600 Gallon Diesel Tank

[Elite1]

At my construction yard, I have a 600 gallon diesel tank, mounted on a trailer. It has an electric transfer pump, hooked up to a 12 volt automotive battery. I have connected a small solar panel ($29. 00 at harbor freight), which keeps the battery charged. It also has 20 ft. of fuel hose and a pistol nozzel just like the service stations. I also have an inline wix fuel filter plumbed in. It usually takes me about 2 months to go through the fuel.

My question is should I be adding some type of diesel additive to the tank? I never have, in the year that I have had the tank, and have not encountered any problems, but have heard of algae and other problems developing in similar systems. Any advice is most welcome. Thanks, Marty

 

[RoryTek]

Hey Marty, it would be real cheap insurance if you did.

 

[Elite1]

OK, Any one with experience with this... how much and which product?

 

[illflem]

I would think that in your coastal climate with high humidity and never very cold temps it might be wise to use an algaecide.



Now I'm going to eat my words - I used to farm near Goleta and had a 1000 gal above ground diesel tank, no additive and never a problem. The tank was installed correctly though, tilted away from the outlet end with a water drain on the low side and had a Goldenrod filter with water trap on the outlet to the hose. A little water would come out the drain occasionally but never any in the filter and absolutely no algae.

When I farmed in E. WA never used any additive and also never had any problems but I would sort of expect it in that cold desert environment.



Most all the reading I've done on diesel algae (actually a bacteria) they are referring to marine use, doesn't seem like the problem occurs on land much.



Do know that in my forty plus years of heavy diesel use from farm/construction tanks I've never once used any additive except to prevent gelling and have never once had an algae problem. The fuel is usually turning over at least once a month except for in the off season when it may take five months to go though a tank.

 

[Elite1]

Illflem, Thanks for the input. Goleta is just up the road, and I have pretty much the same climate here in Camarillo. I would imagine Montana is a big difference, climate wise, from Goleta. Speaking of Goleta, about 20 years ago, I did a big landscape project on campus, at UCSB... . nice scenery!... . Now my son is a student there.

Guess I should put a water trap in! Thx, Marty

 

[illflem]

Should have also mentioned that although biocides are available they aren't something you see stocked on the shelf at your auto parts or fuel supplier.

To me that sort of indicates how little their use is warranted.