Calcium Nitrate Storage — Fertigation & Concrete Accelerator Tanks

Storing Calcium Nitrate? Start Here

Calcium nitrate is a versatile chemical used in both agriculture and construction. It's the key to preventing calcium deficiencies in crops and accelerating concrete set times in cold weather. If you're working with hydroponic systems or open-field fertigation, understanding the right way to store calcium nitrate is crucial. Let's dive into the essentials for safe and effective storage.

Calcium Nitrate

Tank Storage Properties & Compatibility

Standard Chemical Service

Molecular Formula: CaN₂O₆
IUPAC Name: calcium dinitrate
Molecular Weight: 164.09 g/mol
CAS Registry Number: 10124-37-5
PubChem CID: 24963
InChIKey: ZCCIPPOKBCJFDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Hazard Classification

Danger

GHS hazard statements

H272: May intensify fire; oxidizer
H290: May be corrosive to metals
H302: Harmful if swallowed
H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H315: Causes skin irritation
H318: Causes serious eye damage

HDPE Compatibility by Concentration

Conc.	70°F	140°F
50%	S	S

Physical Properties

Color/Form: White mass
Density: 2.50 g/cm³
Melting Point: 560 °C
Solubility: Solubility in water, g/100ml: 121.2
pH: 5% aq soln= 6.0

More identifiers

InChI: InChI=1S/Ca.2NO3/c;2*2-1(3)4/q+2;2*-1

Chemical identity verified against the PubChem record. Compatibility ratings sourced from Enduraplas and Snyder Industries published charts.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, you can store calcium nitrate in a polyethylene (HDPE) tank. Both saturated and 50% solutions are rated as satisfactory in HDPE at temperatures of 70°F and 140°F. It's a reliable choice for your storage needs.

Keep it separate from sulfates and phosphates

Calcium nitrate should never be mixed with sulfate or phosphate solutions in the same tank. Doing so can cause precipitation of insoluble compounds that clog systems. This is why a two-tank system is standard in greenhouse operations: one for calcium nitrate and compatible nutrients, and another for sulfates and phosphates.

The safety that actually matters

Ensure tanks are made of HDPE or XLPE with the correct specific gravity rating.
Use PVC or CPVC fittings, and avoid copper alloys.
EPDM gaskets are recommended; Viton is an alternative.
Regularly check for leaks and maintain secure seals to prevent exposure.

Common questions

Can I use a brass fitting with my tank?: No, avoid brass or bronze as calcium nitrate can attack copper alloys.
What is the best gasket material for calcium nitrate?: EPDM is recommended, but Viton can also be used if necessary.
Why do I need separate tanks for calcium nitrate and other fertilizers?: Mixing with sulfates or phosphates can cause clogs due to precipitation of insoluble compounds.

Calcium Nitrate storage tanks from OneSource

For calcium nitrate storage, specify HDLPE rated to specific gravity 1.9. Verified, compatibility-matched options:

Confirm chemical compatibility and a ZIP freight quote with our team at 866-418-1777.

Designing the storage system, not just picking a tank?

Vendor-neutral engineering guides from our custom fabrication team - material of construction, containment, and code, matched to your chemistry.

FRP vs Steel vs Polyethylene for Chemical Storage →Dual-Laminate FRP for Aggressive Chemistry →Secondary Containment & SPCC (40 CFR 112) →304 vs 316/316L Stainless Selection →Choosing the Right Piping Materials →

Explore: FRP & Fiberglass Tanks · Double Wall Tanks · Solvent Recovery · Custom Fabrication Hub

Sources & References

All compatibility ratings, hazard classifications, and chemical identifiers on this page are sourced from authoritative third-party publications. Verify against the original references before final specification.

PubChem Compound Database — entry for Calcium Nitrate (CID 24963, CAS 10124-37-5). pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Library of Medicine / NCBI. Canonical chemical-identity reference.
Snyder Industries Chemical Resistance Recommendations — system-of-construction guidance for polyethylene chemical-storage tanks at industrial ASTM 1.9 SG design rating. SNY-3041 Chemical Resistance Chart. Snyder Industries, current edition. Resin + fitting + gasket + bolt MOC matrix.
Equistar Technical Tip — Chemical Resistance of Polyethylene — LDPE / MDPE / HDPE rating chart by concentration and temperature, distributed by Enduraplas. enduraplas.com (PDF). Equistar polyethylene resin chemical-resistance data, distributed via Enduraplas.
NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response. nfpa.org. NFPA 704 'fire diamond' health/flammability/instability/special-hazard rating system (0–4 scale).
UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), current revision. unece.org/transport/ghs. GHS pictograms, signal words, and H-statement codes referenced in this guide.
ASTM D1998 — Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks, current edition. astm.org. Cited as the design-specific-gravity standard (typically 1.9 SG) for industrial chemical-service polyethylene tanks.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards — occupational exposure limits, PPE, and IDLH data for Calcium Nitrate. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.