Dadnatron
Veteran Member
I grew up with tractors, and to my knowledge, we never had an issue with algae in diesel. I am 99.99% sure we never treated anything, but then again... I was more of a worker and my Grandpa could have had that all covered and I never realized it.
Fast Forward 30yrs.
I purchased a 5100e 3 yrs ago and built a 275gal tank. It was a previous heating oil tank that I cleaned out and painted. I put in a good electric pump and have been using it with Off-road diesel pumped in around 200-250gal loads several times a year. All diesel runs through a GoldenRod water/debris filter at the tank before it goes into my tractor.
About 2 months ago, I was having low fuel rail pressure codes, so I changed my filters and it continued. neither filter looked dirty and there was no water, but I was having issues. Finally, I took it in, and they said there was 'BAD' algae in the tank to the degree that it was clogging up the debris screen in the tank.
So... $600 later, I'm adding $4 of antimicrobial to each 250gal.
I KNEW it could happen... but it all seemed more theoretical than real. And since my filters were always 'clean', I didn't think much about it.
I just keep thinking how much diesel treatment and useful time I could have had for that $600.
I just purchased the treatment they had at John Deere, so I am set for a year or so. Each Quart treats 2500gal so that will likely get me to spring next year. But, do you have any recommendations on a brand of treatment for the future?
Fast Forward 30yrs.
I purchased a 5100e 3 yrs ago and built a 275gal tank. It was a previous heating oil tank that I cleaned out and painted. I put in a good electric pump and have been using it with Off-road diesel pumped in around 200-250gal loads several times a year. All diesel runs through a GoldenRod water/debris filter at the tank before it goes into my tractor.
About 2 months ago, I was having low fuel rail pressure codes, so I changed my filters and it continued. neither filter looked dirty and there was no water, but I was having issues. Finally, I took it in, and they said there was 'BAD' algae in the tank to the degree that it was clogging up the debris screen in the tank.
So... $600 later, I'm adding $4 of antimicrobial to each 250gal.
I KNEW it could happen... but it all seemed more theoretical than real. And since my filters were always 'clean', I didn't think much about it.
I just keep thinking how much diesel treatment and useful time I could have had for that $600.
I just purchased the treatment they had at John Deere, so I am set for a year or so. Each Quart treats 2500gal so that will likely get me to spring next year. But, do you have any recommendations on a brand of treatment for the future?