Tap Water - low yield?

[severian]

I have read quite a few threads explaining the benefits of RO water vrs. tap.
In addition to the ppm levels the added chlorination can be harsh to your babies.

But I would like clarification if someone could help. My water seems to be extremely good for a public system. We get our water directly from a nearby lake reservoir located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. I have used this exclusively for soil and now hydro applications for years - seemingly without problem.

My yields have been low so I am trying to rule out potential underlying causes.

My questions are: ppm are 15-17 - does this make it hard water? If the big problem with tap water is chlorination, doesn't the chlorine evaporate from an ebb n flow after 24hrs or so? With water this clean, are there other reasons I should consider for not using Tap? Also, if I were experiencing problems related to tap water, wouldn't these issues be visible in the plant foliage and not yield?

thanks,

 

[Vespatian]

We use city water, which requires a drop or two of ph down, and get great yields. 15 - 17 parts per MILLION is nothing to fret about.

 

[fatigues]

15 PPM is what some growers get after having put their water throught RO filters.

While it is impossible to conclusively state without getting a chemical analysis as to what, specifically, that 15 ppm is composed of -- I expect your problems with yield are more likely to stem from lighting, genetics, temperature, humidity, nutes or a myriad of other technical issues. Nothing you have said so far reasonably suggests that the water quality is to blame.

 

[Lazyman]

Yeah even if it was 15ppm of ROUNDUP I don't think it would be enough to do anything to your plants. That's a weak concentration of anything, even sodium would be safe at that level. It's probably not your water.

How many watts per square foot of flowering light are you using?
What strain(s)?
How long are they vegged?
What are your day/night room temps?
Got bugs? Or slime on roots?
Are the plants otherwise healthy, good color, balanced ferts?
Are you using CO2?

 

[slappyjack]

What are you using to measure the 15ppm? The reason I ask is because 15ppm is EXTREMELY low for tap-water, probably impossibly low. You should get higher readings just based on the calcium the water picks up in your water pipes, not to mention the water main.

Is your meter calibrated?

 

[severian]

What are you using to measure the 15ppm? The reason I ask is because 15ppm is EXTREMELY low for tap-water, probably impossibly low. You should get higher readings just based on the calcium the water picks up in your water pipes, not to mention the water main.

Is your meter calibrated?

I am using ZeroWater ZM-016 Electronic Water Tester http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CUNV1W/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

It is supposed to be pre-calibrated to 350ppm plus or minus 5. I tested my water from downstairs 15ppm and upstairs (more old pipes to move through) and it was 17ppm. I tested bottled water from the store and it was 26ppm. I do need to get another calibration test to verify, but I think it is somewhat reliable.

How many watts per square foot of flowering light are you using?
What strain(s)?
How long are they vegged?
What are your day/night room temps?
Got bugs? Or slime on roots?
Are the plants otherwise healthy, good color, balanced ferts?
Are you using CO2?

​

See, this is what I am doing now. Eliminating possibilities. I used to use soil under 2 400w lamps. I had to stop that and move to a more stealthy medium. So now I am in an ebb n flow under compact flouros in a stealthy cabinet.

Considering the only constant is my original genetics (well, no CO2) I can live with that. I crossed some c99 with skunk from Gypsy Nirvana about 8 years ago. My first batch from seed cross polinated and left me with hundreds of seeds - which I have used to start up again. The smoke is awesome - so if it genetic I don't think I will worry about the yield.

 

[foaf]

first thing regardng your ppm measurement is that you need to calibrate the ppms. 17 from tap water is just not possible, no way. something between 100 (great) and 400 is most common. they make calibration solutions for the ppms and there may be ways to mix up some salt solution using distilled water and an accurate scales to do that yourself, but you will have to search that one out.

If your plants look healthy except for low yeild, I doubt that it is from the ppms of tap water being too high. Usually if you have too high of a total ppm, you will get some type of nutrient lockout or nutrient burn and have visible problems on the leafs.

