The Chem-Tainer 6 Gallon PE Rectangular Open Top Tank is a small, open-top polyethylene rectangular tank built for hand-scale mixing, parts soaking, batch staging, and point-of-use water holding where a lidded vertical tank would be overkill. At 6 gallons of capacity in a rectangular open top format, it sits on a bench, a cart, or a shelf and stays easy to fill, dip into, and clean out by hand. If you have searched for an open top tank, an open tank, or a rectangular open top tank in this size class, this is the configuration that fits.
Will it work for your job?
This is a polyethylene rectangular open top tank rated at 6 gallons for water service at a specific gravity of about 1.0. Full of water it carries roughly 50 lb, so a standard bench, table, or shelf supports it without special structure, and one person can position an empty unit. The open top means there is no lid to remove for access, which is what makes it practical for stirring batches, rinsing parts, or scooping product directly. One thing to confirm up front: it ships as an open vessel with no fittings, bulkheads, or gaskets included, so if you need a drain outlet you will plumb that yourself. For sizing a larger reservoir or planning a multi-tank train, the Tank Sizing Calculator and the Tank Sizing Guide walk you through the volume-to-footprint math. See the technical drawing on this page for the rectangular footprint and overall dimensions before you finalize your bench or shelf layout.
Freight and lead time
This tank ships LTL freight from the Chem-Tainer plant in Delano, Minnesota, with the freight cost quoted live to your ZIP code. A single 6-gallon open top unit is light and compact, but it still moves on the LTL network rather than parcel, and LTL carriers apply destination-based rates and shipment minimums. That means freight on one small tank can look high relative to the tank itself, while combining several units on the same shipment usually lowers the per-tank cost. Run your delivery ZIP through the Freight Cost Estimator for a current number, or call 866-418-1777 and we will quote it and check whether grouping units brings the per-tank freight down.
The mistake to avoid
The thing buyers get wrong with an open top tank this size is treating it as a sealed storage vessel. It is open by design, so it does not contain pressure, vapor, or splashing during transport, and it is not a freeze-protected or covered reservoir. It is also rated for water-density service at roughly 1.0 specific gravity, so do not push it into heavier or chemical duty it was not built for. Plan for an open surface: keep it on a stable, level base, account for evaporation on long holds, and cover or relocate it if you need to keep debris out.
Ready to order or need freight to your ZIP? Use the Freight Cost Estimator for a live LTL quote from Delano, MN, or call our team at 866-418-1777. If you are still narrowing down the right capacity, the Tank Sizing Calculator will help you confirm this 6-gallon size fits your batch before you buy.
