85 Gallon Full Drain Cone Bottom Inductor Tank
The 85 Gallon Full Drain Cone Bottom Inductor Tank provides complete gravity drainage through a conical bottom — zero residual liquid between batches, eliminating cross-contamination. Norwesco #44218.
Applications & Use Cases
Agricultural Chemical Storage
Water Treatment Chemical Storage
Compatible water treatment chemicals for this Specific Gravity (SG) 1.5 tank: sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for disinfection, ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate (alum) for coagulation/flocculation, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and sulfuric acid for pH adjustment, and anionic/cationic polymer for clarification. Each chemical requires its own dedicated tank — never mix chemicals in a shared tank. Use as a bulk storage tank feeding chemical metering pumps via flexible tubing.
Batch Processing & Complete Drainage
The conical bottom provides true complete drainage — no heel, no residual liquid, no dead volume. This is critical for:
- Chemical batch mixing: Zero cross-contamination between different chemicals or formulation batches
- Agricultural spray mixing: Complete drainage means you apply 100% of what you mix — no waste stuck in the tank bottom
- Pharmaceutical/food processing: CIP (clean-in-place) protocols require complete drainage for validated cleaning cycles
- Water treatment polymer: Day tanks for polymer preparation require complete drainage between batches to prevent gel buildup
Cone Angle Selection Guide
| Angle | Drainage | Best For |
| 15° | Slow, gentle | Free-flowing liquids, maximum capacity per diameter, lowest height |
| 20° | Moderate | General purpose, balance of height and drainage speed |
| 30° | Standard | Most chemicals and agricultural applications, light suspended solids |
| 45° | Fast, aggressive | Viscous liquids, slurries, rapid batch turnaround |
| 57-60° | Near-vertical | Inductor/mixing tanks, zero-residual critical applications |
| Capacity | 85 gallons |
| Depth | 30" |
| Height | 49" |
| Empty Weight | 37 lbs |
| Full Weight (water) | 746 lbs |
| Full Weight (Specific Gravity 1.5) | 1,100 lbs (0.6 tons) |
| Footprint | 4.9 sq ft |
| Outlet | 2"" NPT |
| Lid/Manway | 16"" |
| Specific Gravity (SG) | 1.5 (Premium Weight) |
| Max Temperature | 120°F / 50°C |
| Min Temperature | No minimum (tested to -40°F impact) |
| Manufacturer | Norwesco (world's largest rotomolder, est. 1939) |
| Parent Company | Tank Holding Corp (50+ plants, 2,500+ employees) |
| Resin | virgin linear HDPE |
| Construction | One-piece rotational molding — zero seams or welds |
| UV Protection | UV-15 long-term stabilizer (in-resin, not coating) |
| Fittings | Glass-filled polypropylene / EPDM gaskets |
| Gasket Options | EPDM (std), Viton (chemical), Buna-N |
| FDA Status | 21 CFR 177.1520 compliant |
| Warranty | 3-Year Full Replacement |
| Part Number | 44218 |
| UPC | 0 89109 44218 |
Weight Calculator
Water weighs 8.34 lbs/gallon. Multiply by specific gravity for other liquids. Empty weight: 37 lbs.
| Liquid | Specific Gravity | Full Weight | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.0 | 746 lbs | 0.4 tons |
| Diesel Fuel | 0.85 | 640 lbs | 0.3 tons |
| DEF (Urea Solution) | 1.09 | 810 lbs | 0.4 tons |
| UAN 28-0-0 Fertilizer | 1.28 | 944 lbs | 0.5 tons |
| 10-34-0 Fertilizer | 1.4 | 1,029 lbs | 0.5 tons |
| Bleach (12.5%) | 1.17 | 866 lbs | 0.4 tons |
| Sodium Hydroxide (50%) | 1.52 | 1,115 lbs | 0.6 tons |
| Ferric Chloride | 1.42 | 1,044 lbs | 0.5 tons |
Chemical Compatibility (79 Verified for Specific Gravity (SG) 1.5)
A = Excellent (recommended). B = Good (verify conditions). Norwesco does not publish a chemical compatibility chart due to the infinite range of chemical formulations. These ratings are general HDPE compatibility data. Always confirm the specific formulation, concentration, temperature, and exposure duration with your chemical supplier and Norwesco Customer Service ((866) 418-1777).
