Can I ask you your experience with feedings your plants RO water?
I’m still debating RO vs a single carbon filter.
The reason for going with a carbon filter vs RO is because it’s cheaper, faster to fill up, no wasted water, it keeps some of the needed minerals and still seem to be doing a good job at lowering the ppm (especially chlorine). RO seem to be more complicated, I’ve dig lots of messages on forums and many RO users seemed unhappy and switched to carbon filter. It needs more care, seems like it’s not so good to use with clones/seedlings and most people say it’s better to mix like 25% tap to get some of the wanted minerals otherwise there’s lots of probable deficiency problems. It always sounds more complicated than just adding cal/mag and you’re good to go.
Seems like 50% of people who used it swear by it and 50% had problems and regret buying a RO filter.
Carbon filters only remove odors and taste but not any minerals so won't lower the ppm or reduce heavy metal contamination like lead, cadmium etc.
The only thing 'complicated' about using RO water for plants is you might need to add a dash of calmag once in a while tho most nutrients and soils have enough of both but a ton of people seem to think calmag is the cure for everything that can go wrong with plants.
I have used nothing but RO or distilled water for over 20 years and that's all we drink or use for cooking and coffee making here. A filter to add minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and raise the pH of your drinking water can be added on but cost almost as much as small 3 or 4 stage RO unit.
I would not drink the tap water in town that passes as potable water. I've got the water analysis report from them and it's quite high in sodium, iron, alkalinity and a few others and close to 300ppm. The water where I grew up next to Vancouver, BC and we used their water supply was at one time rated the best tap water in north america and could still be for all I know. I'd use that on my plants no problem.
Using pure water means something else is wrong if my plants are doing poorly ans saves a lot of time wondering if the water is the source of the problem
All city/town water supply lines become coated with a bio-film inside which keeps the water from actually contacting the surface of the pipes that may be cast iron or even lead in older systems. What happened in Flint, Michigan was they switched water sources to one that was slightly acidic which stripped the bio-film off the insides of the pipes. The bio-film itself had contamination trapped in it for a surge of heavy metals then the acidic water began leaching lead out of the old pipes and poisoning everyone that drank it or used it for cooking or even bathing. Very bad for everyone but especially for growing children.
When a water source is below pH 7 usually calcium carbonate or something like it is added to the water to raise the pH over 7 to protect the infrastructure the water will come into contact with like pipes and pumps.
I'm sure your plants will be fine with your water filtered or not. Bacteria that could harm a human won't hurt plants. Think of what they are exposed to in the wild.
I did the math compared to the cost of buying my RO for $3.49/5gal and it will take about 6 months to pay back the $550 all the bits and pieces cost me. Still a lot cheaper than running the Polar Bear distiller downstairs that takes about 20hrs to make 10USG using a 1500W heating element that needs replacing. Cleaning that up and putting a new $100 element in then selling it. Refurbished in the same model are going for $1800 so should be able to get a grand for it. Over 3G new.
