How to DIY an above-ground pool pump cover with a fake rock

When I built our stock tank pool into our sloped backyard, figuring out how to hide the ugly Intex sand filter pump was one of my biggest challenges. The pump sat right next to the pool, completely exposed and ruining the natural rock aesthetic we’d worked so hard to create. 

Whether you have a stock tank pool, an above-ground pool, or even an Intex Easy Set pool, hiding pool pumps is a universal problem. Most DIY solutions I found online were wooden enclosures, lattice screens, and fabric covers, which is not the look I wanted. That’s when I discovered faux rock covers originally designed for well pumps and pipes, and I knew I’d found a solution that would work perfectly. 

This tutorial shows you exactly how to customize a realistic faux rock to cover your pool pump. It’s perfect for an Intex pump like mine.

Step-by-step instructions

Last year, I hid the pump with our lounge chairs, which looked pretty but weren’t healthy for the grass in the long run.  This was the reason why you couldn’t see the pump in my reveal post.

Check out my recent blog post about how to restore teak outdoor furniture. Those lounge chairs look like new now!

As you can see, the majority of our pool area is built with rocks, so a faux rock was the best option to blend in.

Measuring and testing the fit

We have the Intex 26643EG 1200 GPH Above-Ground Pool Sand Filter Pump, which is a perfect size for the stock tank pool. I measured that pump because I didn’t just want to rely on the manufacturer’s dimensions (you never know if they are correct or not).

According to my own measurements, I decided that this faux rock could possibly fit. You can see the product photo below:

When I received it, I still had to make sure that my measurements were correct.

So before starting with the project, I shut off the valves and disconnected the hoses to see if the rock would fit well over the pump. And yay, it sure did!

But I still had to make sure I could properly cut out the rock to make the hoses exit and lead from the covered pump to the stock tank pool.

Creating a cardboard cutting template

You can just use the cardboard box that the rock comes in to create the cutting template.

I propped up the cardboard in front of the pump where the hose inlets and outlets are. Then, I traced them onto the cardboard with a pencil, which you can see below. Keep in mind that you want to have the bottoms open so you can remove the faux rock pool pump cover without having to disconnect the hoses.

Next, I used the box cutter to cut out those shapes on the cardboard. Then I tried out the template on the pump to make sure I drew them correctly and that everything fits.

I put the rock in place over the pool pump and transferred the template onto the rock with a Sharpie.

You can use the leftover cut-out pieces to make sure you traced it right.

How to cut the faux rock pump cover

Time to cut the faux rock, but please make sure you use safety glasses! The tricky part is cutting the plastic. There are definitely little plastic pieces flying around during cutting that can hurt your eyes.

Also, make sure that you attach the Dremel mini saw correctly to avoid injury. If you need assistance with that, you can check out this YouTube video.
I considered using a jigsaw at first, but it vibrates too much and can shred the plastic of the faux rock. The Dremel worked wonderfully for me.

I cut out that shape and moved on to the next one.

In the end, I decided to just cut off the middle part for one big hole since everything is hidden anyway by the fence. It is also good to have nice circulation and air flow to the pump when the weather gets really warm in the summer.

I also added a square hole on the side that is hidden by my potted plants, so we are able to easily access the pump’s control panel without having to remove the rock.

Lastly, attach the two hoses again.

Putting the faux rock pool pump cover in place

The faux rock comes with plastic stakes that I didn’t need, though, because I weighted the sides down with more rocks.

Simply place the rock over the pump securely, and you are done.

Photos of the finished stock tank pool pump cover

And voila, it looks so much better than before. I still want to add some more plants in front of the faux rock to make it blend in more.

But I do think the color of the faux rock blends in nicely with the rest of our existing real rocks.

Here is a better view of the big rock wall and the colors of the rocks.

New to Stock Tank Pools? If you’re setting up your stock tank pool for the first time, check out my complete stock tank pool installation guide.

The hoses from the pool to the pump are pretty much hidden by the potted plants. The blue stick hidden behind the plants are the pool net and vacuum that we use to keep the pool clean. It’s also a perfect spot for those items to get hidden now.

Below you can also see the DIY macrame lantern that I made for above the pool. It looks so cool at night.

We’ve had this pool since 2019 and still love it so much, and it has held up great, as you can see below. The faux rock blends in even better now!

UPDATE: In 2025, I added a pool liner pad to a new stock tank pool liner replacement after we had to replace the liner. It had a big hole in it from ice accumulation during the winter.

Also, check out more stock tank pool ideas inspired by ours. And my blog post about “How much is a stock tank pool for your backyard?” for a complete cost breakdown.

That’s it for today. I hope you found this post helpful.

Tschüß,