500 Gallon 45 Degree Cone Bottom Tank: Complete Buyer's Guide
A 500-gallon 45-degree cone-bottom tank from Norwesco with the steepest drainage angle for heavy slurries and viscous mixes, in 1.5-specific-gravity polyethylene.
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 1.5 — the tank is engineered for liquids up to 1.5× the density of water (water is about 8.34 lb/gal). Confirm your fluid’s SG before storage.
Product Overview
The 500-gallon 45-degree cone-bottom tank is built for the toughest drainage job — the steep 45-degree cone sheds heavy slurries, settling solids, and viscous mixes that a shallower cone would let bridge and cling. That aggressive angle is the reason to choose this tank: when complete, clean discharge of a thick batch matters more than minimizing height. It stands 82 inches tall on a 52-inch diameter, and the shell weighs 125 pounds.
The one-piece seamless polyethylene shell is rated to 1.5 specific gravity, handling dense liquids as heavy as 12.5 pounds per gallon. The translucent white wall lets you gauge the level from outside and reflects sunlight to moderate the contents, in FDA-compliant food-grade resin.
The steep cone sits on a stand that carries the full load — about 6,380 pounds at the rated gravity — through its flange and legs, never the apex. The 2-inch center outlet is factory-fitted and leak-tested for clean draw, and the larger 12-inch lid (sized up from the 8-inch lid on smaller cones) eases interior access. Norwesco's 3-year warranty applies.
Technical Drawing
Official Norwesco technical drawing — 500 Gallon 45 Degree Cone Bottom Tank
Key Features and Specifications
- 500-gallon capacity — sized for full-drain mixing and batch processing
- Constructed from virgin linear polyethylene (HDPE) with 1.5 specific gravity rating — handles liquids up to 12.5 lbs/gal
- 82" tall x 52" diameter — compact vertical footprint
- 125 lbs empty, approximately 6,380 lbs when full at rated specific gravity
- 2" NPT outlet fitting — factory installed and leak-tested
- 12" 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
- Translucent white walls allow visual level monitoring without opening the tank and reflect sunlight to keep contents cooler
- 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
- Must be installed on the manufacturer-supplied or compatible stand rated for the full loaded weight. Never rest a cone bottom tank directly on its apex
- Ships via LTL freight on a pallet — residential delivery with lift gate available
Installation and Setup Guide
The 45-degree cone's steep angle means a taller stand and a higher discharge point, which is the trade for draining heavy mixes. The stand carries the load; the apex never does.
Site Preparation and the Stand
Mount the tank on a compatible stand rated for the full load, set on a four-inch compacted gravel pad or a concrete slab finished flat so all legs share the weight. The steep cone sits high, so a stable, level stand is essential to keep the assembly from rocking. Never rest the cone tip on the ground, and add containment where the chemistry warrants it.
Placement and Connections
The tall stand leaves ample room for a full-port valve and drain line beneath the steep cone — an advantage when discharging viscous batches. Plumb the 2-inch center outlet down through a short chemical-rated flexible connection, and choose a valve large enough not to choke a thick mix. Match all seals to the chemistry.
Venting
Add a lid vent so the tank breathes on fill and drain, plus a chemistry-rated relief vent for off-gassing contents.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
The steep cone earns its keep at cleanout, but the stand and seals still need the usual quarterly attention.
Quarterly Inspection Checklist
- Stand: confirm the tall stand is sound, level, and bearing the load evenly — a higher center of gravity makes a stable stand especially important.
- Cone and shell: inspect the 45-degree cone and the cone-to-sidewall transition for stress whitening or bulging.
- Outlet and seals: check the 2-inch valve and gaskets for chemical attack and free operation, and clear any clinging residue from viscous batches.
- Vent: verify the lid vent is clear.
Cleaning and Chemical Changeover
The steep 45-degree cone is the best drainer in the lineup — it sheds even thick mixes for a clean changeover with minimal residue. Follow the manufacturer's decontamination protocol, collect the rinsate for disposal, and verify the incoming chemical against the resin and seals before refilling.
UV and Weather Protection
Light reaches through the white wall, so shield light-sensitive or algae-prone contents from strong sun and look it over each year.
Alternatives and Comparisons
The 45-degree cone is the angle to pick when your contents are thick — heavy slurries, settling solids, viscous mixes — and the steep slope earns its extra height by draining what a shallower cone would not. For free-flowing liquids, a 15- or 30-degree cone of similar volume drains fine at lower height. If you do not need complete drainage, a flat-bottom 500-class vertical stores the volume without a stand.
Other 500-Gallon Options
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the 500 Gallon 45 Degree Cone Bottom Tank last?
On compatible chemistry, a stable level stand, and service inside the 1.5 SG and 120 F ratings, plan on 15 to 20 years. The stand's stability matters especially on a tall steep cone — keep it sound and the seamless shell reaches the long end of that range.
What chemicals can I store in this tank?
Rated to 1.5 specific gravity, it handles agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, heavy slurries, and industrial solutions within that density, with FDA-compliant resin for food-grade liquids. Not for fuels, solvents, or flammables. Cross-reference the chemical and the seals on a compatibility chart before filling.
What kind of foundation does a 500-gallon tank need?
The steep cone has no flat base, so the foundation supports a stand rated for the full 6,380-pound load, carrying the tank through its flange and legs and never the apex. Set the stand on a four-inch compacted gravel pad or a concrete slab finished flat so all legs share the weight; the taller, higher-center-of-gravity assembly makes a stable, level stand especially important. Never rest the cone tip on the ground.
Does this tank come with a warranty?
Three years of Norwesco coverage applies to molding voids, pinholes, and defective factory fittings. Overloading, an inadequate stand, chemical attack, and impact fall outside coverage. Keep your receipt for any claim.
Can I install this tank underground?
No. A cone tank stands above grade on its support and is never put underground. Use a tank engineered for underground service if you store below grade.
Buying Considerations
Confirm a compatible stand suited to the steep cone's height, set level on a flat pad; a chemical at or under 1.5 SG compatible with the polyethylene and seals; and spill control where warranted. This tank travels LTL on a pallet; residential lift-gate service can be added.
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