Need an advice about hard water

Three Berries

Three Berries

Well-Known Member
Another thing is I don't think it is as crucial if growing in soil compared to liquid. The soil is quite a buffer and take on a lot of minerals before it becomes toxic. I have not grow in liquid but can imagine it would not take long to cause damage.

I tried straight rain water with nutes and it is no good over the long term grow, so the same would be true of distilled or RO. You have to start adding minerals.

Pure water is the most corrosive solvent on earth. It's why rain water is not 100% pure. Even distilled will pick up elements for the equipment. But it doesn't take much to neutralize the positive charge. Any added substance will do that. but then the added substances may also carry an electrical charge if they have any (think low or high pH).

So alternating with distilled then hard would also be a way to go.
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
Three Berries said:
Another thing is I don't think it is as crucial if growing in soil compared to liquid. The soil is quite a buffer and take on a lot of minerals before it becomes toxic. I have not grow in liquid but can imagine it would not take long to cause damage.

I tried straight rain water with nutes and it is no good over the long term grow, so the same would be true of distilled or RO. You have to start adding minerals.

Pure water is the most corrosive solvent on earth. It's why rain water is not 100% pure. Even distilled will pick up elements for the equipment. But it doesn't take much to neutralize the positive charge. Any added substance will do that. but then the added substances may also carry an electrical charge if they have any (think low or high pH).

So alternating with distilled then hard would also be a way to go.
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Alternating or cutting your tap with distilled is sort of where I'd be if after trying it, it became problematic. At the very least I'd. keep an eye on the runoff EC/PPM and if it starts creepin' real high do a few higher volume waterings with an adjusted distilled to bring the overall soil levels back into play.
 
Boreal Curing

Boreal Curing

Well-Known Member
fatality said:
The zero water filter is better
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Zero will bring your TDS down to zero, and Brita leaves 147 ppm. We only want to bring PH down a bit and you still need minerals, so that's why I suggested Brita. Otherwise, just use RO. But that introduces bigger issues.

Out of curiosity to the OP, why not just use a little vinegar? After the first batch you'll know exactly how much to use and it only takes a second.
 
DrOgkush

DrOgkush

Well-Known Member
Iv bought spring water for years before Tiny closet grows. But those 5 gal jugs. Those are good too. If you can get your hands on a 55 gal drum. And water pump plus some air stones and air pump. You can really keep your water and feed dialed in. Cost me around 45 bucks all together. However.
I’m not using it anymore My tap is fine and realized I was wasting my time.
 
Boreal Curing

Boreal Curing

Well-Known Member
DrOgkush said:
Iv bought spring water for years before Tiny closet grows. But those 5 gal jugs. Those are good too. If you can get your hands on a 55 gal drum. And water pump plus some air stones and air pump. You can really keep your water and feed dialed in. Cost me around 45 bucks all together. However.
I’m not using it anymore My tap is fine and realized I was wasting my time.
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Sounds like you're all ready set up for a healthy Tea.
 
Rurumo

Rurumo

Well-Known Member
A big concern for some people with RO is, if you have a septic tank, then 40% (or whatever) of the total water instantly becomes wastewater and goes straight to the tank. Some are more efficient, but not the cheap ones, so they are pretty wasteful and you'll have to empty your septic sooner if you use one a lot. It's almost always better to fit your growing method to the water that you have, if possible, than to alter your water to fit a growing method you have in mind. Whenever I move, I attempt to grow with my tapwater just to see if it's possible. OP's water might work with soil or Coco with adjustment.
 
Fahn2k

Fahn2k

Well-Known Member
Rurumo said:
A big concern for some people with RO is, if you have a septic tank, then 40% (or whatever) of the total water instantly becomes wastewater and goes straight to the tank. Some are more efficient, but not the cheap ones, so they are pretty wasteful and you'll have to empty your septic sooner if you use one a lot. It's almost always better to fit your growing method to the water that you have, if possible, than to alter your water to fit a growing method you have in mind. Whenever I move, I attempt to grow with my tapwater just to see if it's possible. OP's water might work with soil or Coco with adjustment.
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That's why I recommended the Cuzn filter. It will last 5 years with no filter change. No filling pitchers and waiting for the water to pass through the filter. I tried a Pur filter and everytime I changed the filter it would leak so screw the type that fits on the faucet too. I admit it isn't the greatest in the world but it will help make the water good enough. It cost about $120 but it's a five year filter.
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
Fahn2k said:
That's why I recommended the Cuzn filter. It will last 5 years with no filter change. No filling pitchers and waiting for the water to pass through the filter. I tried a Pur filter and everytime I changed the filter it would leak so screw the type that fits on the faucet too. I admit it isn't the greatest in the world but it will help make the water good enough. It cost about $120 but it's a five year filter.
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But if you look at the fine print, it doesn't reduce ppm:

The UC-200 does NOT reduce TDS or PPM Type Meter Readings. Want a TDS Removal CuZn Filter System? Select a reverse osmosis type filter system instead. To test the performance of a UC-200 type water filter system, utilize DPD#1 chlorine test strips and replace the UC-200 when chlorine breakthrough in the filtered water is detected.
 
chuckeye

chuckeye

Well-Known Member
My .02 worth !

My well water's ppm is ~500, ph of 7.5 to 7.8 depending on the season. Have not had it tested for ingredients but it is hard :mrgreen:

Last two grows was with ProMix HP and Advanced Nutrients 3 part, Big Bud, Sensizym and B-52.

It does take ~40 drops of ph down per 2.5L to get to a ph of 6.0 - 6.2

One Early Miss Auto in 2 gallon plastic pot > 13 oz.

One each White Widow/Black Indica in 3 gallon fabric pots vegged for four weeks > 16 oz total.

600w MH/HPS.

I'm all done spending time and money on treating/hauling water, much better to learn to use what you have.

I can't say I had healthy grows from start to finish, I have a tendency to be heavy handed with the nutrients during flowering and didn't back off till I burnt them, sigh.. But a 3x flush with ProMix HP is a breeze.

Just for curiosity (and ease of mixing), my next grow is with MegaCrop 1 part !

Cheers.
 
jeepster1993

jeepster1993

Well-Known Member
My water city water, but in a small town, from a well pumped up then treated with chlorine gas then to me. It actually smells. Thats why the whole house filter.
A pic of my filter after 2 months…
D39AB78F-D3D4-4B04-B0FD-74661469CC3D.jpeg
 
Maker Scream

Maker Scream

Well-Known Member
If you have an outside hose, you could get an inline filter, used for RV hookups. I’d put money on that bringing the ppm down to a decent range for really cheap
 
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