Water: The Most Essential Compound

thewanderingjack

thewanderingjack

Well-Known Member
So much fuss... obviously the better the water the better you can grow your plants... at the same time, like all other aspects of growing... cannabis is very forgiving.

Yes, severe problems with your water can have truly terrible effects on your plants, as it can on your body (even showering in really "hard" water dries up the skin, much less drinking it), but small level of contaminants is "ok."

I use straight city water, I don't even wait for the chlorine to evaporate. I know I have a significant mineral/salt content in my water because I've put a cup of it on my heater and seen the residue. I know there's chlorine and flourine... not sure what else might be added plus in the pipes... my plants are doing well (considering all the other issues they've faced,,, like temps in the 50s-60s).

So far the one plant I harvested was great (despite being harvested early, only 6 weeks veg, 4 weeks flowers... got almost 1/2 oz)... no harsh taste or anything like that (despite a quick dry/no cure and slight Nitrogen burn from my last feeding).

Certainly use the best resources that you can... it never hurts (except it seems people who try too hard can spend A LOT more money and encounter more problems), and though I would agree that the best resources will get you the best product... you can grow great bud even with less than ideal conditions.

For my next grow I plan to use rain/collected fog water as much as possible, as my area gets a lot, both for plant health and because it'll save me a few bucks.
 
Douglas.Curtis

Douglas.Curtis

Well-Known Member
I've used reverse osmosis water in hydroponics for 15+ years. I cook with it, drink it and use it for drinking water for my pets.

It's the only water I'll use with hydro due to it being clean and not affecting pH. Clean hydro starts with r/o clean water.
 
4nikator

4nikator

Active Member
Is rain a good source of water?

My tap water is 7.6 and my rain barrel water is 6.8 to 7.0. Now misting and watering with rain and wonder if it is best source?
 
L

Loudpakker219

New Member
doc111 said:
Now that we've discussed the different types of water purification growers use I want to talk about some of the myths and facts about water.

A lot of people let their water sit out for a period of time, usually 24 hrs to a few days. Some people run an airstone in their water as they are letting it sit. This does a couple of things. Chlorine evaporates out of water pretty quickly since chlorine is a gas at room temp. An airstone can help this chlorine evaporate a little quicker and oxygenates the water at the same time. Letting water sit out doesn't do much to eliminate Chloramine. Chloramine is a newer chemical used to treat municipal water supplies. It's basically a combination of Chlorine and Ammonia. It doesn't evaporate so filtering with a brita or some other type of carbon filter is necessary to remove it. Reverse osmosis also removes chloramine.

Hard water is another problem many of us face. As discussed previously, hard water is basically dissolved Calcium and Magnesium ions. But these are elements needed by our plants you say. This is true but the problem is we don't really know how much of these elements are in our water. Too much of either can cause problems as well. You won't see it after one watering but over time these elements can build up in your soil or other medium and cause lockouts and all sorts of problems. You cannot reduce the hardness of water with a brita or similar carbon water filter. You can reduce water hardness by boiling it but how much it reduces the hardness is not clear and without proper laboratory testing equipment it is near impossible to know what and how much gets left behind. Steam distillation and reverse osmosis are the best methods for removing dissolved solids in water.

Why do I care how hard or pure my water is? Most of us don't give it a second thought, whether we are drinking it ourselves or watering our plants. In simple terms, the more "junk" that's in your water the less useable nutrients the plant will be able to take up through the roots. This is especially of concern to hydroponic growers.

It's also important to note that the hardness of your water can change dramatically throughout the year. For example, my municipal water supply is drawn from 4 different sources depending on the time of year and amount of rainfall. The sources municpal water companies draw from vary from wells to reservoirs so the water quality may not remain consistent depending on where the water is coming from. If using municipal tapwater it's not a bad idea to request a water analysis from your water company. Most water companies are required to provide this info on request, free of charge. It's also a good idea to check the tds periodically if you use tapwater that is borderline in
hardness.
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Whats good ?
 
Nic Barlor

Nic Barlor

Member
Hi, I am looking to buy a 2-stage water deionizer that pushes my water through a carbon filter and then some "resin" filter.
The seller says the water comes out at around 6.8 pH, that I can get up to 10L/h (2.64 gal/h) from the filter, and that the deionizing filter can handle up to 350L of water before needing to be replaced.

My city's tap water isn't really that hard (never measured the EC/TDS, but I don't have a lot/any mineral deposits in my sinks/shower).
Would this be a worthy investment (for $34.40 + shipping) for watering plants in coco-coir? Would I have to give the plants a CalMag supplement at some point? Would I have to give them CalMag regardless of deionization?

Thanks in advance for helpin' out a noob!
 
A.K.A. Overgrowem

A.K.A. Overgrowem

Well-Known Member
Nic Barlor said:
Hi, I am looking to buy a 2-stage water deionizer that pushes my water through a carbon filter and then some "resin" filter.
The seller says the water comes out at around 6.8 pH, that I can get up to 10L/h (2.64 gal/h) from the filter, and that the deionizing filter can handle up to 350L of water before needing to be replaced.

