How important is it to RO water?

[Metro_Detroit]

I run 24 plants in an ebb and flow system hooked up with a 200 gal res. I live in the Detroit area and have been just using strait tap water as my base then add my nutrients (general hydroponics) and pH. I’m sure using a RO system would benefit me but I’m curious in what ways and how much? This is what my blue lab reads for my tap water.

 

[Nizza]

it depends on the source of the water, do you think you could get a local report if you have town/city water? I'm sure some people would be able to chime in on their experiences. For me, tap water worked great in soil but for hydro I didn't even try it. I think alot of it will have to do with your system and what you decide to use for nutrients based on your water

I know @Renfro has done both ways now and is doing a grow with tap water to see how he can save money, he would have some good info on this

 

[Metro_Detroit]

@Renfro seems to be the go to guy lol

 

[Renfro]

My tap water is 170 - 180 PPM. I used RO for so long and wanted to get away from all the waste and having to change filters. My water bill went WAY down after dropping the RO and I sure don't miss changing the filters, thats a fucking headache.

With RO water I was using 5 ml per gallon of the calimagic. With my tap I have settled on 2ml calimagic and 0.33 grams of epsom salt per gallon along with my base nutes. Yours may vary depending on how much calcium and magnesium is in your water.

I would use RO if my tap water was much higher in PPM.

You are in Michigan, are you concerned with heavy metals in your tap water where you are located?

 

[Metro_Detroit]

My tap water is 170 - 180 PPM. I used RO for so long and wanted to get away from all the waste and having to change filters. My water bill went WAY down after dropping the RO and I sure don't miss changing the filters, thats a fucking headache.

With RO water I was using 5 ml per gallon of the calimagic. With my tap I have settled on 2ml calimagic and 0.33 grams of epsom salt per gallon along with my base nutes. Yours may vary depending on how much calcium and magnesium is in your water.

I would use RO if my tap water was much higher in PPM.

You are in Michigan, are you concerned with heavy metals in your tap water where you are located?

I’d like to look into getting it tested to see a break down. Where I’m located I’m not worried about hazardous water like Flint but I was curious it makes much a difference to filter or not.

 

[Renfro]

I’d like to look into getting it tested to see a break down. Where I’m located I’m not worried about hazardous water like Flint but I was curious it makes much a difference to filter or not.

I have had stellar results since switching to tap water. If my water had much higher PPM then I would want the RO filter. If my water had lead or other heavy metals I would want an RO filter. In many cases tap water is just fine and you can save a little money on the calmag since you don't need as much if any. I was seeing some strains show a little bit of a calcium deficiency with the tap water so I added a little calimagic and reduced the epsom. I was running the tap initially with 0 calimagic and 1 gram per gallon epsom, now it's 2ml calimagic and 0.33 grams epsom.

 

[Nizza]

I’d like to look into getting it tested to see a break down. Where I’m located I’m not worried about hazardous water like Flint but I was curious it makes much a difference to filter or not.

if you have "town" or "city" water there are free reports

if you are doing well water and whatnot it is different