The Chem-Tainer 161 Gallon PE Rectangular Open Top Tank is a polyethylene rectangular open-top vessel for batch mixing, parts washing, secondary containment, dip work, and general above-ground water storage where you need an open working surface instead of a sealed dome. At 161 gallons with an open top you can reach into, it's a practical rectangular open tank for shops and yards that mix, soak, or stage water by hand.
Will it work for your job?
This is a 161-gallon open top tank molded from polyethylene, so it handles ambient-temperature water and water-based fluids without the corrosion problems steel brings. The open top makes it easy to add product, scoop, stir, or drop in a pump or float without fighting a small fill port - which is exactly why people reach for an open tank or rectangular tank when a closed vertical won't do. Filled to the brim with water, plan for roughly 1,343 lb of static load, so the pad or platform underneath has to carry that weight without flexing. One important note: this open top tank ships with no pre-installed fittings, bulkheads, or gaskets - any drain, bulkhead, or outlet is a field addition you spec and seal yourself. To confirm this size fits your duty cycle and refill rhythm, run the numbers through our Tank Sizing Calculator or read the Tank Sizing Guide.
Specs and what to check
Capacity is 161 gallons, the material is polyethylene, and full water weight is about 1,343 lb. Weight is the one hard number to design around here, so confirm the tank's actual length, width, height, and top opening against your space, your pump, and any drain you intend to add before you order. Because this is an open top tank, it is not a pressure or fully sealed vessel - it is meant for atmospheric, ambient-temperature service. Treat it as a water and water-based-liquid tank rated for ambient-temperature duty: this listing carries no specific-gravity rating and no certification for potable, food-grade, NSF, or chemical service, so a heavier-than-water or chemical fluid requires confirming a tank rated for it rather than assuming this one qualifies.
Common mistake to avoid
The biggest error with an open rectangular tank is loading it on an uneven or undersized base. At ~1,343 lb full, an open top tank wants continuous, level support under the entire footprint - a partial or rocking base concentrates stress at the corners and can deform the wall over time. If this is an outdoor or above-ground install, size the slab correctly: our guide on concrete pad sizing for above-ground polyethylene tanks and, for cold-climate or fire-reserve use, fire-water reservoir design and freeze protection walk through the support and weather details. If you're capturing and reusing water on site, the industrial water reuse tank topology guide covers how an open staging tank fits a grey-water or rainwater train.
This tank ships LTL freight, quoted live to your ZIP from the nearest stocking plant. Because we stock it in both Hummelstown, PA and West Babylon, NY, your quote routes from whichever plant is closer to you, which keeps the LTL cost down. Run your ZIP through the Freight Cost Estimator for an exact number, or call us at 866-418-1777 to confirm fit, lead time, and delivery before you buy.
