Custom IBC Solutions
An IBC tote is a blank canvas. With the right modifications, it becomes a rain harvesting system, an aquaponics grow bed, a chemical mixing station, a mobile dispensing unit, or just about anything your project demands. Tell us what you need — we will build it.
Schedule Custom Build
Get a free quote for custom IBC tank modifications and special-application builds.
What Can You Do with an IBC Tote?
The answer is: a lot more than you might think. IBC tanks are incredibly versatile structures — strong, stackable, UV-resistant, and built to hold 275 gallons of just about anything. Here are some of the most popular custom builds we create.
Rain Harvesting Systems
Turn an IBC tote into a complete rainwater collection system. We install gutter inlet fittings on the top, a fine mesh screen to filter debris and prevent mosquito breeding, an overflow outlet near the top lip, and a garden hose spigot at the bottom for easy dispensing. We can paint the exterior in dark colors to inhibit algae growth and add UV-protective coatings for outdoor durability.
Multiple IBC totes can be daisy-chained together with bulkhead fittings for larger storage capacity — 550 gallons, 825 gallons, or more. We handle the plumbing and connectors so all you have to do is position them under your downspout.
Aquaponics & Hydroponics
IBC totes are the backbone of DIY aquaponics systems worldwide, and for good reason. A single 275-gallon tote provides a perfect fish tank, while the top section — cut horizontally — becomes a flood-and-drain grow bed. We cut, seal, and fit the plumbing: bell siphons, standpipes, pump inlets, and overflow drains.
For hydroponic setups, we modify totes to serve as nutrient reservoirs with precision-drilled outlet ports sized for your tubing, integrated pump mounts, and lid modifications for easy access and monitoring. Food-grade totes are always used for any system growing edible plants.
Composting & Raised Beds
Want a large-volume composting bin that keeps your materials contained, aerated, and easy to manage? We cut ventilation openings in the HDPE walls, install a screened access door at the bottom for harvesting finished compost, and add a hinged lid on top for adding materials. The steel cage keeps the structure rigid and stackable.
For raised garden beds, we cut IBC totes horizontally and line them with landscape fabric. The steel cage acts as the frame, the HDPE serves as the basin, and you get a deep, durable planting container that holds soil, retains moisture, and lasts for years. Drainage holes are drilled and grommeted for clean water exit.
Chemical Mixing Stations
Businesses that need on-site chemical mixing benefit from our industrial custom builds. We install calibrated sight gauges for precise volume measurement, mixing paddle mounts with top-opening reinforcement, secondary containment features, and multiple outlet ports with quick-disconnect fittings for distribution lines.
For safety, we add drip trays, lockable valve covers, and chemical-resistant labeling with GHS-compliant hazard markings. These builds are popular with cleaning companies, agriculture operations, and manufacturing facilities that need reliable, portable mixing and dispensing.
Mobile Dispensing Units
Need to transport and dispense liquids on the go? We build mobile IBC dispensing stations that mount on trailers, truck beds, or skid platforms. Each unit includes a 12V or 120V pump, a dispensing nozzle with auto-shutoff, a digital flow meter for tracking usage, and secure tie-down hardware for safe transport.
Mobile dispensing builds are popular for mobile car wash services, agricultural spraying, dust suppression on construction sites, and emergency water distribution. We can build to your exact specifications or help you design a system from scratch.
Whatever You Can Dream Up
We have built IBC totes into outdoor showers for campgrounds, portable hand-wash stations for events, livestock watering systems with float valves, bio-diesel processing tanks, maple syrup collection vessels, and even a hot tub (yes, really). The HDPE bottle is easy to cut, drill, and fit with standard plumbing — and the steel cage provides a ready-made frame for mounting hardware.
If you have an idea, we can probably build it. Bring us your sketch, your Pinterest board, or just your concept — and we will figure out the engineering.