My city's tap water isn't really that hard (never measured the EC/TDS, but I don't have a lot/any mineral deposits in my sinks/shower).
Would this be a worthy investment (for $34.40 + shipping) for watering plants in coco-coir? Would I have to give the plants a CalMag supplement at some point? Would I have to give them CalMag regardless of deionization?

Thanks in advance for helpin' out a noob!
Click to expand...
Rain.
 
Nic Barlor

Nic Barlor

Member
A.K.A. Overgrowem said:
Rain.
Click to expand...
Okay, I live in an apartment with a 4'/5' deep balcony, so I could theoretically put a big 200L (or a 50L) plastic drum out there and create a rainwater collecting system, but what about when it doesn't rain?
The upcoming summer months here are very wet, but that still doesn't assure me a water supply during the drier winter months.

Edit: thanks for the tip.
 
A.K.A. Overgrowem

A.K.A. Overgrowem

Well-Known Member
Nic Barlor said:
Okay, I live in an apartment with a 4'/5' deep balcony, so I could theoretically put a big 200L (or a 50L) plastic drum out there and create a rainwater collecting system, but what about when it doesn't rain?
The upcoming summer months here are very wet, but that still doesn't assure me a water supply during the drier winter months.

Edit: thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...
That is when I fill in with $.25 a gal. RO. water from a machine
Nic Barlor said:
Hi, I am looking to buy a 2-stage water deionizer that pushes my water through a carbon filter and then some "resin" filter.
The seller says the water comes out at around 6.8 pH, that I can get up to 10L/h (2.64 gal/h) from the filter, and that the deionizing filter can handle up to 350L of water before needing to be replaced.

My city's tap water isn't really that hard (never measured the EC/TDS, but I don't have a lot/any mineral deposits in my sinks/shower).
Would this be a worthy investment (for $34.40 + shipping) for watering plants in coco-coir? Would I have to give the plants a CalMag supplement at some point? Would I have to give them CalMag regardless of deionization?

Thanks in advance for helpin' out a noob!
Click to expand...
I grow in soil, that said. I use good ferts and depending on strain often do not have to supplement with cal.-mag.. Using RO. water with brand X Fertz. I would say needing to supplement is more probable than not (watch your plants closely). Untested tap water can fool U, tap water leaves no build up in my area, yet tests out at above 380 ppm. I collect all the rain water I can/need for my 2 plant grow, at any storm. I store it in larger dark wine bottles with corks ( I got from a resteraunt ) in dark under kitchen counter. Good luck.
 
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Nic Barlor

Nic Barlor

Member
Rrog said:
If you can't use your municipal water, get a simple RO system.
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I've looked into that, but I can't find a new RO system for under $250 or even used for under $188 where I live. Plus, my budget can't really accommodate one. :/

A.K.A. Overgrowem said:
That is when I fill in with $.25 a gal. RO. water from a machine

I grow in soil, that said. I use good ferts and depending on strain often do not have to supplement with cal.-mag.. Using RO. water with brand X Fertz. I would say needing to supplement is more probable than not (watch your plants closely). Untested tap water can fool U, tap water leaves no build up in my area, yet tests out at above 380 ppm. I collect all the rain water I can/need for my 2 plant grow, at any storm. I store it in larger dark wine bottles with corks ( I got from a resteraunt ) in dark under kitchen counter. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Once I get an EC/TDS meter + pH meter, I'll collect some rainwater and see what I'm working with. I live in a very polluted city, so let's see..
And I'll test the tap water, evidently.
 
A.K.A. Overgrowem

A.K.A. Overgrowem

Well-Known Member
Nic Barlor said:
I've looked into that, but I can't find a new RO system for under $250 or even used for under $188 where I live. Plus, my budget can't really accommodate one. :/



Once I get an EC/TDS meter + pH meter, I'll collect some rainwater and see what I'm working with. I live in a very polluted city, so let's see..
And I'll test the tap water, evidently.
Click to expand...
All the crap comes down in the first 10 mins. of a rain. Wait a bit then put out your buckets.
 
Alexroller

Alexroller

Active Member
ΑΝΥΟΝΕ.... i have 4 ladies in flowering mode...i transplanted to smartpots...and i started feeding nutrients....i need help... do i feed them instead of watering...or do it water with tap water and then feed and then tap water??? i mean is there a schedule?? or can i feed every day like i water???

I also would like to know if i mix the nutrients with tap water or distilled one??? thanks in advance...
 
A.K.A. Overgrowem

A.K.A. Overgrowem

Well-Known Member
Alexroller said:
ΑΝΥΟΝΕ.... i have 4 ladies in flowering mode...i transplanted to smartpots...and i started feeding nutrients....i need help... do i feed them instead of watering...or do it water with tap water and then feed and then tap water??? i mean is there a schedule?? or can i feed every day like i water???

I also would like to know if i mix the nutrients with tap water or distilled one??? thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Read, read, read, You have a long way to go.
 
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