The nicest possible cover for a rain tank (7)
I believe the answer is:
cistern
'tank' is the definition.
(cistern is a kind of tank)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cistern that I've seen before include "Water storage tank" , "Tank - sac of body fluid" , "Vat" , "WC water tank" , "Tank, reservoir" .)