Bad Saltwater? Mold ID?

jk1151 · Jun 30, 2020

Hi- for my saltwater mixing tank I have a 40 gallon BRUTE can. I use RODI water and Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt. I usually mix up about 35 gallons to have on hand but the last couple times have noticed this build up and mild type smell from the can. I keep the lid on. It is hot right now in Colorado so water stays close to 80 degrees day in and day out. I always mix salt into water without heating it. Not sure what this is as I have tried researching and only thing keeps popping up is precipitate. This water has been in here for about 2 weeks. I use a power head to mix it 3xs a day for 20 minutes but maybe that is the issue? Anyways, wondering if anyone knows what this is and if the water would still be ok to use. I hate to throw out 20 gallons on pre mixed saltwater if I didn’t have to. Could this be mold? Should I be worried? I will clean out with vinegar after either using it or dumping it. Whatever I should do if anyone knows that is. Thanks for the help!

Flippers4pups · Jun 30, 2020

Almost looks like GFO particles dropped in the can. Don't think it's mold. If it were me, I'd dump it, clean everything and start over. Inspect everything closely, take apart the mixing pump....etc....

ahiggins · Jun 30, 2020

That’s normal stagnation. I used to get it in my containers when I kept sw leftover. I stopped doing that lol I couldn’t clean it with anything. Bleach, vinegar, nothing worked for me. Tossed the container and only make what I use now

Justin_Casper · Aug 23, 2020

Literally have been using TM products for awhile and this last batch of Pro Reef salt did the same thing in my mixing containers and when mixing I noticed particulates that wouldn’t dissolve. It’s never happened before. Tested the water that had been mixed about 10 days prior and registered nitrates at 2-3. Ditching the entire bucket and water and getting new salt