Does anyone have proof (verified by themselves) of biologics growing in a boats diesel tank ????? I mean you actually looked at fuel from your tank under a microscope and personally witnessed live organisms. I'm calling BS on this old wives tail until I get proof.
DIESEL FUEL "BUGS"
Diesel fuel "bugs" can cause fuel filters to block., with subsequent engine malfunction, or worse still, engine stoppage.
Diesel fuel "bugs" are actually micro-organisms comprised of fungi, yeasts and bacteria which live mostly in the diesel / water interface inside the diesel tank. The common diesel ‘bug’ is the fungus
Hormoconis resinae that can produce a large biomass of mycelia (fungal matting) in a short period of time if the conditions are favourable.
Hormoconis resinae is called "diesel bug" in the diesel fuel industry and "jet fuel fungus" in the aviation industry.
The mycelia of
Hormoconis resinae excrete acids that can break down weaker tank material such as aluminium.
Water, nutrients and warmth are the pre-requisites for "bugs" to rapidly grow, blocking filters and damaging engine fuel components. Water can be either free water (fresh or salt) or emulsified water. Free water may have come from faulty bulk storage tanks, or from rain or sea water entering through fuel tank filler caps with faulty seals. Nutrients can include the alkanes in the fuel, dead "bugs" and even the fuel tank material. Warmth is usually from the local ambient conditions, but diesel tanks in engine rooms and non-cooled high flow return lines into small fuel tanks will increase the diesel tank temperature.
Long storage of diesel fuel also increases the potential of "bugs" to grow.
Oh, and I did not personally witness the 'bugs' other than the messes I have dealt with for decades that resulted from their existence. The scientific community is good enough for me on that score.