Bottled spring water, not distilled, should be around 70 - 100 or more ppms. Distilled water should be 10 or less, like RO water.

 

[Haps]

How old is your light bulb? That is always the first cause of low yield I check.

 

[robbiedublu]

I have read quite a few threads explaining the benefits of RO water vrs. tap.
In addition to the ppm levels the added chlorination can be harsh to your babies.

But I would like clarification if someone could help. My water seems to be extremely good for a public system. We get our water directly from a nearby lake reservoir located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. I have used this exclusively for soil and now hydro applications for years - seemingly without problem.

My yields have been low so I am trying to rule out potential underlying causes.

My questions are: ppm are 15-17 - does this make it hard water? If the big problem with tap water is chlorination, doesn't the chlorine evaporate from an ebb n flow after 24hrs or so? With water this clean, are there other reasons I should consider for not using Tap? Also, if I were experiencing problems related to tap water, wouldn't these issues be visible in the plant foliage and not yield?

thanks,

Are you in the Portland area? 15-17ppm is extremely soft water. I doubt that your yield issue is because of your water.

 

[SoloGro57]

are you sure you're reading the meter right?? 15 -26 ppm is low for tap water, but 150 to 260 ppm is just about right. It may be reading ppt. (parts per thousand) I suggest you re-read the manual! Everything may be just fine.

 

[robbiedublu]

first thing regardng your ppm measurement is that you need to calibrate the ppms. 17 from tap water is just not possible, no way. something between 100 (great) and 400 is most common. they make calibration solutions for the ppms and there may be ways to mix up some salt solution using distilled water and an accurate scales to do that yourself, but you will have to search that one out.

If your plants look healthy except for low yeild, I doubt that it is from the ppms of tap water being too high. Usually if you have too high of a total ppm, you will get some type of nutrient lockout or nutrient burn and have visible problems on the leafs.

Bottled spring water, not distilled, should be around 70 - 100 or more ppms. Distilled water should be 10 or less, like RO water.

I'm assuming he is in the portland area. The water is extremely low ppm here. I don't know how low exactly because it won't even register on my meter. It's not a water issue IMO.

 

[Vespatian]

Flouros. Yuck. That's gonna be an issue.

Dialing in hydro is a process!

 

[Lazyman]

Yep, it's your lights, never heard of anyone getting even decent yields off any flouros...

400W or better and you can get decent yields, but anything fluorescent just doesn't have the light intensity that you need.

 

[2fast4u2]

Not worrying about a steady supply of pure unadulterated 0 ppm water,,,Priceless.

(tho, if my waters ppm was less than 20, then tap all the way!)

Ro units take the guess work out of growing good bud, You control the what the plants get, to the "T".

Your water is not your problem friend, i would delve elsewhere and find out whats causing it, is your grow dialed?

 

[Wait...What?]

I have some of the best tap water in the country [great lakes] and it still comes out of the tap at 180ppm and a pH of 8+

chock full o' calcium and iron

im glad it doesn't give me cholera when i drink it, but my plants could do without the chloramine.

the crappy part is how it throws off the calcium/magnesium balance. using the tap water here gives your plants the yellow curl that crunches.

 

[2fast4u2]

my tap water is similar WW, its actually what i use on seedlings, for some reason they respond well to it.

 

[severian]

I have ordered a ppm test solution to verify my low readings. I actually live just to the north of Seattle. I won't be surprised if my water does read that low after I calibrate. So low PPM = soft water - thanks.

This will be my 3rd run with hydro and I am still dialing in. First I had my 400w in the cab and burned everything to cinders. The second, the one I am just finishing now, the PPM meter I bought previously was garbage. I thought my solution was 1500-2000, but according to my new meter it was over 7000. I think this created nute lockout cause my plants stopped adding volume at 4 weeks.

So, going to try again with a calibrated meter. I suppose this is how you "dial" it in, but it can be frustrating.

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

 

[whodi]

my tap measures 26 ppm and a jug of spring water bought at the grocery store is 144 ppm.. strange