Where pillow tanks work
Lightweight and compact when empty, a pillow tank is easy to transport, set up and store, and it goes where a rigid tank is hard to place: remote sites, farms, construction sites, disaster relief and temporary storage during repairs.
- Drinking water: potable pillow tanks hold emergency and backup water for homes, disaster relief, construction sites and remote locations.
- Pool water: pool maintenance crews hold pool water in a pillow tank while they clean or repair the pool, so no water is lost. See temporary pool water storage. We sell pillow tanks; we do not rent them.
- Tight and low spaces: the low profile fits crawl spaces and other low-clearance locations. See low profile water storage tanks.
- Non-potable storage: irrigation water, rainwater, construction water and other liquids that will not be used for drinking.
Fabric and setting
The pillow design stays the same; the fabric is selected for the liquid stored and the climate. That is why each size comes in a potable and a non-potable version: buy the potable tank for anything people will drink.
Shop potable pillow tanks or non-potable pillow tanks. For RV gray and black water, see our guide to gray and black water bladder tanks.
How to choose a pillow tank
- Size to the peak volume. Pick the capacity the job must hold at its peak. Sizes step from 25, 50 and 100 gallons through 1,000 and 10,000 gallons up to 250,000 gallons.
- Measure the filled footprint. A filled pillow tank spreads wide and low: about 48 by 66 inches and 9 inches high at 100 gallons, 108 by 132 inches and 16 inches high at 1,000 gallons, and 186 by 234 inches and 27 inches high at 5,000 gallons. The temporary water tank guide lists more sizes.
- Prepare the ground. Set the tank on a flat, clean surface cleared of sharp objects. A ground cloth under the tank adds a layer against abrasion and ground moisture.
- Place it before you fill. An empty tank moves easily, but a full one should never be moved. Once filled, the water weight holds it in place, and outdoors, shade or a sunscreen liner protects the fabric from UV damage.
Pillow tank questions
Is a pillow tank the same as a bladder tank? Yes. Pillow tank, bladder tank, blivet, collapsible tank and flexible tank all name the same closed fabric tank. An onion tank is a different style: its open top gives the fastest setup, while a closed pillow tank suits sealed, longer storage. See collapsible tanks.
How long does a pillow tank last? Fabrics carry a contact time, usually 1 year, 3 to 5 years or 7 years. It rates when the fabric may start to change from weathering or the liquid stored, not the tank's life span, and tanks often last well beyond it. Thicker fabrics, such as 33 oz., carry the longer ratings.
Can a pillow tank collect rainwater? Yes. Most smaller pillow tanks have two bulkhead fittings, one on top and one on the side, so a fill hose from the downspout and a discharge hose can connect at once. A filter keeps leaves out, and a pump on the discharge side moves the water for reuse. See rain water storage tanks.
Can a pillow tank be repaired? Yes. Address leaks promptly; a small one can be fixed with a DIY tank repair kit. For a larger leak, empty the tank first so the repair can be made properly.
