2000 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank - Black (90" x 84"): Complete Buyer's Guide
The 2,000-gallon black water tank (Norwesco, 90" x 84") is a substantial potable reserve in a balanced seven-and-a-half-foot package. The opaque black wall blocks the light that feeds algae in stored water, while the FDA-compliant resin keeps the supply safe to drink — a reliable two-thousand-gallon backbone for a home, farm, or hauled-water setup.
Technical Drawing
Official Norwesco technical drawing — 2000 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank - Black (90" x 84")
Specifications at a Glance
Every figure below is pulled straight from the live product record for this exact tank — the same data on the product page, so what you read here and what you buy never disagree.
Standards & Materials
- ASTM D1998 — Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks. Governs wall-thickness and hydrostatic design for vertical rotomolded poly tanks of this class.
- FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 — Olefin polymers. The food-contact regulation the FDA-grade resin in this tank is compounded to meet.
- Specific gravity rating 1.1 — the tank is engineered for liquids up to 1.1× the density of water (water is about 8.34 lb/gal). Confirm your fluid’s SG before storage.
Installation and Setup Guide
Two thousand gallons of water on a stable seven-and-a-half-foot base is a manageable large install, but the full load is heavy enough that a proper, level foundation is the difference between a tank that lasts and one that fights stress from the start.
Site Preparation
Set the tank on a flat, level base under the full 84-inch footprint — a deep compacted-gravel pad or, better for a full two-thousand-gallon load, a concrete slab, level within an inch across the diameter. Choose a well-drained site so water never pools against the base. The foundation must be continuous and non-settling under the whole footprint; even with a wide base, a void or high spot becomes a stress point over many fill cycles. Clear rock and debris first.
Placement and Connections
Connect your fill line and your distribution line, keeping the outlet run short for good flow to a pump or gravity feed. Put a flexible coupling in the first foot off each fitting — the tank expands and contracts with temperature, and rigid pipe will eventually crack or loosen a connection. The lid sits about seven feet up, reachable with a step ladder. Leave clearance around the tank to walk it for inspection.
Venting
A water tank must breathe. Draw water faster than air can enter and the wall pulls inward; fill it fast against a sealed lid and the dome pressurizes. Fit a screened vent in the lid sized to your fastest fill or draw rate. The screen also keeps insects, debris, and small animals out of the potable supply — essential on a drinking-water tank.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
Maintaining a two-thousand-gallon water reserve pairs structural checks with potable-water hygiene. The black wall keeps algae at bay; the rest is a simple schedule.
Quarterly Inspection Checklist
- Water clarity: Check through the lid for cloudiness, sediment, or growth. The opaque black tank blocks light, so any growth usually means a screen gap or seal failure is letting light or contaminants in — find the source.
- Foundation: Confirm the base is level and the tank hasn't shifted or settled at any edge; look for washout around the base.
- Fittings: Check the inlet and outlet for weeping; hand-tighten only.
- Vent screen: Verify the vent is open and the screen intact.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Sanitize the tank at least annually, more often if the water sits a long time between uses. Drain, scrub the interior through the lid, then disinfect the walls and fittings with a chlorine solution — about a quarter cup of unscented household bleach per 15 gallons of water — let it stand a couple of hours, drain completely, and flush with fresh water until no chlorine odor remains. This clears any biofilm and keeps the stored water safe to drink.
UV and Weather
Black polyethylene is among the most UV-durable colors, so this tank handles open-sun placement well. Inspect the sun-facing wall periodically for surface chalking. In hot climates the dark wall absorbs heat — a simple shade or north-side placement keeps the water cooler without giving up the algae control the black wall provides.
Alternatives and Comparisons
For two thousand gallons of water, weigh color and shape:
Black versus a lighter water tank: the opaque black wall controls algae and resists UV, making it the low-maintenance choice for outdoor potable storage. A translucent tank lets you see the level through the wall but admits algae-feeding light, meaning more frequent cleaning — usually the wrong trade for stored drinking water.
Vertical versus a low-profile water tank: this vertical drains completely under its own column and uses less floor. If a height limit applies — a low shed or carport — a low-profile water tank trades floor space for headroom while holding similar volume.
Other -Gallon Options
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the 2000 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank - Black (90" x 84") last?
Fifteen to twenty years is realistic with a level base and normal use. Black polyethylene is highly UV-durable and the seamless wall has no joints to fail, so for water storage the practical life is excellent. A level foundation and routine sanitizing keep it serving clean water across that span.
What chemicals can I store in this tank?
This is a potable water tank — FDA compliant for drinking water and food-grade liquids, rated to a 1.1 specific gravity for water and benign aqueous solutions up to about 9.2 pounds per gallon. It is not intended for aggressive chemicals, fuels, or solvents; for those, use a higher-specific-gravity tank verified for the chemistry. Keep this one dedicated to water and water-based use.
Does this tank come with a warranty?
Yes — Norwesco backs it with a 3-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship: factory cracks, pinholes, fitting flaws, and material failures. It excludes uneven or improper installation, freezing damage from leaving it full in hard freezes, and impact damage. Keep your receipt and a photo of the level install.
Can I install this tank underground?
No — this is an above-ground vertical and is not engineered to resist soil pressure; burying it would collapse the wall and void the warranty. For below-grade water storage, use a purpose-built underground cistern with a reinforced, ribbed wall designed for soil load.
Buying Considerations
Before ordering, measure for the seven-and-a-half-foot footprint plus clearance to reach the fittings and lid; provide a level, well-drained pad — gravel or concrete — rated for a full two-thousand-gallon load; and plan freeze protection if hard winters are a factor where you are, since a full tank left in a deep freeze can be damaged. This is a dependable mid-large residential and farm water reserve. It ships LTL on a pallet — request a liftgate if you're unloading without a dock or forklift.
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