IBC dimensions, container sizes and volume

These figures come from the SCHÜTZ ECOBULK MX data sheet. They are examples only, not the size of every IBC or of Crex stock. Measurements are outside length by width by height, including the base.

IBC volume is how much liquid it is rated to hold. Multiplying the outside measurements gives the space the whole unit takes up, including the cage and base.

For the 1000 litre example, the outside box is 1.2 by 1.0 by 1.16 metres, or 1.392 cubic metres. That is floor and height space, not 1392 litres of capacity.

Leave extra room for the valve, a hose, checking for leaks and moving the unit. A tank that fits a marked space exactly is no use if its valve faces a wall.

Empty weight is also called tare. Full weight adds the contents and any fittings. Do not assume every 1000 litre IBC weighs the same empty.

Water weighs about one kilogram per litre. So 1000 litres of water in a 59 kg container weighs about 1059 kg. This is a rough guide, not permission to fill or lift a particular used unit.

Other liquids weigh more or less than water. When moving a full unit, check the vehicle's payload and tie-down needs, not just whether the footprint fits.

The MX data sheet lists DN 50 and DN 80 valve options. DN is a nominal size. It does not tell you the exact thread, adaptor or seal on a given unit.

Before buying a hose fitting, photograph the valve, any moulded markings and the thread. Measure it the way the fitting supplier asks. A part sold "for IBCs" may still not fit yours.

Make sure the valve can be reached without moving a full tank. Do not force a mismatched adaptor onto an old valve, as a damaged thread or seal will leak.

"Four-way entry" on a new model does not mean every used base is sound, or that every forklift can lift the load. Check the actual base, the full weight and your forklift's limits.

Use a suitable forklift and a trained driver. Never lift by the cage. When booking a collection, tell us whether a forklift and driver will be on site, and describe the floor, doorways and distance to the truck.

Makers set stacking limits that depend on the model, contents, support and condition. A catalogue photo of new tanks stacked high does not mean used ones can be stacked the same way.

Crex makes no stacking promise for used as-is units. Even empty units need stable storage. Wind, uneven ground and damaged bases can topple a stack. Keep walkways and fire exits clear.

Measure the narrowest point along the whole route, not just the final spot. Check gates, door tracks, corners and anything overhead. Include valves and fittings that stick out.

For a doorway, measure the clear opening after hinges and handles. For a vehicle, check the door opening, the space inside and the payload.

If the tank will sit on a platform, roof or raised floor, get a structural check. A full tank puts about a tonne on a small area.

Start with what you will use it for, the space you have and how it will be moved. A smaller tank may still have the same footprint as a larger one, so compare actual product data, not just litres. For non-drinking-water uses, read the IBC water tank guide.

Ask for the capacity, measurements, base type, valve condition and photos. Say what you plan to use it for and any access limits at your site.

Used units are supplied as-is. You must clean them and confirm they suit your use, and minor residue may remain. They are not for chemicals, dangerous goods, food or drinking water.

If you have empty IBCs to get rid of, send the count, what they held and their condition. Point out damaged cages, missing valves or residue. Do not wash unknown residue down a drain.