55 Gallon Vertical Liquid Storage Tank: Complete Buyer's Guide
A 55-gallon vertical liquid tank from Norwesco for point-of-use chemical dosing, a compact 18-inch shell in 1.5-specific-gravity polyethylene with a metered-draw outlet.
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 55-gallon vertical liquid tank is the smallest standing chemical reservoir Norwesco makes in this line — a true point-of-use vessel for a single metering pump, a small mixing station, or a tidy day-supply of concentrate beside the equipment that draws it. It stands 44 inches tall on an 18-inch diameter, so it sits on a shelf-edge or a corner of a skid, and at 35 pounds empty it is a one-hand carry.
Despite its size it is the same rugged build as the bulk tanks: one seamless rotomolding of virgin linear polyethylene rated to 1.5 specific gravity, handling dense chemistry up to 12.5 pounds per gallon. The translucent white wall shows the level at a glance, and the resin is FDA-compliant for food-grade liquids.
Full at the rated gravity it weighs about 723 pounds, so a sound shelf or floor carries it easily. The outlet is a 0.75-inch fitting sized for metered dosing rather than bulk transfer, factory-fitted and leak-tested, and the 5.75-inch lid opens the top for fill and a quick look inside. Norwesco's 3-year warranty applies.
Technical Drawing
Official Norwesco technical drawing — 55 Gallon Vertical Liquid Storage Tank
Key Features and Specifications
- 55-gallon capacity — sized for agricultural chemical and fertilizer storage
- Constructed from virgin linear polyethylene (HDPE) with 1.5 specific gravity rating — handles liquids up to 12.5 lbs/gal
- 44" tall x 18" diameter — compact vertical footprint
- 35 lbs empty, approximately 723 lbs when full at rated specific gravity
- 0.75" NPT outlet fitting — factory installed and leak-tested
- 5.75" 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
- Place on a firm, level surface free of rocks or sharp objects that could damage the tank bottom. Ensure adequate ventilation if stored chemicals produce vapors
- Ships via UPS or FedEx ground — typically arrives within 5-7 business days
Installation and Setup Guide
The 55 is the easiest chemical tank to place — it goes almost anywhere a small footprint and a flat surface meet — but its job as a dosing tank means the plumbing and the spill control deserve the real attention.
Site Preparation
Stand the tank on any firm, level surface that supports the full 18-inch base — a sealed bench, a concrete floor, a rated stand. At under three-quarters of a ton full it asks nothing structural; what matters is that it sits flat and that the spot can catch a drip if the contents are a concentrate. A small drip tray under the tank is sensible.
Placement and Connections
A few inches of clearance is enough on a tank this size, though leave room to lift the lid. Plumb the 0.75-inch outlet straight to your metering pump with chemical-rated flexible tubing, and choose tubing, gaskets, and any check valve to match the specific chemistry — on a small dosing line the seals are in constant contact.
Venting
Even a 55-gallon tank needs to breathe so the slim wall does not pull in as you draw it down. If the chemical gives off vapor, position the tank for good ventilation and fit a vent suited to the chemistry.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
On a small dosing tank, watch the seals and the chemistry more than the all-but-indestructible shell.
Quarterly Inspection Checklist
- Shell: a quick look through the translucent wall catches any distortion or stress whitening immediately.
- Seals and outlet: inspect the 0.75-inch fitting, tubing, and check valve for swelling, hardening, or discoloration that signals chemical attack.
- Spill control: confirm the drip tray or sealed surface beneath the tank is clean and intact.
- Vent: verify the lid vent is clear.
Cleaning and Chemical Changeover
Flush the tank per the product manufacturer's instructions before switching chemicals, and capture the rinsate for proper disposal. Confirm the new chemical is compatible with the polyethylene and the tubing and seals before refilling. A small dosing tank often sees frequent changeovers, so a brief log prevents dangerous cross-contamination.
UV and Weather Protection
The white wall passes some light, so keep a light-sensitive concentrate shaded or indoors. For most bench installations this is a non-issue.
Alternatives and Comparisons
The 55-gallon vertical is a dosing-and-bench size. If your process needs the small tank to empty completely and self-rinse between batches, a small cone-bottom drains through its apex on a stand. For more day-supply in a similar slim format, the 105- and 150-gallon verticals are the next steps up.
Other 55-Gallon Options
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the 55 Gallon Vertical Liquid Storage Tank last?
Within its 1.5 SG and 120 F ratings and with compatible chemistry, this small tank will serve well past 15 years — there is essentially nothing on a seamless molded shell to wear out. Seal compatibility and sun exposure are the real life-limiters.
What chemicals can I store in this tank?
Rated to 1.5 specific gravity, it carries ag chemicals, fertilizers, and industrial solutions within that band, in FDA food-grade resin. Not for fuels, solvents, or flammables. Verify your specific chemical and your tubing and seals against a compatibility chart before filling.
Does this tank come with a warranty?
Norwesco's three-year warranty answers for any factory defect — a molding void, a pinhole, a bad fitting. Excluded are misuse, incompatible chemistry, and impact. Keep your receipt for any claim.
Can I install this tank underground?
No. It is an above-ground tank, and its walls are not designed for the load of surrounding soil. Choose an underground-rated tank if it must be buried.
Buying Considerations
Confirm a flat, firm surface for the small base, a chemical at or under 1.5 SG that is compatible with the polyethylene and your tubing and seals, and a drip tray or sealed spot for spill control. Freight is the easy part — this tank ships UPS or FedEx ground and typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days.
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