unlike Haydude, my needs are simple with just a few 5 gal containers. treat with Optilube but without an algicide, therefore my question. they'll sit treated no longer than a few months well sealed. still not sure to add a separate algae treatment, but never had a problem over the years. the consequences though sound like a nightmare. good luck w your own fuel challenges. cheers
Algae & Microbal growth in diesel
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LouNY
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I've been through the algae and/or biologic growth in fuel tanks a couple of times. I've also used B20 diesel at times.
When getting a biologic issue in a tractor tank it has come from the bulk storage tank which in turn got it from a fuel delivery truck.
One went unnoticed untill the fuel filter on the tractor plugged up and was replaced only to plug again after just a couple of hours.
The filter got changed regularly for some time with no improvement , then the other tractors started having issues and the problem got figured out. Biocide was added to all the tanks involved. A couple of the tractors just needed a few filter changes, one was more of a problem the dead stuff was even plugging the inlet line and stopping fuel flow. That involved sucking the fuel out of the tank straining it and some got reserved for fire starting,
the rest got filtered and then used. It is not a fun process but we didn't have to replace any parts except for a bunch of filters. At work one of the diesel standby generators got a severe case of contamination and they were relying on the fuel oil company to fix the issue which turned into a circus of ineptness. After a month of them messing around and not fixing the issue, I went and talked to the maintenance supervisor and they ended up getting a good fuel pump several filters and a better biocide and we simply polished the fuel untill the fuel in the tank (300 gallons) could be circulated for several hours and not plug a 5 micron filter it did take several large 10 and 5 micron filters.
So I routinely add a biocide to my bulk tanks after every delivery and haven't had an issue in many years.
I have seen filter plugging when using B20 or even B10, but I believe that to have been a result of the B20 cleaning much of the old varnish out of the tanks and lines and plugging the filters, that material has a much different feel and smell the the biologics caught in the filters.
When getting a biologic issue in a tractor tank it has come from the bulk storage tank which in turn got it from a fuel delivery truck.
One went unnoticed untill the fuel filter on the tractor plugged up and was replaced only to plug again after just a couple of hours.
The filter got changed regularly for some time with no improvement , then the other tractors started having issues and the problem got figured out. Biocide was added to all the tanks involved. A couple of the tractors just needed a few filter changes, one was more of a problem the dead stuff was even plugging the inlet line and stopping fuel flow. That involved sucking the fuel out of the tank straining it and some got reserved for fire starting,
the rest got filtered and then used. It is not a fun process but we didn't have to replace any parts except for a bunch of filters. At work one of the diesel standby generators got a severe case of contamination and they were relying on the fuel oil company to fix the issue which turned into a circus of ineptness. After a month of them messing around and not fixing the issue, I went and talked to the maintenance supervisor and they ended up getting a good fuel pump several filters and a better biocide and we simply polished the fuel untill the fuel in the tank (300 gallons) could be circulated for several hours and not plug a 5 micron filter it did take several large 10 and 5 micron filters.
So I routinely add a biocide to my bulk tanks after every delivery and haven't had an issue in many years.
I have seen filter plugging when using B20 or even B10, but I believe that to have been a result of the B20 cleaning much of the old varnish out of the tanks and lines and plugging the filters, that material has a much different feel and smell the the biologics caught in the filters.
LOU did you use something long a golden rod filter on your storage tank?
My fuel storage is a clean 275gal oil tank. I treated it in 2020 when the first fill happened. It's about 5yrs of fuel for me. So far so good. I do have a golden rod filter on it and 1x a year open the drain valve to check for water.
My fuel storage is a clean 275gal oil tank. I treated it in 2020 when the first fill happened. It's about 5yrs of fuel for me. So far so good. I do have a golden rod filter on it and 1x a year open the drain valve to check for water.
LouNY
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Yes my tanks have filters on them, the farm tanks most of them do but not all.
I like the idea of dual filters with a particle filter for the first and a water block for the second.
But I haven't done that yet. I also haven't had an issue in several years now.
The filters with a drain get checked every couple of months.
I like the idea of dual filters with a particle filter for the first and a water block for the second.
But I haven't done that yet. I also haven't had an issue in several years now.
The filters with a drain get checked every couple of months.
5030
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After my expensive experience, I just add biocide all the time now. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. Not that expensive to use and certainly less expensive that some of the 'snake oil' additives sold today.
Got a reply from Racor and I've ordered their 12T filter with primer from them. In fact I've ordered 2 of them.
Got a reply from Racor and I've ordered their 12T filter with primer from them. In fact I've ordered 2 of them.
5030
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I might add that Kubota states in the owners manuals (current ones at least) to not use bio diesel in their tractors. Have no idea bout others, all I own are Kubota's.
mrmikey
Veteran Member
Least you can buy biocide, can't get it in Nova Scotia. I don't use my tractor a heck of a lot and it sits so I wanted to be preemptive for diesel bugs, can't get it anywhere. I make sure I keep the tank full is my only solution.....Mike
5030
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Interesting. Can you buy it online on Amazon? Biobore sells a certified biocide on there.
so currently using the all yr round Optilube, but does not contain algicide. although never had growth prob in my diesel, may consider the following product thanks to suggestions above. thinking of adding to existing Optilube treated fuel. your thoughts on compatibility? or am i overthinking & overkill? having a water dispersal already seems to me will reduce chances. thx in advance
https://www.amazon.com/BIOBOR-Diesel-Fuel-Additive-Supplement/dp/B0014434DG/ref=sr_1_23?crid=SUDBEY8Z9KRH&keywords=bipbore+diesel+treatment&qid=1658336892&sprefix=bipbore+diesel+treatment,aps,103&sr=8-23
https://www.amazon.com/BIOBOR-Diesel-Fuel-Additive-Supplement/dp/B0014434DG/ref=sr_1_23?crid=SUDBEY8Z9KRH&keywords=bipbore+diesel+treatment&qid=1658336892&sprefix=bipbore+diesel+treatment,aps,103&sr=8-23
mrmikey
Veteran Member
There was a few that will ship last time I looked (quite awhile ago) but the price is unreal.
Just looked, $70 plus $8 shipping for 8 oz, (350 ml)....if it doesn't get nailed at the border
