Do Water Filters Remove Calcium?

[GiovanniJones]

Hey y'all, I'm still a newb at all this and in the middle of my third grow.

I noticed something on one plant that hasn't happened to me before. It looks like for the first time I'm having a calcium deficiency in one plant. Of 18 plants in my grow room, I have one Purple Urkle and it's the only one that's showing it. I'm trying to troubleshoot why and these are the reasons I could come up with:

1. The water pH is off.
2. My soil doesn't have enough calcium in it.
3. Purple Urkle is a calcium hog and needs a little more than the other plants in the room.
4. My water filter (this one) might be filtering calcium out of my water.

#4 is my concern. My question here isn't for help troubleshooting because I've already posted it to the troubleshooting forum. I'm just wondering if inline water filters typically remove calcium out of the water. If that's the case, to hell with the filter.....I'd rather just use straight tap water. It hasn't done me wrong in the past.

What are your thoughts on this? I did post a pic here if it helps to see it.

Thanks.

 

[J232]

I’m pretty sure that’s a heavy metal/chlorine filter, sediment filter. Check your ppm before and after, will tell you. Most the ppm is prob calcium. My water is 250 out of the tap, not much drop threw a twin filter and has 70-80ppm of calcium. You would need a RO membrane as far as I know to start filtering minerals. If you have low ppm water, you will have to supplement Ca.

 

[Skuxx]

Are you checking pH or just wondering if it's off?

 

[GiovanniJones]

Thanks for that. The filter I have uses KDF 55 and KDF 85 membranes for filtering, and I've read already on a few websites they can remove calcium and magnesium. Here's a quote from this link:

How do KDF Process Media work?

KDF process media work to reduce or remove chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, calcium carbonate, magnesium, chromium, bacteria, algae, and fungi.
KDF media exchange electrons with contaminants, changing them into harmless components. During their reactions, electrons are transferred between molecules and new elements are created.

Not sure yet, but it does seem possible that my filter is removing cal and mag.

 

[J232]

Thanks for that. The filter I have uses KDF 55 and KDF 85 membranes for filtering, and I've read already on a few websites they can remove calcium and magnesium. Here's a quote from this link:

How do KDF Process Media work?

KDF process media work to reduce or remove chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, calcium carbonate, magnesium, chromium, bacteria, algae, and fungi.
KDF media exchange electrons with contaminants, changing them into harmless components. During their reactions, electrons are transferred between molecules and new elements are created.

Not sure yet, but it does seem possible that my filter is removing cal and mag.

Without a ppm reading your guessing at the best, that’s listing one calcium. Do a before and after reading, that will tell you if you need to use calmag. Cal or mag..

 

[GiovanniJones]

Are you checking pH or just wondering if it's off?

I've never checked it because in my organic-soil grows, it's never been a problem.
Looks like I might have to start.

 

[GiovanniJones]

Without a ppm reading your guessing at the best, that’s listing one calcium. Do a before and after reading, that will tell you if you need to use calmag. Cal or mag..

Is there something that specifically measures cal or mag?

 

[J232]

Is there something that specifically measures cal or mag?

Yeah but you are getting into scientific instruments and they can be expensive. Your better off to take your water to a hot tub store or RO retailer and have them test it if your curious. Calcium carbonate it’s not calcium nitrate or the other salts. I just saw you said organic, I can’t help you there.

 

[cannabineer]

Is there something that specifically measures cal or mag?

Not at the home-user level. But there are firms who’ll do it for you, typically by atomic spectroscopy.

Determination of Calcium, Magnesium, and Sodium by Atomic Spectrophotometry

web.pdx.edu

 

[J232]

You in Canada? Most cities and towns publish the water reports listing everything. That’s worth checking out, usually on the cities utilities site or city web site. No idea USA side. Regardless, google your city’s water mineral content.

 

[GiovanniJones]

Ok, thanks. Yes, I'm in Canada, I know that I can find that info for sure because I looked it up last year to see if we use chlorine or chloramine here.

I just read on the GrowWeedEasy site that calcium deficiency affects higher leaves that are exposed to light, so I'm inclined to think it's calcium and not phosphorus.

I hope that the Kootenay Biosoil dude gets back to me, he should be able to answer questions regarding the filters they sell. For me right now, this is an important piece of the puzzle. It's never happened to me in a year of growing.

 

[Skuxx]

I've never checked it because in my organic-soil grows, it's never been a problem.
Looks like I might have to start.

Yeah it's important for sure. Keep a close eye on your other plants too. I ran into calmag issues typically after a few weeks flowering, usually from pH issues, but also because some plants just demanded more of it. If it's pH then your other plants will probably start showing it soon too. I would add calmag the next couple waterings.

I have heard that a lot of calcium in tap water is too large molecularly for cannabis to uptake. But I don't claim to be a scientist. And I don't know anything about that specific filter.

 

[GiovanniJones]

Yeah but you are getting into scientific instruments and they can be expensive. Your better off to take your water to a hot tub store or RO retailer and have them test it if your curious. Calcium carbonate it’s not calcium nitrate or the other salts. I just saw you said organic, I can’t help you there.

That was a really helpful comment. I just checked the local water quality report and we seem to use calcium carbonate here, the same type of calcium that KDF filters seem to remove.

 

[cannabineer]

You in Canada? Most cities and towns publish the water reports listing everything. That’s worth checking out, usually on the cities utilities site or city web site. No idea USA side. Regardless, google your city’s water mineral content.

Indeed, with those numbers our brave phytonaut can calculate if the elements in question have been affected by this filter.

My gut call is no. KDF works on a galvanic principle, and those ions are rock-stable in a very broad range of electrochemical conditions.

 

[J232]

Ok, thanks. Yes, I'm in Canada, I know that I can find that info for sure because I looked it up last year to see if we use chlorine or chloramine here.

I just read on the GrowWeedEasy site that calcium deficiency affects higher leaves that are exposed to light, so I'm inclined to think it's calcium and not phosphorus.

I hope that the Kootenay Biosoil dude gets back to me, he should be able to answer questions regarding the filters they sell. For me right now, this is an important piece of the puzzle. It's never happened to me in a year of growing.

Concerning for sure, like mentioned I’m no scientist either, just my own experiences. Very well could be calcium, there is also streaking that could be another P issue indicator.

 

[GiovanniJones]

My gut call is no. KDF works on a galvanic principle, and those ions are rock-stable in a very broad range of electrochemical conditions.

If KDF reportedly removes calcium carbonate, and my local water system uses calcium carbonate, would you say that that answers my question? Sorry if I'm sounding like a bonehead; I am a bonehead. Still have so much to learn.

 

[J232]

Indeed, with those numbers our brave phytonaut can calculate if the elements in question have been affected by this filter.

My gut call is no. KDF works on a galvanic principle, and those ions are rock-stable in a very broad range of electrochemical conditions.

I had no idea how to say it haha. Like ones salt, and ones in tums..

 

[J232]

If KDF reportedly removes calcium carbonate, and my local water system uses calcium carbonate, would you say that that answers my question? Sorry if I'm sounding like a bonehead; I am a bonehead. Still have so much to learn.

Yeah but calcium carbonate is only one form, there’s nitrate, gluconate to name couple more. What @cannabineer said.

 

[J232]

CaCO3 and Ca(NO3) 2 two different things. My calmag has no CaCO3 in it, which is carbonate.