2450 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank: Complete Buyer's Guide
The 2,450-gallon black water tank is a substantial potable reserve — 96 inches across and 86 inches tall, an eight-foot-wide cylinder holding over eleven tons of water full. The opaque black wall keeps algae-feeding light out of stored water, while the FDA-compliant resin keeps it drinkable.
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.
Product Overview
At twenty-four hundred fifty gallons, this tank suits a property that needs more buffer than a two-thousand-gallon reserve provides — longer outage coverage, a larger household, or a small irrigation or livestock draw. Its eight-foot diameter and seven-foot height give it a broad, stable footing while keeping installation practical for a yard pad.
Norwesco rotomolds it as one seamless piece of virgin linear polyethylene with FDA-compliant resin for potable and food-grade contact. The seamless wall has no joint to leak and no crevice to harbor biofilm — both important for a sizable drinking-water reserve. The wall is rated to a 1.1 specific gravity, covering water with margin.
Black is the workhorse color for stored water: completely opaque, it blocks the light algae needs to bloom, so the reserve stays clearer with less cleaning, and it's among the most UV-resistant polyethylene colors for long outdoor life. Empty weight is 340 pounds; filled with water it loads the pad with roughly 22,816 pounds, over eleven tons distributed across the 96-inch base. Maximum service temperature is 120°F.
Plumbing is ready out of the box: a 2-inch NPT outlet for strong flow and a 1.5-inch NPT inlet fitting included. The 16-inch lid serves fill, vent, and inspection. Norwesco's 3-year warranty applies, and the tank ships LTL freight — allow a couple of weeks, with liftgate and residential delivery available.
Technical Drawing
Official Norwesco technical drawing — 2450 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank
Key Features and Specifications
- 2,450-gallon capacity — sized for safe potable water storage
- Constructed from virgin linear polyethylene (HDPE) with 1.1 specific gravity rating — handles liquids up to 9.2 lbs/gal
- 86" tall x 96" diameter — compact vertical footprint
- 340 lbs empty, approximately 22,816 lbs when full at rated specific gravity
- 2" NPT outlet fitting — factory installed and leak-tested
- 1.5" NPT inlet fitting included
- 16" lid opening for fill, venting, and interior access
- FDA approved for potable water and food-grade liquid contact
- 3 Year Warranty from Norwesco against manufacturing defects
- UV-resistant black pigmentation provides maximum outdoor durability and inhibits algae growth in stored liquids
- Rated for continuous service up to 120 F / 48 C
- Seamless one-piece rotational molding — no seams, no welds, no leak points
- Manufactured by Norwesco — a leading name in rotomolded polyethylene tanks
- Install on a level, compacted surface. Ensure adequate clearance above for lid access and around the perimeter for plumbing connections and visual inspection
- Ships via LTL freight — allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Lift gate and residential delivery available at additional cost
Installation and Setup Guide
An eleven-ton full water tank on an eight-foot base is a stable, manageable large install — the broad footing keeps it planted, and the modest height keeps access easy. The pad does the heavy lifting, literally.
Site Preparation
Lay a flat, level base under the full 96-inch footprint — a deep compacted-gravel pad or, better for eleven tons, a concrete slab, level within an inch across the diameter. Pick a well-drained spot so water never pools at the base. The foundation must be continuous and non-settling under the entire eight-foot circle; a void or high spot becomes a stress concentration over time. Clear rock and debris first.
Placement and Connections
Connect the included 1.5-inch inlet to your fill source and the 2-inch outlet to your pump or gravity line, keeping the outlet run short for good flow. Use a flexible coupling at each fitting to absorb the tank's thermal expansion and contraction — rigid pipe eventually cracks or loosens. The lid is about seven feet up, reachable from a step ladder. Maintain clearance around the tank for inspection.
Venting
Fit a screened vent in the 16-inch lid sized to your fill and draw rate so the tank breathes — no vacuum on draw, no pressure on fill. The screen keeps insects, debris, and small animals out of the potable supply, which is essential on a drinking-water tank.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
An eleven-ton reserve warrants both structural inspection and potable-water hygiene. The black wall manages algae; the schedule manages everything else.
Quarterly Inspection Checklist
- Water clarity: Inspect through the 16-inch lid for cloudiness, sediment, or growth. Because the tank is opaque, any growth usually means light or contaminants are entering through a compromised screen or seal — find and fix the source.
- Base and settlement: Walk the 96-inch perimeter checking the broad base seats evenly with no low edge, gap, or washout.
- Fittings: Check the 2-inch outlet and 1.5-inch inlet for weeping; hand-tighten only.
- Vent screen: Confirm the vent is open and the screen intact.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Sanitize at least annually. Drain the tank, scrub the interior through the 16-inch lid, then disinfect the walls and fittings with a chlorine solution — about a quarter cup of unscented household bleach per 15 gallons used — let it dwell a couple of hours, drain, and flush with fresh water until no chlorine smell remains. This clears biofilm and keeps a large reserve safe to drink.
UV and Weather
Black polyethylene handles full sun well thanks to strong UV resistance. Inspect the sun-facing wall periodically for chalking. In hot climates the dark wall absorbs heat and a large volume warms slowly; partial shade keeps the water cooler if that matters, without sacrificing the algae control.
Alternatives and Comparisons
For twenty-four hundred fifty gallons of water, the real decisions are color and reserve size:
Black versus a lighter water tank: the opaque black wall controls algae and resists UV — the low-maintenance choice for outdoor potable storage. A translucent tank shows the level but lets in light that feeds algae, meaning more cleaning. For stored drinking water, opaque generally wins.
This versus stepping up to a 3,450: if your worst-case outage outruns twenty-four hundred fifty gallons, a larger tank adds buffer on a similar foundation philosophy. Size to the longest outage you realistically need to cover, with some margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the 2450 Gallon Plastic Water Storage Tank 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 a water tank of this size typically delivers excellent service life. A level foundation and routine sanitizing carry it to the upper end of the range.
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 for aggressive chemicals, fuels, or solvents; use a higher-specific-gravity tank verified for those. Keep this one for water and water-based use.
What kind of foundation does a 2450-gallon tank need?
Plan for roughly 22,816 pounds full across the 96-inch base. A deep compacted-gravel pad works; a concrete slab is better for eleven tons. The requirement is a flat, level (within about an inch), well-drained surface continuous under the whole base — uneven foundations cause most premature failures.
Does this tank come with a warranty?
Yes — Norwesco's 3-year warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. It excludes uneven or improper installation, freezing damage, 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 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.
Buying Considerations
Before ordering, measure for the eight-foot footprint plus clearance to reach fittings and lid; provide a level, well-drained pad — gravel or concrete — rated for a full eleven-ton load; and plan freeze protection if hard winters apply. The included 2-inch outlet and 1.5-inch inlet make it ready to plumb into a water system. It ships LTL on a pallet — allow a couple of weeks and request a liftgate if you lack a dock or forklift.
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