Stock tank

A stock tank is used to provide drinking water for animals such as cattle or horses. Stock tanks can range in size from 30 to over 1500 gallons and typically are made of galvanized steel. These tanks are filled either by a pump, windmill, creek, spring, or even rely on runoff water from rain or melting snow.

There are thousands of water ponds in Texas rangelands that locals call a 'tank'. When the weather is hot some people use them for swimming.

Other uses

Another use of a metal (or plastic) stock tank is at a fair or other event where they are filled with ice to keep canned and bottled beverages, or even perishables such as watermelons cold. Tackle shops are known to store minnows for fishing in them. A cowboy church commonly uses a stock tank for water baptisms.

Metal stock tanks have also been used as a cheap alternative for a hot tub. Various heating methods are possible, including a submersible wood stove such as the one made by [http://snorkel.com/index.php Snorkel Stoves] . Another innovative heating solution (using a salvaged drip coffee maker) can be seen [http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/35Tub.asp here]

Aquatic pets

Stock tanks can also make perfect indoor habitats for aquatic pets, such as turtles, frogs, etc. For example, red-eared sliders [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_eared_slider] are a species of aquatic turtles that require at least 10 gallons of water per every inch of shell length. Considering that these turtles can grow up to 12 inches in length, stock tanks are the perfect alternative for those who might not be able to afford a 90-120 gallon tank to house their pet(s).