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The boat I just bought has a Walker AlgaeSep in­stalled in the engine room. How does this piece of equipment work, and what are its maintenance requirements? P.G., via e-mail
The Walker AlgaeSep is a fuel polisher that removes algae and other particulate contamination before fuel enters your engine’s fuel system. It comes in two models: the AS700 and the AS1200. Both have the same processing rate of 40 gph, but the AS1200 is for boats 60 feet and up, while the AS700 is for boats 40 to 60 feet, where space may be limited.

As illustrated here, AlgaeSep is a closed-loop system with a separate fuel pump and separate pickup that goes right to the bottom of your boat’s fuel tank. It’s made of stainless steel, with the last five inches being fuel-grade hose, enabling it to bend and move so it can reach contamination lying on the bottom of the tank.

When the pump is activated, it draws fuel from the tank and circulates it inside the main chamber at high speed, which centrifuges out water and heavy contaminants, including algae or “bugs.” There is no filter ele­ment here, but there is a 25-micron secondary filter at the top that should be changed at least every 250 hours. It captures any growth or solids that are not separated out before the fuel is re­turned to the tank. (A replacement element costs less than $10.)

One of the big advantages of the AlgaeSep is that fuel can be cleaned underway or at dockside, without running the engines. It is said to work well on boats with severe tank contamination that would normally be candidates for fuel-tank cleaning.

For more information visit www.walkerairsep.com or call ( (818) 252-7788.

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