A 5,500-gallon cone-bottom tank for large-scale mixing and batch processing — the 30° cone drives nearly thirty-five tons of full contents to a 3-inch apex outlet with no residual heel. Standing 148 inches on its required heavy-duty stand, this Norwesco vessel is industrial process equipment. Rated to 1.5 specific gravity, its wall handles chemicals up to 12.5 pounds per gallon.

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.

Manufacturer	Norwesco
Manufacturer Part #	N-40549
Nominal Capacity	5500 Gallons
Footprint (Diameter)	119"
Overall Height	148"
Empty Weight	1185 lb
Material	Polyethylene (HDPE)
Color	Natural White
Rated Specific Gravity	1.5
Certifications	FDA Approved
Warranty	3 Year
Shipping	OVS

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 5500 Gallon 30 Degree Cone Bottom Tank brings complete drainage to genuinely large-volume processing. Where a flat-bottom tank this size would strand hundreds of pounds of product above its outlet, the 30-degree cone funnels the entire 5,500 gallons — and any settled solids — to a single 3-inch apex outlet. For large blending, dosing, and batch operations, that total recovery is the point.

At this scale the stand becomes serious structural steel. The tank cannot stand on its apex; it rides in a heavy-duty stand that carries the enormous load through the support ring, and that stand and its footings must be engineered for the job. Mounted, the tank reaches 148 inches, elevating the outlet for gravity discharge into downstream equipment. The 3-inch apex outlet is sized to move large volumes; translucent white walls allow level and mix observation across the big shell.

The tank shell alone is 1,185 pounds empty. Charged with a 1.5-SG liquid the contents and tank reach about 69,990 pounds — nearly thirty-five tons carried entirely through the stand into engineered footings. The 16-inch lid handles filling, agitation, and interior access. No inlet ships from the factory, and a compatible heavy stand is required.

Even at this size the tank is molded seamlessly, with UV stabilizer in the resin and Norwesco's 3-year defect warranty. Its size means dedicated freight and pre-arranged access, both coordinated with you.

Technical Drawing

Official Norwesco technical drawing — 5500 Gallon 30 Degree Cone Bottom Tank

Key Features and Specifications

5,500-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
148" tall x 119" diameter — compact vertical footprint
1185 lbs empty, approximately 69,990 lbs when full at rated specific gravity
3" NPT outlet fitting — factory installed and leak-tested
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
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 dedicated freight carrier due to oversized dimensions — contact us for delivery timeline and site access requirements

Installation and Setup Guide

A 5,500-gallon cone tank is industrial process equipment, and the stand is the heart of the installation. Nearly thirty-five tons riding through a steel structure into the ground means the stand, its anchorage, and its footings must be engineered — there is no casual install at this scale.

Site Preparation

Build engineered footings for the stand, not a slab under the tank. A structural engineer should design the footings and the stand anchorage for the full thirty-five-ton load and your soil. Set the stand dead-level so the cone hangs true and drains evenly; at this size, an out-of-level stand both strands product and loads the support ring unevenly. Coordinate footings, stand erection, tank setting, and access in one plan.

Placement and Connections

Seat the tank fully into the engineered stand's support ring and confirm the apex hangs clear before any liquid enters. Plumb the 3-inch apex outlet with a full-port valve so large-volume discharge and any solids clear without bridging, using schedule-80 PVC or stainless and a flex section before rigid pipe. Build safe access to both the apex valve and the elevated lid.

Venting

Draining 5,500 gallons through a 3-inch line moves enormous air volume, so generous venting is critical to avoid creasing the wall under vacuum. Provide a large lid vent sized to your maximum drain rate, and for any off-gassing chemical use a pressure-vacuum relief vent rated for the product.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

A process tank of this value justifies disciplined inspection, and the structural stand is the first priority every time.

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Quarterly Inspection Checklist

Engineered stand: Inspect all structural members, welds, bolts, anchorage, and footings for corrosion, cracking, or movement under the thirty-five-ton load.
Cone and ring: Confirm even seating and check for stress whitening where the cone meets the support shoulder.
Apex outlet: Verify the 3-inch valve seals and drains freely with no bridged solids above it.
Vent: Confirm the large vent is fully clear; a fast drain on a tank this size pulls a strong vacuum.

Cleaning

The cone makes cleanup efficient even at this scale: open the 3-inch apex valve and the tank self-drains almost completely. Rinse from the lid with a neutralizing solution, let it clear through the cone, and repeat between incompatible products. Plan for handling the large rinse volume per the product's safety data sheet.

UV and Weather Protection

A tall, elevated tank presents a large south wall; check it annually for chalking. Keep the steel stand's coating intact against corrosion, since the structure carries the entire load, and consider shade for the shell in severe-sun regions.

Alternatives and Comparisons

At 5,500 gallons the cone-versus-flat decision is decisive: only a cone delivers complete drainage and solids removal at this volume, which a flat-bottom tank cannot. The trade is a serious engineered stand and elevated plumbing. Within cone tanks, this 30-degree slope drives thicker product well; stepping up, a 7,500-gallon cone serves still-larger batches. If your need is bulk storage rather than full-drain processing, a flat-bottom 5,000- or 6,000-gallon vertical is the simpler, cheaper choice that accepts a residual heel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the 5500 Gallon 30 Degree Cone Bottom Tank last?

Fifteen to twenty years is realistic when the tank stays within its 1.5 specific-gravity rating, rides on a sound engineered stand, and holds compatible chemistry. The seamless mold and in-resin UV protection make the shell durable; at this scale the structural stand is integral to the tank's life, so keep it inspected. Overloading, a vacuum from inadequate venting, and chemical attack are the other early-failure causes.

What chemicals can I store in this tank?

At 1.5 SG it suits most fertilizers, ag chemicals, and many acids and bases up to 12.5 pounds per gallon, and the steep cone makes it well suited to products that settle or need full recovery in large batches. Polyethylene resists those reliably, but reacts poorly to strong oxidizers and many solvents, and excludes flammable fuels. Verify the product against a poly compatibility chart and its specific gravity before charging the tank.

What kind of foundation does a 5500-gallon tank need?

The load rides through the stand, so the foundation is engineered footings and anchorage for the stand — not a slab under the tank. A full load is about 69,990 pounds, so a structural engineer must design the footings for that load and your soil, set dead-level so the cone drains true.

Does this tank come with a warranty?

Yes — three years of Norwesco coverage on the tank for material and workmanship faults, from molding flaws to fitting defects. Not covered: loads over 1.5 SG, chemical attack, resting the cone on its tip, a bad stand or footing, and impact. Keep your invoice and installation records for any claim.

Can I install this tank underground?

No. This is an above-ground, stand-mounted process cone tank designed for gravity drainage above grade; its geometry cannot survive burial. For below-grade storage, use purpose-built underground vessels engineered for soil loads.

Buying Considerations

Three things to plan before ordering this large cone tank. First, the engineered stand and footings — the tank cannot stand alone, so have a structural professional design the stand anchorage and footings for thirty-five tons. Second, elevated plumbing and access — the 3-inch apex valve and the lid at 148 inches both need safe, planned access. Third, the liquid and freight — stay at or under 1.5 specific gravity, and expect dedicated freight. Call us early to match the stand and coordinate delivery.