View All 79 Compatible Chemicals
| Chemical | Rating | Max Conc. | Max Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-34-0 Liquid Fertilizer | A | 100% | 120°F |
| 28-0-0 UAN Solution | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Acetic Acid | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Acrylamide | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Acrylic Acid | A | 100% | 100°F |
| Alum Solution (liquid) | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Aluminum Sulfate | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | A | 40% | 120°F |
| Ammonium Carbonate | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Ammonium Fluoride | A | 40% | 120°F |
| Ammonium Hydroxide | A | 28% | 120°F |
| Antifreeze | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Atrazine | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Beer | A | 100% | 100°F |
| Biodiesel | B | 100% | 100°F |
| Bleach (12.5%) | A | 15% | 120°F |
| Boric Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Brine | A | 26% | 120°F |
| Butyl Alcohol | B | 100% | 100°F |
| Butyric Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Calcium Acetate | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Carbonic Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Corn Syrup | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Deionized Water | A | 100% | 140°F |
| Diesel Exhaust Fluid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Diesel Fuel | B | 100% | 100°F |
| Diethylene Glycol | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide | B | 100% | 100°F |
| Ethanol | A | 96% | 120°F |
| Ethylene Glycol | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Ferric Chloride | A | 45% | 120°F |
| Fluosilicic Acid | A | 30% | 120°F |
| Formaldehyde | A | 37% | 120°F |
| Formic Acid | A | 90% | 120°F |
| Fruit Juice | A | 100% | 100°F |
| Glycerin | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Glycolic Acid | A | 70% | 120°F |
| Glyphosate | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Hydraulic Fluid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Hydrazine | A | 100% | 100°F |
| Hydrochloric Acid | A | 37% | 120°F |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | B | 50% | 100°F |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | B | 35% | 100°F |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Lactic Acid | A | 90% | 120°F |
| Linseed Oil | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Lithium Hydroxide | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Methanol | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Methyl Alcohol (50%) | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Milk | A | 100% | 100°F |
| Mineral Oil | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Molasses | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Motor Oil | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Muriatic Acid (commercial) | A | 31% | 120°F |
| Oleic Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Peracetic Acid | B | 10% | 100°F |
| Polyaluminum Chloride | A | 30% | 120°F |
| Propionic Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Propylene Glycol | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Sodium Aluminate | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Sodium Bisulfite | A | 40% | 120°F |
| Sodium Ferrocyanide | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Sodium Hydroxide (10%) | A | 10% | 140°F |
| Sodium Hydroxide (25%) | A | 25% | 140°F |
| Sodium Hypochlorite | A | 15% | 120°F |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (15%) | A | 15% | 120°F |
| Sodium Hypophosphite | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Sodium Metabisulfite | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Stearic Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Sugar Solution | A | 67% | 120°F |
| Sulfurous Acid | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Triethanolamine | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Urea | A | 50% | 120°F |
| Vegetable Oil | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Vinegar | A | 10% | 120°F |
| Waste Vegetable Oil | A | 100% | 120°F |
| Water | A | 100% | 140°F |
| Wine | A | 100% | 100°F |
Installation Guide
Foundation Requirements
At 1,100 lbs full, this tank can be placed on any flat, level surface. A poured concrete pad or compacted gravel bed is recommended but not structurally required. Ensure the surface is free of rocks, roots, and debris that could create point loads on the tank bottom.
