The Chem-Tainer 45 Gallon Vertical Liquid Storage Tank (SKU TC1851IA) is a compact, free-standing polyethylene tank built for water and light liquid storage where floor space is at a premium. At 18 inches square and 51 inches tall, it holds 45 gallons in a footprint smaller than two square feet, so it fits in a corner, a utility room, a trailer, or alongside equipment without sprawling. The natural white polyethylene body lets you read the liquid level at a glance, and the tall vertical profile keeps the load over a small, easy-to-secure base. If you are shopping for a 45 gallon vertical tank for batch water, rinse water, or staged storage, this is the small-footprint vertical storage tank that fits a tight room.
Will it work for your application?
This is a 45 gallon vertical storage tank molded from polyethylene, and it carries Chem-Tainer's 1.9 specific gravity rating - the heavy-wall version of this mold, not the standard wall. That 1.9 rating means the wall is built to hold liquids up to 1.9 times the weight of water, so if your contents run denser than plain water you are already holding the upgraded tank rather than needing to step up to a thicker model. Empty, it stores water, rinse water, batch liquids, and similar contents without trouble. Dimensions are 18 in wide by 18 in long by 51 in tall - confirm the height clears your doorway and ceiling before you order, since the tall, narrow shape is the trade-off for the small footprint. For matching capacity to your full draw-down and refill need, the Tank Sizing Calculator and Tank Sizing Guide walk you through it. If this tank is headed into a rainwater, grey-water, or reuse train, our guide on industrial water reuse tank topology covers where small staging tanks fit in a quality-banded system.
Weight, footprint, and the pad underneath it
Plan the stand or pad around full weight, not empty weight. Filled with water this tank carries about 375 lb, and at its maximum rated content density it can reach roughly 713 lb resting on an 18 x 18 inch footprint - that 713 lb is 1.9 times the water weight, which is exactly the wall's design ceiling, not a chemical clearance. That is a meaningful point load on a small area, so set it on a flat, fully supporting surface: a level concrete pad or a continuously supported platform, never on uneven blocking that bridges the base. Our guide on concrete pad sizing for above-ground polyethylene tanks covers the framework for getting that base right. Because the tank is tall relative to its width, also secure or strap it against tipping in any setting that sees movement, wind, or seismic activity.
The mistake to avoid
The most common error on a tank like this is reading the 1.9 specific gravity rating as a green light for any heavy or aggressive liquid. The 1.9 rating describes the density the wall is built to hold - it is not a chemical-compatibility clearance. Before putting anything other than water or a known-compatible liquid in this tank, confirm the contents against the manufacturer's chemical-resistance chart for the resin, at your actual concentration and temperature. A second point worth checking before you order: fitting and outlet configuration is not specified for this listing, so if you are planning a plumbed connection, call to confirm the available outlet and bulkhead options for this tank before you buy. The last mistake is under-building the support - this is a small tank by volume but a real load by weight, and the narrow base concentrates it.
This tank ships LTL freight from the nearest Chem-Tainer plant - Bensenville, IL or Hanford, CA - with the rate quoted live to your ZIP code. Get a number in seconds with the Freight Cost Estimator, or call 866-418-1777 to talk through sizing, fittings, support, and delivery before you buy.
