Frequently Asked Questions

It comes down to the chemical you are storing and the temperature you run at. Polyethylene is the low-cost, easy-to-install choice for service up to about 140°F and resists a wide range of chemicals. Fiberglass (FRP) handles higher temperatures, up to roughly 180°F, and is built to spec for demanding chemical and potable-water duty. For service above 180°F, or for very large field-assembled tanks, stainless and carbon steel take over. Tell us the fluid, the temperature, and the capacity and we will match the material to the job.

Start with a chemical resistance chart to confirm the tank material is compatible with your fluid. Keep three cautions in mind: higher temperature reduces a material’s chemical resistance; real-world chemical mixtures are rarely pure and can behave differently than a single listed chemical; and a chemical that starts out compatible can degrade over time and become less so. Use the chart to narrow the field, then confirm with us for your exact concentration and temperature.

The best source is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer of the chemical, which covers safe handling and storage. Beyond that, NACE (the National Association of Corrosion Engineers) and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) both publish resources on materials and chemical resistance. Our own Chemical Resistance Chart is a good general starting point, and we are glad to help interpret it for your application.

Because responsibility for material selection has to rest with the person who knows the full picture of the application. Only through proper due diligence — the chemical, its concentration, the temperature, the exposure time, and anything else in the mix — can the correct material be chosen. A chart is a guide, not a guarantee. We help you work through it, but the final selection is a shared, careful decision.

Some are. A fiberglass tank has to be designed for drinking water from the beginning. That means selecting a resin that carries FDA or NSF certificates, then steam-curing the finished tank for the correct time and temperature so the interior is sealed and residual styrene is off-gassed. It is a specific certified procedure. A general-purpose FRP tank is not automatically potable-water safe, so specify drinking-water service up front.

For a poly tank it means the resin and additives that contact the product are cleared for food contact under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, the regulation covering olefin polymers (polyethylene and polypropylene) in food-contact articles. For drinking water, the reference is NSF/ANSI 61, which tests drinking-water system components for what they might add to the water. We build FDA/NSF poly tanks from LLDPE resin as one-piece, jointless rotationally molded structures, with food-contact fittings and gaskets to match.

Algae needs light. A white or translucent tank in the sun is close to an ideal place for it to grow, and algae can begin within about 72 hours of direct sunlight. Black and opaque tanks block the sun’s rays and stop the growth at the source, which is why they are the standard for outdoor water storage. Moving a white tank indoors slows growth but does not fully stop it. A small amount of chlorine also holds algae back, though it adds a slight taste.

Polyethylene tanks are rotationally molded — formed as a single piece with no interior seams or joints, which is ideal for clean water and chemical service. Steel tanks come welded or bolted. Bolted staves can be pre-coated inside and out (great for water) but need periodic gasket replacement; welded construction has no gaskets to service but is coated in the field. Each has a place, and the right pick depends on size, fluid, and site conditions.

A tank adapter is any fitting that allows a piping, plumbing, or process connection to the tank. Common types include NPT (national pipe thread) connections, ANSI flanges, and Tri-Clamp sanitary fittings for food-grade service. The fitting and its gasket have to be compatible with the stored fluid, just like the tank itself, so we spec them together with the tank.

Yes. Chemicals and petroleum products affect gasket materials very differently, and the wrong gasket can fail even when the tank is fine. Always confirm the proposed gasket material against your chemical with the manufacturer. We select gaskets to match the fluid, temperature, and fitting for your specific application.

It depends on the application. The more aggressive the stored liquid, the more closely you should watch tank life, and the shorter the inspection cycle should be. A regular inspection routine tells you when a tank is nearing the end of its service life before it becomes a problem. We can help you set reasonable inspection intervals for what you store.

Yes. We provide free consultations to assess your storage volume, chemical compatibility, space constraints, and application specifics, then recommend the right tank, material, and accessories. We ask the detail questions up front because the wrong material or fitting is expensive to fix later.

Tank specifications, material costs, and freight rates all vary, so we quote each project in real time to keep the number accurate. Pricing factors shift through the year, and we want the number you see to be the number you pay. Request a quote and we will get you a real price for your tank and your location.

Lead times vary by manufacturer, tank size, and current demand. Standard tanks typically ship within 4 to 6 weeks; custom builds may need additional production time. We ship across the United States and have delivered internationally as well. Contact us for a specific timeline on your project.