RO Mineral Suppliments

[Dutchy018]

Hey all,

I'm getting this RO system:
iSpring 75GPD 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System, Model RCC7

Ouestion is what, if any, mineral suppliments should I add back? They sell inline filters for this exact purpose, just wondering if I should add one or not.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Calcium

 

[jondamon]

Calcium

DEFINATELY calcium.

Possibly some magnesium depending upon the % contained in your nutes. 2%-4% Mg content in your nutes and you shouldn't have to worry about additional Mg.

All micros should be found in enough supply within your nute regime.



J

 

[Dutchy018]

DEFINATELY calcium.

Possibly some magnesium depending upon the % contained in your nutes. 2%-4% Mg content in your nutes and you shouldn't have to worry about additional Mg.

All micros should be found in enough supply within your nute regime.



J

I usually use calmag ferts when needed in addition to foxfarm soil nutes as a weekly regemin so yeah I don't know if magnesium is nessasery here.. I plan on using the RO res for drinking and cooking water as well so this seems like a good choice, not sure if it has the desired level of calcium though?

iSpring FA15 10-Inch 2-layer Alkaline and Minerals Filter Replacement Cartridge-Calcite Alkaline

 

[Mr John]

I also use RO in my automatic coffee brewer, last so much longer as there is no scale build up to damage the pump. Flavor is better too. Oh and I supplement with calmag for my hydro garden.

 

[MOON SHINER]

I use RO with flood and drain coco, about 2-5 ml per gallon of cal-mag plus a pinch (latterly a pinch with my fingers) of Epsom salt works as a maintenance feed, cal-mag gets adjusted during peak flower as needed.

 

[Aeroknow]

I also add calmag+ @ 2.5ml/gal when starting with RO water. Whether I'm in coco, or any other setup I'm rockin. I also do this with any nutrient I'm using(and I'm always using different nutes)
I never experience Ca deficiencies(even in coco) anymore. And I never, ever, end up with the pleasure of dealing with those Mg hogs for strains anymore!

 

[Dutchy018]

I also add calmag+ @ 2.5ml/gal when starting with RO water. Whether I'm in coco, or any other setup I'm rockin. I also do this with any nutrient I'm using(and I'm always using different nutes)
I never experience Ca deficiencies(even in coco) anymore. And I never, ever, end up with the pleasure of dealing with those Mg hogs for strains anymore!

Hey Aeroknown, do you use a suppliment filter with your RO system, then add calmag+? I'm wondering when I should start, I usually try to hold off until a week or so after veg, but with RO water maybe I should start sooner rather than later, maybe with 1/4 strength? Also wondering if I will even need it if I add a Calcite Alkaline filter to the mix

 

[Aeroknow]

Hey Aeroknown, do you use a suppliment filter with your RO system, then add calmag+? I'm wondering when I should start, I usually try to hold off until a week or so after veg, but with RO water maybe I should start sooner rather than later, maybe with 1/4 strength? Also wondering if I will even need it if I add a Calcite Alkaline filter to the mix

I'm not even sure what those filters are, that you mentioned. I've never looked into them sorry.

If I have to use an RO setup these days, it is just going to be a 3 stage. None of us(everyone I know) use a DI filter anylonger.
But, I usually start with the
Calmag, a couple weeks into veg, when I really start to up the nutes. Like I hinted to, in my earlier post, I so very rarely experience deficiencies any longer these days, by doing this.

My tap water is only 50ppm(.7) at my house. I treat it as I would with RO, and it works killer.

 

[Dirty Harry]

What is the PPM of your RO water? (sorry, not an EC type of person)
My tap was 650PPM in and 30PPM coming out. I used Calmag for awhile (had to), but it was another cost as I have to have it shipped and pay shipping. I started adding tap water into the RO res until the PPM got to about 200PPM before anything was added. Then I did not need to use supplements. On topping up the res, I would top with tap every third time, but you may need to play around with that. My res was only 25 gallons so the topping up was not a lot and I did not dump and refill.

 

[Aeroknow]

What is the PPM of your RO water? (sorry, not an EC type of person)
My tap was 650PPM in and 30PPM coming out. I used Calmag for awhile (had to), but it was another cost as I have to have it shipped and pay shipping. I started adding tap water into the RO res until the PPM got to about 200PPM before anything was added. Then I did not need to use supplements. On topping up the res, I would top with tap every third time, but you may need to play around with that. My res was only 25 gallons so the topping up was not a lot and I did not dump and refill.

Without a DI filter, ppm is usually around 10-15 ppm(again, @ .7)
If cutting the RO water with your tap water works for you, I say sweeet i've done that before, and your rite, no calmag needed(when I did that)