Circular stock trough prices at The Water Tank Factory range from $475 for the 300-litre CT300 up to $795 for the 1,350-litre CT1350, with a 500-litre CT500 sitting in between at $575. Add a float valve for $75, or a float and chambers setup for $175, if you want the trough to refill itself. Which model makes sense for your property comes down to herd size, refill access and how many troughs you’re setting up — here’s how the range breaks down.
The Circular Stock Trough Range at a Glance
Optional extras (all models): Float valve — $75 · Float & chambers — $175
Every model is built from heavy-duty polyethylene by Duraplas Industries — the online sales division of Duraplas Industries, manufacturing since 1984 in Alstonville, Northern Rivers NSW — with factory-direct pricing and a confirmed delivery date at the time of ordering.
CT300 — Compact Capacity for Small Mobs and Tight Spaces
At $475 for 300 litres, the CT300 is the entry point in the range and the right call for smaller-scale setups: sheep, goats, poultry runs, small hobby-farm mobs, or as a secondary trough placed to reduce walking distance across a larger paddock rather than as the sole water point for a full herd.
Its compact 1.18m diameter also makes it easy to reposition by hand — useful if you’re rotating stock through several smaller paddocks and want to move the water point with them rather than plumbing multiple fixed troughs.
CT500 — The Mid-Range All-Rounder
The CT500 is the middle ground at $575 for 500 litres, and for a lot of properties it’s the practical default. It carries enough standing capacity for a moderate cattle or horse mob between refills, while staying manageable enough (1.47m diameter) to install without heavy equipment.
If you’re setting up a new paddock and aren’t yet sure whether you’ll need one large trough or several smaller ones, the CT500 is a reasonable middle option to start from — you can always add a second unit once you’ve seen how your herd actually uses it.
CT1350 — Maximum Capacity for Larger Herds and Remote Paddocks
At $795, the CT1350 holds 1,350 litres — more than four times the CT300’s capacity — in a 1.76m diameter footprint. This is the model to reach for when either your herd size is larger, or your refill access is limited: bore water that only runs part of the day, water carted in on a schedule, or a paddock at the far end of a gravity-fed line with slow inflow.
In those situations, standing capacity does the work that a fast refill would otherwise do elsewhere on the property. A single CT1350 can also reduce the total number of troughs (and fittings, and float valves) needed across a paddock compared with running several smaller units.
Float Valves and Float & Chambers — Worth the Extra Cost?
Both options automate refilling so the trough tops itself up as stock drink, rather than requiring manual checks:
- Float valve ($75): a standard ballcock-style valve that shuts off inflow once the trough reaches its set level — the same mechanism used in header tanks and cisterns. It’s the simpler, lower-cost option and suits troughs in accessible, low-risk locations.
- Float & chambers ($175): adds a protective housing around the float mechanism. This matters most with larger stock — cattle and horses can damage an exposed float through contact or curiosity, and a knocked-out float means an overflowing trough (and wasted water) until someone notices. For the CT1350 in particular, given the herd sizes it typically serves, the chambered option is usually the better long-term choice.
Either option pays for itself quickly if it saves even one manual refill trip per week during peak summer demand.
Matching Trough Size and Number to Your Herd
Model selection is only half the equation — how many troughs you need, and how they’re spaced across the paddock, depends on herd size, species and layout. We’ve covered that calculation in detail, including animal-to-trough ratios and flow-rate guidelines, in our guide on planning trough numbers for a new paddock. If you’re also weighing up trough material and design features, our comprehensive livestock trough guide covers that ground.
As a starting point for combining size and count: smaller CT300 or CT500 units spaced further apart often outperform a single large trough for herds spread across bigger paddocks, while a CT1350 makes sense where refill access — not paddock spread — is the limiting factor.
Getting Your Trough Order Right the First Time
Because all three models ship factory-direct with a confirmed delivery date, it pays to lock in model and extras (float valve or float & chambers) in the one order rather than adding fittings later — it saves a second freight cost and gets your paddock watering system running in one visit.
If you’re not sure which model suits your setup, get in touch with our friendly human team on 1300 826 532— we’ll help you match capacity, refill access and budget to the right trough for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions: Stock Trough Prices
How much does a stock trough cost in Australia?
The Water Tank Factory’s circular stock trough range starts at $475 for the 300-litre CT300 and runs to $795 for the 1,350-litre CT1350, with the 500-litre CT500 at $575. A float valve adds $75, or $175 for a float with protective chambers.
What size stock trough do I need?
It depends on herd size, species and refill access — smaller CT300 or CT500 units suit sheep, goats and smaller mobs or paddocks needing multiple water points, while the CT1350 suits larger herds or properties with limited refill access. See our paddock trough-count guide for detailed ratios by species.
Is a float valve or float & chambers better for a stock trough?
A standard float valve ($75) suits accessible, lower-risk locations. Float & chambers ($175) adds protection against damage from cattle and horses, and is generally the better choice for larger troughs like the CT1350 that typically serve bigger stock.
Can I add a float valve to my stock trough later, or should I order it upfront?
You can add one later, but ordering it with your initial trough purchase avoids a second freight cost and gets your watering system fully operational from day one.