking a clinician first. Leave the water at once if you feel dizzy, sick or confused. Never leave children unattended near water. See our Medical Disclaimer.
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Quick picks
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Rubbermaid Commercial Products BRUTE Stock Tank Chill Score 9.7/10Check price on AmazonA 150-gallon structural foam stock tank with a 10-year limited warranty, a ribbed base and a 2-inch drain plug, listed for livestock water and outdoor pool or hot tub use.
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QH.HOME 6 ft Round Pool Cover,Stock Tank Pool Chill Score 9.6/10Check price on AmazonA 6-foot round pool cover in black 500D Oxford fabric that blocks leaves and sun, heats water in the sun and fits the trough pools the listing names, plus 6-foot round pools, with a drawstring and weight rings.
A 150-gallon structural foam stock tank with a 10-year limited warranty, a ribbed base and a 2-inch drain plug, listed for livestock water and outdoor pool or hot tub use.
Pros & ConsViewHide
Pros
- 150-gallon capacity in structural foam
- 10-Year Limited Warranty stated
- Ribbed base and body stiffeners for rigidity
- Oversized 2-inch drain plug, protected by surrounding walls
Cons
- 53.0 pounds to move before it is filled
- No cover is included
- No heater, jets or filtration is stated
- 58.0 x 39.0 x 24.5 inches, so check the footprint first
A 6-foot round pool cover in black 500D Oxford fabric that blocks leaves and sun, heats water in the sun and fits the trough pools the listing names, plus 6-foot round pools, with a drawstring and weight rings.
Pros & ConsViewHide
Pros
- Blocks 99% of UV rays, UPF50+ certified
- Black fabric raises water temperature by 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit
- Reduces nighttime heat loss by 95%
- 500D Oxford fabric with a stated tear strength of 330 lbs
Cons
- Cover only: no pool, heater or pump is included
- Cut for a round pool, so check the fit on a rectangular tank first
- No warranty term is stated
- Thin at 0.004 inches, so it relies on the drawstring and weight rings in wind
Stock tank pool vs swim spa: what each one is
A stock tank pool starts as a farm tank. The Rubbermaid listing describes a 150-gallon BRUTE stock tank in structural foam, made for livestock feed and water and also listed for outdoor pool and hot tub use. It is a single open container: ribbed base, body stiffeners, a smooth surface with no sharp surfaces, and an oversized 2-inch drain plug. Nothing in the listing heats the water, moves it or filters it, so the tank on its own is a still soak that warms only with the sun and the cover.
A swim spa, by contrast, is built as a spa first: heat, jets and filtration are the point of it. Neither listing in this guide is a swim spa, so this guide states no heater watts, jet counts or filtration figures for one. What the listings do show is the tank side of the comparison in full: the vessel, and the cover that warms it and keeps it clean.
Size and water
The tank holds 150 gallons and measures 58.0 x 39.0 x 24.5 inches, at 53.0 pounds empty. That is a rectangular footprint to place on a flat spot, with room for a soak rather than a swim. The cover fits a different shape: it is made for 6-foot round pools, at 72.0 x 72.0 x 0.004 inches, and the listing asks you to measure the diameter of your pool first. The cover is cut for a round pool, with a drawstring for a snug fit around a round rim. The listing also names trough pools it fits, including Rubbermaid, so measure this rectangular tank, at 58.0 x 39.0 inches, against the 72.0 x 72.0-inch cover and check the size comparison chart in the picture.
Check the fit before buying either one. The tank listing names no cover, and the cover listing names the brands it fits: CountyLine, Rubbermaid, Tarter and Hastings trough pools, and Bestway, Intex and Coleman 6-foot round pools. Measure first, then match the shape.
Heat: what warms the water
No heater is stated for the tank. The cover does the warming: its black fabric absorbs heat to raise water temperature by 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, while reducing nighttime heat loss by 95%. The fabric is PU-coated 500D Oxford, and the maker lists that it blocks 99% of UV rays with UPF50+ certification, which also helps prevent algae growth.
That is sun heat, not a thermostat. The cover cannot hold a set temperature, and the listing states no heater, pump or power figure for the tank. If you want water held at a chosen temperature, the tank and cover alone will not do it: that is the swim spa side of the comparison, and it is not covered by these listings.
Cover and upkeep
The cover keeps the water cleaner by blocking rainwater, dirt and leaves, with waterproof sealing strips on all top seams. The maker lists that it reduces cleaning and chemical use, which lowers maintenance. The drawstring and weight rings hold the cover snug in wind, and the lay-flat seamless edge is designed to avoid edge cracking.
The tank drains through its oversized 2-inch drain plug, protected by surrounding walls so animal impact does not damage it. The listing describes the tank as weather, impact and corrosion resistant, with a ribbed base and body stiffeners for a longer product life. For upkeep, the routine is simple: keep the water covered when it is not in use, and drain and clean through the plug when the water needs changing.
The gear
These are scored on the Chill Score, which weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. The tank earns safety points for its smooth surface with no sharp surfaces, and the cover earns safety points for its UPF50+ certification and material the maker lists as safe for children and pets. The tank earns warranty points for its stated 10-Year Limited Warranty; the cover states no warranty term, so it earns none.
| Product | Chill Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubbermaid Stock Tank | 9.7 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 5 | 4 |
| QH.HOME 6-Foot Cover | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
For more choices, see our best swim spa cover for winter picks.
Common mistakes
Buying the cover before measuring the pool is one mistake to avoid. The QH.HOME cover is made for 6-foot round pools, and the listing also names trough pools it fits, including Rubbermaid. Measure the pool first, and check the size comparison chart in the picture: the cover is cut round at 72.0 x 72.0 inches, while this tank is rectangular at 58.0 x 39.0 inches.
Expecting the tank to heat or filter the water is another. The listing states no heater, jets or filtration, so the tank is a still soak. The cover warms the water by 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit in the sun, but it is not a heater and it holds no set temperature.
Going without a cover is another. Without a cover, leaves and rain reach the water, and the listing states the cover blocks both. The QH.HOME cover also holds in the daytime heat its black fabric gathers, cutting nighttime heat loss by 95%, per the listing.
Common questions
Can a stock tank be used as a pool?
Yes. The Rubbermaid listing names outdoor pool and hot tub use alongside livestock feed and water. It is a 150-gallon structural foam tank with a ribbed base and a 2-inch drain plug.
Does a stock tank pool need a heater?
The tank listing states no heater. The cover raises water temperature by 8-12 degrees Fahrenheit in the sun, so the tank side relies on sun and cover rather than a built-in heater.
What size cover fits a 6-foot stock tank pool?
The QH.HOME cover is made for 6-foot round pools, and the listing also names trough pools it fits. Measure the diameter of your pool first, as the listing asks, and check it against the size comparison chart in the picture.
How do you drain a stock tank pool?
Through the oversized 2-inch drain plug, which the listing says is protected by surrounding walls. The plug is made for easy draining and cleaning.
Does the stock tank come with a warranty?
Yes. The listing states a 10-Year Limited Warranty. The cover states no warranty term.
Sources: Amazon product listings for the tank and cover named above, collected 5 November 2026. Related: our collapsible ice bath vs stock tank and rotomolded vs fiberglass hot tub.
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