RO water??

[hobb3s93]

What do u guys think about using RO water ?i use only RO water (6.2ph-0 ppm) the problem i have is that it is very time consuming to fill and very wasteful (3:1) ratio i may begin supplementing some tap into my reserviors but i wanted to know if any of you have had increased results with RO

 

[dank.frank]

3:1 ro:tap

Still treat tap water as normal.


dank.Frank

 

[gregor_mendel]

If you really want to save water, get an analysis of your tap water, and tailor your nutrient to your tap water.

If you happen to have very clean water, it may not make any difference.
If you are on a well that is variable throughout the year, stick with RO.

 

[Dirty Harry]

Depending on your water, you may not need RO. I use RO/Tap mix because my water is damn near hard enough to walk on. If your water comes out of the tap at below 200 PPM, IMHO you don't need RO. Mine comes out at 650PPM so I do.
A mix of Ro and tap that gives you around 200PPM prior to anything should cover you for the macro nutrients the plants need and not require you to buy expensive supplements for the missing minerals.
I am a believer of RO use if needed, but I am not one too say it is required.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

My well water changes threw out the year. In the summer it is rusty. In the winter it is harder with less iron. So I guess I am saying keep a eye on the water you have tested because it could change with the seasons.

 

[farmdalefurr]

im w/ dirty harry. my tap comes out at 492. really heavy w/ lime n shit so an ro is a must for me.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I'm super sensitive to taste so I've always used straight R/O water in all my grows. Maxibloom at approximately 1 tsp per gallon and R/O. No deficiencies, nothing but awesome growth.

Should your nutrient regimen have less calcium and magnesium than Maxibloom.... you'll probably need a cal/mag supplement of some kind.

Stay Safe!

 

[OGShush]

RO to fau-shit

RO to fau-shit

I used RO for my last flowering cycle and noticed it was much easier to keep the plants healthy. However, I live in a third floor apartment, so buying and moving that much water is a hassle. My seed crop that is about 1 week in bloom right now has been all tap water, definitely not as healthy using the same nutrients. My tap water is around 220~ ppm, so I've decided to abandon the FloraNova for now and try Flora Micro Hardwater and Flora Bloom. Haven't gotten to feed yet, maybe another day or two.

On a side note, after reading my townships annual water report, I noticed that 15-72 ppm of tap water sodium. In the report, it states the reason as being erosion of natural deposits. I live in an area where glaciation occurred, so is this basically free trace minerals? Also contains trace amounts of Barium. I failed chemistry miserably, so I'm not sure what it means for plants. It is apparently the 14th most abundant mineral in the earth's crust. It also happens to be involved in oil drilling and a lot of that ruckus goes on around these parts. Any higher minds care to step in and enlighten me?

 

[cyat]

Its good for drinking

 

[Bonghitz]

I'm by no means an expert but I suspect neither sodium nor barium are good for your soil.
Sodium chloride is common salt (and you should take my advice with a grain of it)...barium is used for medical imaging in the GI tract (as well as for fireworks). I've never seen either one on a list of recommended soil amendments.

 

[Hammerhead]

I have used RO,RO/DI,TAP.. The RO or RO/DI needed some CAL/MAG for the PH to stabilize without huge drifts.. I never noticed any difference between tap or RO as far as health of my girls.. I used RO for many years I dont use it anymore tap is fine. MY ppm is 40 PH 7.3. That's good for tap.. RO units waste a ton of water. If you use one please make sure to collect the runoff and use it somewhere.. I bought one specifically for my REEFTANK since I had one I used it for my plants as well..

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I have used RO,RO/DI,TAP.. The RO or RO/DI needed some CAL/MAG for the PH to stabilize without huge drifts..

Glad to hear your particular tap water is ok... been in a few places without that luxury, including my current location.

May I ask what nutrients you were using with the huge pH drifts? I've never noticed that with R/O and full strength Lucas Formula.

Stay Safe!

 

[Hammerhead]

Just plain RO water with no nutrients in it. If you just want to water with plain RO that is pH adjusted I had to add a bit of cal/mag as well or the PH would be all over the place..

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Yes, that's a bit of an issue but nothing a tiny pinch of epsom salts won't cure either.... I'm talking a tiny pinch. Lot cheaper than Cal/Mag and no nitrogen.

Nuted R/O (at least Lucas Formula w/GH nutes) is VERY stable for me... always has been.

Stay Safe!

 

[Hammerhead]

Agreed but I dont keep ES arround. I have cal/mag all the time so I use that..