Available Modifications
Mix and match any of these modifications to create exactly what you need. Every build starts with a clean, inspected IBC tote from our inventory.
| Modification | Description | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Outlets | Bulkhead fittings, garden hose spigots, quick-disconnect ports, cam-lock adapters | Rain harvesting, dispensing, daisy-chaining |
| Inlet Fittings | Gutter connectors, fill ports, screened inlets with debris filters | Rainwater collection, gravity-fed systems |
| Overflow Outlets | Side-mounted overflow ports with hose barbs or pipe thread fittings | Preventing overfill, directing excess water |
| Cut-Outs & Windows | Horizontal cuts, access doors, ventilation panels, sight windows | Aquaponics grow beds, composting, access doors |
| Painting & Coating | UV-blocking exterior paint, anti-algae dark coatings, custom colors | Outdoor use, aesthetics, algae prevention |
| Pump Mounts | 12V/120V pump brackets, wiring pass-throughs, nozzle holders | Mobile dispensing, transfer systems, irrigation |
| Sight Gauges | Clear tube level indicators, calibrated scales, float gauges | Chemical mixing, volume monitoring, inventory tracking |
| Screening & Filtration | Mesh screens, sediment filters, first-flush diverters | Rainwater purity, mosquito prevention, debris filtering |
| Custom Labeling | Branded decals, content labels, hazard markings, barcodes | Commercial use, branding, regulatory compliance |
| Structural Reinforcement | Additional cage bracing, reinforced pallet base, forklift sleeves | Heavy-duty applications, stacking, trailer mounting |
Custom Labeling & Branding
Need your IBC totes to carry your company brand? We offer full-service custom labeling for businesses that use IBC tanks as part of their product delivery or on-site operations. Options include high-durability vinyl decals with your logo and brand colors, weather-resistant content labels with regulatory information, sequential barcode or QR code stickers for inventory tracking, and GHS-compliant hazard markings for chemical applications.
Custom labeling turns a generic container into a professional, branded asset that reinforces your company identity every time a customer or team member interacts with it.
Project Consultation
Not sure exactly what modifications you need? That is what our consultation process is for. Here is how it works:
- Tell us your goal. What do you want the IBC tote to do? Rain collection? Mixing? Dispensing? Growing? We start with the end use.
- We recommend a build. Based on your application, we suggest the right tote size, grade, and combination of modifications. We send you a build spec with itemized pricing.
- You approve, we build. Once you sign off on the spec, our team gets to work. Most custom builds are completed within 3-5 business days.
- Delivery or pickup. We ship the finished build to your door via our transportation service or you pick it up at our Nashville facility.
Why Choose a Custom IBC Build Over Alternatives?
People often ask why they should use a modified IBC tote instead of a purpose-built tank, a polyethylene drum, or a custom-fabricated solution. The answer comes down to three things: cost, versatility, and availability.
A used IBC tote costs a fraction of a new purpose-built tank of similar capacity. With modifications, you get exactly the functionality you need without paying for over-engineered solutions. The standard 48" x 40" footprint fits on standard pallets, through standard doors, and on standard trucks. The steel cage provides built-in structural support that eliminates the need for external framing.
And because we always have used IBC totes in stock, your custom build can start immediately — no waiting weeks for a specialty tank to be manufactured and shipped. Most custom builds are completed and ready for delivery within a week.
Sustainability Bonus
Every custom build starts with a reconditioned or used IBC tote — which means your project is inherently sustainable. Instead of manufacturing a new container from virgin materials, you are repurposing an existing one. That saves approximately 120 kg of CO2 emissions, 500 liters of water, and 55 kg of virgin plastic compared to buying a brand-new container.
When your custom build eventually reaches end-of-life, all of its components are still fully recyclable through our recycling program. The HDPE bottle, steel cage, and pallet base all go back into the material stream. Custom modifications like brass fittings and stainless hardware are separated and recycled through their respective metal streams. Nothing goes to waste.
Learn more on our sustainability page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you modify a tote I already own?
Yes. If you have an existing IBC tote that you want modified, you can ship it to us or drop it off at our Nashville facility. We will clean it, perform the requested modifications, and return it to you. Modification-only pricing is available.
Do you offer food-grade custom builds?
Absolutely. For applications involving drinking water, food ingredients, or edible plants (aquaponics, hydroponics), we start with a food-grade tote that has been steam-cleaned and certified. All fittings and materials used in food-grade builds are NSF-certified and safe for potable water contact.
How long does a custom build take?
Most custom builds are completed within 3-5 business days after approval of the build spec. Complex builds with specialty parts or multiple totes may take 7-10 business days. We will give you a timeline upfront when you approve the project.
Can you do bulk custom orders?
Yes, and we offer volume discounts for bulk custom builds. If you need 10, 50, or 100 identically modified totes — for example, branded rain barrels for retail sale or standardized mixing stations for a franchise operation — we can set up a production run with consistent quality and competitive per-unit pricing.
Let Us Build Something Great
Whether it is a rain barrel for your backyard or a fleet of custom mixing stations for your business, we are ready to bring your vision to life. Tell us what you need.