Green mold in buckets

[3fires]

I have some green mold or algae forming again in my plastic tap buckets. Is it safe to leave it in there if i'm gathering the sap every two days?

The sap looks clear and makes good syrup.

Thanks!

[3fires]

If anyone knows the answer to this i'd appreciate it. With this warmup I'll be pulling my taps, but would like to know for next season.

Thanks again.

[happy thoughts]

Would you eat moldy bread? You're making a food for human consumption. The cleaner your sap the higher quality of syrup you will make. Mold and bacteria can lead to off tastes. Keep your buckets clean.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I sanatize all my tanks and buckets at least once each week during the season with a small sprayer and a touch of bleach in the water. Keeps the slimy film off of the bottom and sides and makes a ton better syrup.

[TF Maple]

Also the bacteria are eating sugar and we don't want to lose that.

[3fires]

I sanatize all my tanks and buckets at least once each week during the season with a small sprayer and a touch of bleach in the water. Keeps the slimy film off of the bottom and sides and makes a ton better syrup.

Do you have to rinse them afterwards?

Thanks everyone!

[holey_bucket]

I sanatize all my tanks and buckets at least once each week during the season with a small sprayer and a touch of bleach in the water. Keeps the slimy film off of the bottom and sides and makes a ton better syrup.

I'm also curious to know how you do this. I was getting the same green spots. I was thinking of installing a bucket washer on the back of my truck, but I'd like to hear more about your spraying setup.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I have a 1 gallon pump sprayer that is light and I just spray a light mist all over inside of tanks and buckets once a week and turn them upside down and let them drain out.

[3fires]

Thanks for that. Cleaning buckets and tanks mid process was something I hadn't considered to be honest. I didn't realize we'd have this long of a season and a big warmup right in the middle of it all. I should have used that warmup break to clean everything up real good.

But, I'll be more prepared next season now.

The folks here have been a big help for my first "real" season and I truly appreciate it. Other than a few moldy buckets and one split tree everything went off without a hitch.

Thanks again everyone!