The Hidden Costs Of Round Fuel Storage Tanks | 5 Examples

5 WAYS YOU LOSE MONEY WITH A ROUND FUEL TANK

When it comes to storing and transporting fuel, an efficient tank is essential. And while traditional round fuel tanks have been the go-to option for years in construction and other industries, they come with distinct challenges that can affect your bottom line.

The hidden costs of cylindrical fuel tanks

Cylindrical fuel tanks can be durable and efficient enough for the job – but they can also add up in costs, take up a lot of valuable space and are a maintenance mayhem. Cubed tanks eliminate these issues and more. 

Here are five ways round tanks can cost you time, efficiency and ultimately money compared to modern cube tanks:

1. Rounds can rack up fines 

Round tanks typically require an external containment pan, especially single-walled models. This means a higher risk for spills or leaks if that pan isn’t properly maintained. Rounds are also more vulnerable to being knocked over by equipment, which can lead to spills or leaks – and  a higher risk of environmental damage and hefty fines. This isn’t the case with double-walled modern cube tanks, which feature a built-in spill containment system and lockable equipment cabinet to keep leaks contained.

2. Rounds cost more to move 

Round tanks require more setup and labor time to move than cube tanks. And while forklift pockets can be added, that’s often at an additional cost. Modern cube tanks like the TransCube Global come standard with corner brackets and four-way forklift pockets. This lets you quickly and precisely position tanks with maximum efficiency by crane or forklift.

3. Rounds need more maintenance 

All fuel tanks require routine care and inspection, but the maintenance for round tanks is more time-consuming and costly. The external secondary containment pans on round tanks can be expensive to clean and need to be cleaned frequently. Because cube tanks are 110% double-walled, no secondary pan is needed. That’s a clear savings on time and labor.

Read more about spill pans and double-walled fuel tanks here. 

4. Rounds are less secure 

Round tanks typically rely on padlocks to restrict fuel access, which are easy to cut off. They also usually store pumps and accessories outside the tank, leaving them open to tampering or theft. The result? More vulnerability to fuel theft when prices climb. Cube fuel tanks like those from Western Global feature a lockable equipment cabinet and optional fuel management systems to restrict use only to authorized personnel.

 5. Rounds are less space efficient 

Because round tanks generally aren’t stackable, they take up more square footage on the jobsite, resulting in less operational efficiency and potential safety hazards. A less spacious jobsite means more obstacles and potential accidents with downtime. When space is at a premium, cube tanks like the TransCube Global can be stacked three-high while empty or two-high with fuel,  meaning fewer trips to refill tanks, saving additional time and money. See this for yourself in our extreme test, where we stacked not one, not two, but seven TransCubes on top of each other. 

A more efficient option

For operations looking to reduce downtime and fuel storage costs, the latest cube tanks can increase productivity, safety and efficiency over traditional round models. By switching to a durable, mobile and secure cube solution, you can avoid the financial drains associated with round tanks, bringing savings and efficiency to your operation.

Click to learn more about TransCube Global tanks, or read our round vs cubed tank guide to really see them go head to head.