Algea in fuel tank

[Toyboy]

I think I already know the answer before I ask, but will ask anyway to confirm my suspicions.
Tractor lives in a heated garage in the winter (55deg)

Without water in fuel, algae cannot/will not form ....correct?

I always use a Mr Funnel when filling my tractor, so I should be water free in tank. I have purchased some algae killer (biocide)?, and do use it occasionally, and also add some SeaFoam from time to time. I always use Diesel Service booster.

Tractor is only used for snow blowing in the winter, and it's use depends on snow amount. It does not come out otherwise.


Your thoughts

 

[varmint]

Suspicions? That you are over-cautious, maybe? Sounds like you have all the bases covered, and then some.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I keep my fuel stored in a 100 gallon steel tank and a 275 gallon plastic TOTE TANK, both of which are stored in my completely enclosed but unheated storage shed. I have never used any biocide nor diesel conditioner (we don't get much weather below 25F)and I have never had an issue with water in my tanks or algae or need for a fuel conditioner to prevent gelling/ or cetane booster.
I use a 10 micron filter on my fuel pump but I had to change my B26 fuel filter at 450 hours due to some dirt stopping it up but at the same hours on my RTV, it was still clear. I still don't know where the dirt in my B26 came from, but suspicions of perhaps some dirt dauber nest in my fuel nozzle may have contributed to it. Now I wrap a rag around the end each time I hang it back in the pump to prevent the possible insect nesting. Spiders also like to house in it and hopefully the rag keeps them out also.

Lots of folks like to spend money unnecessarily on prevention of a non-existent condition which if fine if it makes you sleep better at night. But if you buy clean fuel and keep it clean a biocide is not needed. Anti-gelling agents are perhaps necessary if you are in the far north and temps at more than 5 degrees below freezing all the time. Here even if the temps hit 14F like it did for a brief period last year, it warms up above freezing pretty quickly. WRT that, I use plain tap water as ballast in my tractor tires and have never had it freeze but then again, I don't have a need to run it when it is cold anyway.

 

[Toyboy]

Suspicions? That you are over-cautious, maybe? Sounds like you have all the bases covered, and then some.

I'm a pro-active guy, and not one of those who close the gate after the horses are out.

That being said, Ive read some horror stories here about algae in the fuel systems and trying to get rid of it. I just don't like surprises when it comes to my equipment, that's all.

I believe in the adage of "pay me now or pay me later"

 

[SteveM70]

I'm glad this came up. I have heard that a good way to prevent algae in your tank is to make sure you top it off after every use. Well, what if I'm filling my tank from a 5 gallon plastic jug and use 2 gallons to top off the tractor tank. Now I have a half full plastic jug. Do I need too now top the jug off?

FWIW, I've only had Diesel engines for the last ten years so not near the experience as some here but I've never had a problem with algae.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I'm glad this came up. I have heard that a good way to prevent algae in your tank is to make sure you top it off after every use. Well, what if I'm filling my tank from a 5 gallon plastic jug and use 2 gallons to top off the tractor tank. Now I have a half full plastic jug. Do I need too now top the jug off?

FWIW, I've only had Diesel engines for the last ten years so not near the experience as some here but I've never had a problem with algae.

Topping off minimizes water condensation in the fuel which is the prerequisite for bacteria caused sludge in diesel fuel.

 

[JRobyn]

+1^^^ The AIR in your tank or your fill can (diesel or gasoline) WILL have moisture in it. It is very true that you can minimize any moisture by keeping the tank/can as full as practical, just because it minimizes the amount of air in the tank/can. And an environment that is low in relative humidity, and experiences minor temperature variations will also minimize the air's moisture and it's condensation. All that said and done, a little insurance with Power Service or equivalent surely cannot hurt to minimize formation of algae if and when condensation occurs. I try to keep my tank full and usually use PS, but have still had ONE occurrence of algae bad enough to plug both the fuel filter and the tank outlet fitting.

You're doing fine; carry on.

p.s. One place this is really critical is with unlined motorcycle gasoline tanks. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[TMGT]

I've seen an increase in algae with the bio diesel mixes, some stations have low bio blends, about 5%, I avoid them as I don't go through enough fuel to keep it fresh.
Also if the station isn't high volume the algae can form in the storage tanks.
I have one station that I try to use now, 50 cetane and no bio, also has off road and does a high volume, just out of my way most of the time.

 

[Owlswood]

My thoughts? I have no idea if winter humidity in Wisconsin is high enough to be a problem if a plastic fuel tank breathes. Bugs would definitely like those storage temperatures though. On the Wet Coast the first line of defense is treating all fuel with a diesel additive that removes moisture and brags about having "no alcohols". Simple alcohols like ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl that gasoline additives use create their own problems in diesel systems.

I don't use biocides unless I actually find mats and strings in the fuel, and then I follow the instructions for "shock treatment" closely. Using routine low doses of biocide is only going to breed better bugs the same way improper dosing of pesticides and antibiotics do.

 

[bkrgi]

I've seen an increase in algae with the bio diesel mixes, some stations have low bio blends, about 5%, I avoid them as I don't go through enough fuel to keep it fresh.
Also if the station isn't high volume the algae can form in the storage tanks.
I have one station that I try to use now, 50 cetane and no bio, also has off road and does a high volume, just out of my way most of the time.

I agree with this 100%
Avoid the Bio and use a high volume station. In winter make sure to use the winter blend of Diesel or you will learn about gelling