algae in tank
 

today, my plans are to drain and pull the tank, then wash out the inside and treat it with algicide, which i would empty out of the tank before filling with fuel again. this work will be accompanied by a fuel line, return line and filter replacement. however, the only algicide i was able to find is made for swimming pool treatment (bioguard inhibit). is this alright to use in the tank or should i order one of the brands specially made for diesel?

Your pool algicide will likely not kill the bacteria or fungus in your tank. Algea need light to grow. The stuff in your tank is either bacteria or fungus. You'll want to use a diesel biocide or, if you can assure that you rinse it out completely some other biocide. Diesel biocide will burn harmlessly in your fuel, other biocides may not.

Startron sold by Westmarine. You may not need to drain the tank. I was surprised.

Use AlgaeX fuel treatment--it works wonders on dirty fuel systems

Squeeze the algae and make biodiesel outa it;)

regardless of how you clean your tank, change your fuel supplier !! otherwise the infection will continue.

usually just using the boicide and new filters will do the trick. I would not pull or drain the tank until I tried that. Personally I have never drained a tank for bacteria, the biocide will kill it and render it able to run out through the filter and burn off.

Good luck!

Actually you have the Seed of good idea there.

Grow the stuff you are going to use as Fuel right in the Fuel Tank.

But, I think it will take a while for technology to catch up with that one.:D

Maybe some time in the future they will be able to genetically alter something that would grow and turn into Fuel right in the Tank (don't tell Big Oil).

The pool algecide is intended for use in water systems and is probably a water based product. You might very well make the problem worse.

Shop at a marine, boat, etc. supply store. They should have several products intended for diesel fuel. I prefer and use Soltron. I've never drained my tank or cleaned the in tank fuel screen.

I already have a rudeimentary plann you get a flat style tank -like those spare tire replacement tanks, you cut the top off and you install a hinged lid/press kinda like an old forge billows that squeezes the alge filled tank, then you employ a midget to sit in the trunk pushing down the billows lid squeezing as you drive along--of course you are runnin the ooze thru a raycor filter to strain /clean the slime out tween the tank and motor!;)

I used Startron and my filters still clogged. I switched to Biocide and it appears to be helping. No need to removed the tank at first. Just buy a bunch of spare in-line filters.

Scott

which starton product did you use?
the fuel conditioner (snake oil) or tank cleaner?
biocide will plug up filters, fuel conditioner will do little for the infection.
tank cleaner will kill the fungus, and make it able to pass through the filters.
the trick is to reverse the tank lines, and have the biocide flush out the tank strainer, and NEVER LET THE TANK GET BELOW 1/2 level!!! after a week, change the filters, put the lines back the way it was, and drive happy!

Tank cleaner.

Scott