Mold in salt bucket?

[BristleWormHater]

Looks like mold at the bottom of this bucket. I'm not gonna use the water, but I was wondering how to prevent this in the future? I included pics of the lid I use, just the standard home depot lid, but It's not fully leak proof after the first use which I'm sure some of you know.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can’t tell much from the picture but mold is very uncommon. What does it look like?

 

[BristleWormHater]

Can’t tell much from the picture but mold is very uncommon. What does it look like?

Greyish/brown dots

 

[BristleWormHater]

Wanted to elaborate a little I'm concerned that since that lid isn't leak proof it's probably not air tight either, could that be the issue?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What salt mix? Mold doesn’t usually grow in salt, hence preserving foods with salt.

 

[BristleWormHater]

What salt mix? Mold doesn’t usually grow in salt, hence preserving foods with salt.

I get that, that's why I was surprised to see it. I don't mix my own saltwater right now. My tank is small enough that it's more convenient to just buy some from my lfs, very popular and reputable lfs though I doubt it was something fundamentally wrong with the water.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Oh, wait, you are buying salt water and that is what has mold? There can be mold above salt water on the bucket.

 

[Asm481]

Besides being unsightly or stinky, is mold or mildew dangerous to our reef tanks?

 

[exnisstech]

Do you ever clean the buckets? I keep mixed saltwater for weeks some times in a brute with the lid just resting on top so it is not air tight and I get nothing in the container but residue from the salt mix I use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Besides being unsightly or stinky, is mold or mildew dangerous to our reef tanks?

I doubt it’s any concern for the tank. Mold is not great for people though.

 

[Doctorgori]

I get that all the time in stored saltwater …
I think that’s algae and those buckets let in light