TDS,Well Water, and Hardness

[Pothead4204life]

I was wondering if it was ok to water my plants with some well water...it's chlorine free and the TDS is about 130....and the water is about 8 grains hard (calcium and magnesium)..anyone?

[BOYZNUS]

I DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT WATER. THE NUTES YOU ADD WILL GIVE EM EVERYTHING THEY NEED.

GOOD LUCK

[mobay]

have you ever seen what well water does to a driveway? and how over time will stain your shower.

[Pothead4204life]

are u talking bout the orange rust stain?..i think thats iron and we dont have any.

[Jdog7000]

Plants can use all that shit though.

[bongerstonerd00d]

That will be awesome water for your ladies. They will love you for it. 8 grains hard should give you just about a neutral pH also. I'll bet the farm all you need to purchase is some pH down, or just use some vinegar if ya want. Of course test the pH before you add anything.

Thats pretty hard water as far as soap usage goes. You would notice a world of difference if you installed a conditioner, especially in the amount of suds you would get. Plus it would eliminate that soap scum ring most get unless you are neurotic about cleaning your tub (daily).

And you are correct about the iron. Clear water iron is what causes staining, as can sulphur. Once the water comes out of the tap, the air oxidizes it, and all the sudden everything is orange.

Here is a link to a chart that shows you the pH you want for soil and hydro. Your plants more easily accept nutes when the pH is correct as you will see in this chart. http://boards.cannabis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21560&d=1121829312.

Good luck,
b0nger

[Zandor]

If you use 3 part nutrients then make sure you have the Micro for hard water and mix the micro first. That is a little hard for young plants but they should be ok. Are you growing hydro or dirt farming? Dirt will give you a buffer where hydro will not when using hard water.

[Pothead4204life]

iam just using dirt..well, see we do have a water softener but i dont use that water b/c the water goes through an ion exchange with the resin..it takes out the hardness, magnesium and calcium, but replaces it with sodium...wouldnt that sodium effect my plant?..or is it a unsignificant amount?

[bongerstonerd00d]

Of the exchange, and thats a great question about the sodium. To be honest, I cannot answer it, but someone will be able to. I have the R.O.'s, so I guess I'll be safe to get my water from them. I'll probably need to buy filter carts by the semi load.......lol:dance:


b0nger

[Pothead4204life]

hey bonger where did you get your r.o. from? how much was it?....i priced one for around 100 bucks

[Pothead4204life]

does anyone know about the sodium question?

[bongerstonerd00d]

I got my R.O.'s from Culligan when I bought softner. I cant remember what I paid now cause it was 12 years ago when I built this shack. I've seen online for 200 and change tho. Probably able to beat that on eBay or someplace. Never really shopped around for em.

And remember, it can take 3-10 gallons of water to make one gal of R.O. water. Its based on your T.D.S. level.


b0nger

[gorillafarmer]

Thanks for the info Bonger

[Opie Yutts]

I grow in hydro, use well water, never had it checked and don't do anything to it. My plants do great.

[Zandor]

I make my own RO water and we have a water softerner installed that uses corse salt as well. There is no problem using that water at all to make your RO water for your plants.

[Pothead4204life]

yeah the RO removes the sodium, but i dont have an RO and just want to use the well water or the soft water but the soft water does have sodium in it......I think i just might use some bottle water to make it easier or cough up 120 bucks for an RO..thanks.

[Zandor]

yeah the RO removes the sodium, but i dont have an RO and just want to use the well water or the soft water but the soft water does have sodium in it......I think i just might use some bottle water to make it easier or cough up 120 bucks for an RO..thanks.

I got my 5-stage RO system from eBay delivered for 60 bucks last year. There is no holding tank like the ones that go under the kitchen sink. You don't need one of those anyway.

Just remember the RO process does remove nutrients and minerals that the plant still needs. So when you use RO water you need to add CalMag Plus to the water to add back the good stuff the plants need that the RO process removes.

[Pothead4204life]

I looked and saw that some ebay stores sell systems with U.V. Light for bacteria..since Iam on well water and it's not chlorinated should I get a 6stage with U.V.?.....if it doesn't have a storage tank, it takes awhile to fill a gallon jug i bet.

[Zandor]

Mine is rated at like 90 gallons a day. I fill a 55 gallon plastic drum and then draw off that. It took 12 min to make one gallon once the system is dialed in and you have the brine drip set up right.