BIOCIDES-Use or Don't Use

[weinie]

You guys must love living dangerously!

I'm not certain what you would call "conclusive proof."

We know that:

Microbes can live in the interface of water and diesel fuel. That's a lot of black crud you get in the tank.
Microbes live and die and leave their little bodies to accumulate as a sludge.
Some microbes produce very acidic waste products, think microbe pee.
Aluminum reacts poorly to acid.
Pick up tubes in fuel tanks do not reach the bottom of the tank, so by the time they pick up the sludge, there is a lot of it.
The aviation industry is very concerned about microbes in jet fuel. Jet fuel and diesel are not chemically that different.
Murphy says that the filter will not clog with dead microbes when the boat is safely at the dock.
Water gets into the fuel tank in various ways, sometimes through the tank vent, sometimes through failed filler gaskets.
Water is heavier than diesel so it settles to the bottom of the tank where it is not evacuated by the fuel pump until there is way too much water.

I think those are enough reasons to keep a fuel tank full and to use a biocide. However, your boat, your life, just think of the folks who would have to effect a rescue as your fuel filter clogs on a lee shore.

Using an additive is cheap insurance.

or snake oil.
You can say all you want about how it kills microbes in a petri dish, but I would like to see evidence of how it works in the real world.

 

[weinie]

The biocides absolutely kill the bugs, both in the lab and in the field. This has been measured and there is no question on this point. There is no question that they can prevent significant growth in a tank. This has been proven over and over and over again in testing by many parties.

That is not to say you must use them, that there are not other ways to keep a clean system, or that they will clean a system that is dirty. But to state the effectiveness of biocides is anecdotal is to misunderstand the word.

an·ec·do·tal/ˌanəkˈdōdl/
adjective
adjective: anecdotal
(of an account) not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.

Please post links of actual testing results in environments similar to our fuel tanks.

 

[thinwater]

Please post links of actual testing results in environments similar to our fuel tanks.

These products have been in use for 50 years, from refinery scale, to generator tanks, to construction equipment, to boats. I have used several for nearly that long in refinery settings, measuring results and doing cell counts. While snake oil exists (I know some) none of the company's tested fall remotely in that catagory. I certainly don't have a dog in the fight, if that is your implication.

To be blunt, if you don't believe anyone, Google for yourself and then decide if you believe anyone at all. Do your homework. I see no purpose in posting links you won't believe.

 

[dlochner]

or snake oil.
You can say all you want about how it kills microbes in a petri dish, but I would like to see evidence of how it works in the real world.

And what would that evidence look like?

Of course by not using a biocide you are conducting a study. Perhaps you'll get lucky or you take exceptional care to keep your diesel and your tank pristine so you won't have a problem.

On the other hand there is considerable evidence that microbes grow in fuel tanks that get water in them. And there is considerable evidence that said microbes can 1) clog fuel filters and 2) increase the acidity of the water in the fuel tank leading to corrosion.

So anyone can take the risk of clogged filters and leaky diesel tanks and the expenses they incur or use Biobar JF which costs about 2.5 cents per treated gallon of diesel fuel.

 

[NYSail]

Read your manual, Beneteau has other ideas.

Beneteau has a lot of things in the manual. Just take a look at the electrical system and thru hull fittings as to what they think is good.

I am not a passive boater. I just dont wing it. Every year I pump the bottom and sump of my tank. First year I owned my boat i pulled lots of sludge but no water. This year minimal debris.... almost nothing and again no water. Racor is clean after 2 years.
I understand the benefits of a microb killer in some environments and certainly I would use if needed, but so far for me I have no need. I use my fuel, buy from high volume stations and pay attention to my system. Sort of like meds...... I’ll pass on the high blood pressure meds and rather exercise to make it better if I can. But again what ever one needs to keep things clean is the way to go.....

Greg