LW- "to evaporate unwanted salts" on number 5? You mean maybe let the chlorine evaporate? when water evaporates it concentrates salts.. Im sure you meant chlorine but I thought I'd clarify..

My personal 2 cents on #5.. If you have spent more than $500 on a hydro setup of any kind you better budget in $75-$100 for a good RO system.. imagine adding a 5 gallon bucket of water to your res without the ph changing.. thats what deionized water can do for you! As well as making nute mixing and plant growing without nute lockout a cinch. If you are planning or do have a hydro system try store bought RO water if you want.. its like $.35c a gallon at the machines in my neighborhood.. which I use to fill 5 gallon buckets in.. much happier with the home system though and it makes better water than the store bought stuff.. expecially the stuff I got at wally world.. that was at 25ppm baseline!! BOOOOO!!!