Maintenance flush with tap water

[dusto2k3]

i know the big worry in chlorine, but if say i mix 50/50 tap/r.o., would this hurt my plants. I plan on putting a light feed once all the flush is finished.,

dusto2k3 Reviewed by dusto2k3 on 05-04-2007. Maintenance flush with tap water i know the big worry in chlorine, but if say i mix 50/50 tap/r.o., would this hurt my plants. I plan on putting a light feed once all the flush is finished., Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

dusto eh, dont bother mixing the ro. Tap should be fine. What you are saying is really logical and the way to acheive what you are trying to do- get back on balance after a flush- is to end the flush with a 1/4 strength flush of your normal fert that you will be using on your next feeding.

[4x5]

plus if you leave the chlorinated water out standing overnight the chlorine will evaporate.
Very good advice there stinky, clean the soil; then put back in a base level of nutes

[Sk8orDie]

I put dechlorine-ator stuff in my water for about the first month, but since than I've been using fresh tap water and the plants don't seem to mind. listen to stinky, seems to know what he/she's doing

[razzapiggy]

You won't harm the plants at all if you mix with r\o water... I personally think it's a fairly good idea in fact! Do you know the PPM on your tap water? Anything over 400 and you should consider using some sort of filter and\or mixing with r\o water. You can buy 5 gallons of r\o water for about 2 bucks at most grocery stores. I bought myself an r\o system, but prior to that I was mixing the water as well. If your PPM isn't too high though, like stinky said, don't even worry about it.

[dusto2k3]

yeah, my tap is somewhere around 450. So i go to Circle K and fill up these 7-gal thingys from walmart. Oh welll i just used tap and then finsished with r/o water to wash all the tap out. Whatever, they are still alive and i got a nice flush in.

[onequickmove]

are your plants being damaged? i guess i wonder sometimes why folks jump to extremes; maybe you want complete control; suppose i could understand that; it's just funny to me when i've been gardening for years and folks are doing all these strange, expensive, and specific things to grow a plant

[dusto2k3]

I undersdtand and agree, but when iu did water my plants regularly from thye tap, they grow crappy and the leavs die off fast. Strange, yes, but i'm lazy so if i didn't find it really really, almost necessary, (i guess i could let it sit for 24 hrs, but i dont plan shit too well) i wouldn't do it.

[postmandave]

plus if you leave the chlorinated water out standing overnight the chlorine will evaporate.
Very good advice there stinky, clean the soil; then put back in a base level of nutes

I always beleved that if i left my water sitting 48 hours the chlorine would evaporate. but according to this months maximum yeild it will only get rid of some frre chlorine but it doesnt affect the chloramines or other contaminants.i always beleaved that leaving it sitting was removing all the chlorines.
there is a chart hear titled WHATS HIDING IN YOUR WATER AND PLANTS.
Since im sitting hear waiting for meds to kick in ill go and type it out for anyone who s intrested.

CONTAMINANTS source

PPM OF TDS well/spring municiple /city

Water with a high ppm of TDS(total dissolved salts) has unknown contaminants that is the key cause of nutrient lock out and deficiences in plants.

CHLORINE Municipal/City

Biocide that kills benificial bacteria,fungi and micro organisms.Any healthy organic or biohydro garden is chlorine free.If you are using or brewing compost teas or bio extract solutions, removing the chlorine is essential.

CHLORAMINES Municipal/City

Bioside that is a combimation of chlorine and amonia and is much more stable than chlorine.It will not dissipate by bubbling or even boiling off.It can only be removed by proper filtration.Itys toxic to benificial bacteria, fungi, micro organisms, fish and amphibians.

HARDNESS Well/spring/municipal/city

Dissolved calcium and magnesium that forms scale on equipment and tubing.To much of either of these in your water and you are locking out key nutrients to your plants.Your plants will be unable to feed properly and will exibet deficiencies.Pipes and equipment can eventually get clogged and fail.Mineral hardness is the key cause of water problems in hydroponics and other gardening systems.

FLUORIDE Municipal/City

A hazardous waste product that is present in all municipal water.This is a toxic substance to humans and plants.Thirty four emzines in plants are affected by flouride as is seed germination.Enzime additives will not do their job properly with fluoride in the water.

VOLITILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Municipal/City

Some VOCs are known or suspected carsogens.Trace amounts of these can end up in plants tissues ,flowers and fruit.

IRON/SULFUR Well/Spring/municipal/city

Water containing iron or sulfur may have a metalic taste and an offensive odour.Nutrient lock out,algae growth and equipment staning can be a result of to much iron in the water.

PESTICIDES/HERBICIDES Well/Spring/municipal/City

local argricultural areas may be leaching harmful contaminants into the ground water.These can end up in your water supply and in your plants.

BACTERIA Well /Spring

Local water sources may be affected by animal and human waste.These toxic substances can be found in trace amounts in fruits and flowers and can be harmful to humans.

NITRATES Well/spring/Municipal/Spring

Found in run off from agriculture,animal yards,ect,these toxic substances contribute to over nitrification and algae growth.They cause" blue baby syndrome".

PH Well/Spring/Municipal/City


Water that has either to low or to high pH will not allow nutrients to be absorved properly and can be corrosive to and can be corrosive to equipment.Adjusting pH may be difficult due to fluctuation levels.


Phew to much typing for a stoned two finger typer lol . any one comment on the accuracy of this info or is it just some one trying to sell their ro systems .the postman