Placement & Handling
This tank can be carried by 1-2 people when empty. Place on prepared surface and connect plumbing before filling. Never drag the tank — scoring the base creates weak points.
Plumbing Connection (Critical)
From the official Norwesco installation guide: "Rigid piping must not be connected directly to a tank — a flexible connection of some sort is required." Polyethylene tanks expand and contract with temperature changes and fill level. A flexible hose connection absorbs this movement and prevents stress fractures at the fitting boss. This single precaution significantly extends tank life.
- Outlet: Use reinforced flexible hose between the tank fitting and your valve or pipe. A cam-lock coupler provides quick disconnect.
- Overflow: Water tanks include an overflow fitting near the top. Pipe to a safe discharge point — never cap it.
- Venting: The standard vented lid provides atmospheric venting. If you modify or seal the lid, install a separate vent to prevent vacuum/pressure buildup.
- Fitting material: Standard: glass-filled polypropylene with EPDM gaskets. For chemical service: request Viton gaskets or stainless steel fittings from Norwesco ((866) 418-1777).
Secondary Containment
Most jurisdictions require secondary containment for chemical storage tanks. Minimum containment volume is typically 110% of the largest tank capacity within the containment area. Norwesco manufactures dedicated containment basins that can be paired with vertical and cone bottom tanks. Options include open-top containment basins and enclosed chemical injection systems. Consult your local environmental regulatory agency for specific containment requirements.
Material Science & Construction
Resin and Material
Manufactured from virgin linear high-density polyethylene (HDPE) specifically formulated for rotational molding. The resin includes compounded UV stabilizers for long-term outdoor durability, antioxidants for processing stability, and meets FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 requirements for food-contact applications where applicable. This is purpose-engineered tank resin — not commodity plastic.
| Material | Virgin linear HDPE (high-density polyethylene) |
| Construction | Seamless one-piece rotational molding |
| UV Protection | Long-term UV stabilizer compounded into resin |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent — flexible HDPE absorbs impact without cracking |
| Temperature Range | -40°F to 120°F (-40°C to 48°C) continuous service |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent resistance to most acids, bases, and agricultural chemicals |
Rotational Molding Process
Every Norwesco tank is formed as a single piece through rotational molding — the resin is loaded into a heated mold that rotates biaxially, distributing molten plastic uniformly across all surfaces. The result is a seamless tank wall with no welds, joints, or stress concentrations. This process achieves the highest strength-to-weight ratio in the tank industry. Because there are no seams, there are no inherent weak points where leaks or cracks can initiate.
UV-15 Stabilization
The UV-15 stabilizer is compounded directly into the polyethylene resin during manufacturing — it is part of the molecular structure, not a surface coating that wears off. This provides best-in-class UV degradation resistance for the entire service life of the tank. Tanks made from unstabilized resin (common in imported or recycled-material tanks) begin visibly degrading within 2-3 years of outdoor exposure.
FDA Compliance
Norwesco's resin (Norwesco-specified HDPE resin) is certified to comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 (Olefin polymers), paragraph (c)3.1a. Per the official regulatory declaration dated June 2019:
- May be used as articles intended for use in contact with food
- Food contact under Conditions of Use D through G (Table 2 of 21 CFR 176.170(c))
- Temperatures not in excess of 150°F for food contact applications
- Finished article must be at least 2 US gallons for fatty food contact
- Produced under good manufacturing practice per 21 CFR § 174.5(a)
Shipping & Manufacturing
Manufactured by Norwesco in the USA. Ships from the nearest plant.
Norwesco operates 15 US plants plus 2 in Canada �� this decentralized structure means lower freight cost and faster delivery than competitors with centralized warehouses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warranty?
Do I need a stand?
What chemicals can I store?
How do I plumb this tank?
Temperature limits?
Maintenance requirements?
How do I verify my warranty?
Questions about the 85 Gallon Full Drain Cone Bottom Inductor Tank? (866) 418-1777
3 Year Warranty