What maintenance procedure is effective in preventing algae growth in fuel tanks?

Regular fuel polishing is an effective maintenance procedure for preventing algae growth in fuel tanks. This process involves circulating and filtering the fuel to remove contaminants, such as water, bacteria, and algae, that may be present. Algae thrive in moist environments, so by keeping the fuel clean and removing water, the conditions that promote algae growth are significantly reduced.

Fuel polishing helps ensure that the microbial content in the fuel is minimized and that any existing algae are effectively filtered out before they can propagate. This is especially important because algae can clog filters and impact engine performance, leading to costly repairs and operational disruptions.

In contrast, the other choices do not address the root cause of algae growth in fuel systems effectively. Frequent fuel addition might introduce new contaminants or water without removing existing problems, using higher octane fuel does not necessarily correlate with preventing algae, and adding stabilizers may help with fuel longevity but does not specifically target algae prevention like polishing does.