Those that collect rain water for irrigation, do you filter it?

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

I've read online that you both need to filter and don't need to filter. I'm using it for my pot plants so I figured I'd ask pot growers. I don't mind getting a filter I just don't know how much I need or want to filter out.

 

[Nope_49595933949]

Why are we filtering the rain?

 

[Star Dog]

Apparently rain water is less appealing to plants, ground water collects minerals.
Rain water being evaporated there's close to nothing in it.

 

[TaoRich]

Major Plant Nutrients in Rainwater

Research by Allen, Carlisle, White and Evans, at the UK’s Nature Conservancy, measured the total quantity of major plant nutrients in collected rainwater over a three-year period at five sites in Britain. The following figures are reported

N (nitrogen) 8.7-19.0 kg/ha/yr,

P (phosphorus) 0.2-1.0, kg/ha/yr,

K (potassium) 2.8-5.4 kg/ha/yr,

Ca (calcium) 6.5-24.0 kg/ha/yr,

Mg (magnesium) 2.9-6.1 kg/ha/yr

Na (sodium) 14.0-51.0.

 

[TaoRich]

I don't mind getting a filter I just don't know how much I need or want to filter out.

From what I am reading, it seems like people filter rainwater more for 'crap in the collection systems than the rain water itself. Dirty pipes and tanks.

 

[amneziaHaze]

i know somethimes when it rains my car gets dirty and somethimes it gets clean

 

[Fallguy111]

I would. I've heard about about it raining frogs and fish, why couldn't thrips and aphids get sucked up and rained down also?

 

[Star Dog]

Water evaporating doesn't lift minerals, that's basic science.

Evaporation and Accumulation

Pool water evaporates, and when it does, it leaves behind dissolved solids like calcium and salt. It also leaves behind Cyanuric Acid (CYA), and these substances accumulate over time.

blog.orendatech.com

.

 

[Hook Daddy]

If it can rain cats and dogs, it could also rain naners and monkeys.

 

[TaoRich]

Water evaporating doesn't lift minerals, that's basic science.

True for water, evaporating on the way up.
Solids get left behind.

But water spends time in the air in clouds, and rain travels down through the air.

There are loads of air borne particles, and those get trapped in the droplets.

Mineral dust - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

- - -

Research by Allen, Carlisle, White and Evans, at the UK’s Nature Conservancy, measured the total quantity of major plant nutrients in collected rainwater over a three-year period at five sites in Britain. The following figures are reported

Actual measurements. Doesn't get more practical proof than that.

 

[calvin.m16]

Apparently rain water is less appealing to plants, ground water collects minerals.
Rain water being evaporated there's close to nothing in it.

Rain water is basically natural RO, distilled water etc.. True this. Plants will need something added to the water or you could damage them.

 

[hillbill]

I collect in buckets and only strain the rain
PH has always been on 7.0 when I checked.
Been watering like this for ages.

 

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

I collect in buckets and only strain the rain
PH has always been on 7.0 when I checked.
Been watering like this for ages.

I was going to get an RV water storage tank and just leave it under my down spout. The 50 gallon drums they make specifically for collecting rain water are cool but I've got too many down spouts, and there's not any one that carries anymore water than any other. These rv storage tanks have pre-made npt inlets. Then if I have to filter it I'll just make a hose with a filter in the middle then I can just go to whichever one I want and drain the water out into a 5 gallon bucket. Here's the storage container if you're interested. Class A Customs | RV Fresh and Gray Water Tank | Combo Pack (20 Gallon & 25 Gallon) | RV Water Holding Tanks https://a.co/d/imqWOkc

Thanks for all the replies. I never thought about rain water being close to RO water. I assumed it had stuff in it it picked up on the way down. Not necessarily bad stuff. I'll have to look more into what is in it. I know what's in the water I've been using bc I got a water analysis. I don't have a very good understanding of how to read this report but on kis organics website they have a comparison sample report and from what I can tell, it looks alright. But I'm absolutely convinced it's fucking up my plants. If you know anything about water and can help with this please lemme know. I still haven't found what's wrong with this water.

 

[hotrodharley]

I was going to get an RV water storage tank and just leave it under my down spout. The 50 gallon drums they make specifically for collecting rain water are cool but I've got too many down spouts, and there's not any one that carries anymore water than any other. These rv storage tanks have pre-made npt inlets. Then if I have to filter it I'll just make a hose with a filter in the middle then I can just go to whichever one I want and drain the water out into a 5 gallon bucket. Here's the storage container if you're interested. Class A Customs | RV Fresh and Gray Water Tank | Combo Pack (20 Gallon & 25 Gallon) | RV Water Holding Tanks https://a.co/d/imqWOkc

Thanks for all the replies. I never thought about rain water being close to RO water. I assumed it had stuff in it it picked up on the way down. Not necessarily bad stuff. I'll have to look more into what is in it. I know what's in the water I've been using bc I got a water analysis. I don't have a very good understanding of how to read this report but on kis organics website they have a comparison sample report and from what I can tell, it looks alright. But I'm absolutely convinced it's fucking up my plants. If you know anything about water and can help with this please lemme know. I still haven't found what's wrong with this water. View attachment 5241496

There’s nothing wrong with that water. Your problems lie elsewhere.

 

[1212ham]

I'd love that water, mine is over 1.3 EC.

 

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

There’s nothing wrong with that water. Your problems lie elsewhere.

Thanks bro. I was told the salt concentration may be high. I've not been watering with any run off. I thought that maybe there was too much salt buildup. I'm using Fox farm nutrients. Thanks for the input.

 

[Oldguyrealy]

I live in the woods I am considering collecting rain water and just have something over the spout to catch anything big.

I'm also thinking my water should be warmer.

 

[Bongoloid]

I've read online that you both need to filter and don't need to filter. I'm using it for my pot plants so I figured I'd ask pot growers. I don't mind getting a filter I just don't know how much I need or want to filter out.

I run rainwater in promix with added perlite,GH 3 part.I don't filter or PH check it, I do make sure I water correctly though. I would use it over any other water, I also have a well and if I use it then I have issues of too much salt even with hardwater formula.

 

[wascaptain]

i collect my rain water also.

use a 55 gallon food grade drum. it keeps up with a small soill grow

i use a nylon sock to fllter , then bubble the filterd water till use.


i keep 15 gallons in reserve.

apx 35 ppm with ph apx 6

 

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

I run rainwater in promix with added perlite,GH 3 part.I don't filter or PH check it, I do make sure I water correctly though. I would use it over any other water, I also have a well and if I use it then I have issues of too much salt even with hardwater formula.

That's is exactly what I think is going on right now with my plants. Thanks for the info