Hi everybody so I have some questions about water quality. I’d like to use the well water I have available to me as opposed to having to lug jugs around every 2 days... So everyone always tells me “just go have it tested it’s free” but the big question nobody seems to be able to answer is what am I looking for in the test? The test is just going to give me numbers and percents right? So what am I looking for and what am I looking to stay away from I guess is my question. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
If I was in your place, the first thing I would want to know is the parts per million, the EC of the water. Numbers I've heard in the past have been 150 and below is usable. Above a hundred and fifty and you need to know what kind of dissolved solids are in the water. Excessive iron, calcium, magnesium? I am a total noob so take my opinion for the little it is worth. yomv
my opinion not a water expert i use city water and well water . for me as long as you can drink the water and it does not have an softeners it will work perfectly fine . a quick way to know if its ok for plants wash your car with the water do not towel dry see if it leaves nasty usually white spots if so then i would pass on the water .
Alright the ppm is at 180 but I figured it wasn’t just about ppm! Thanks guys Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
My well water comes out around 250ppm and I grow just fine well water has a huuuuuuge buffering capacity, so it may take A LOT of pH-down(phosphoric acid) I use about 100ml/5gal. Lol.... With all of my nutes and shit, My ppm is usually around 900. I've yet to see any issues.... I grow using drain to waste, and water each plant about 2gallons/watering 1-2 times/day to prevent salt buildup from high ppm/water softener... I'll tell ya what, you'll never have a CaMgFe defficiency lol. I also allow my water to sit for a night before pH-ing to allow for gas discharge and shit... All that can change the pH.... The leaf discoloration is a result of my flushing, not an unintentional defficiency.
Be wary of using excessive amounts of phosphoric acid to break water alkalinity, very easy to form calcium phopshate when carobonate -> bicarbonate -> H2o + Co2. You could use citrates more effectively. Killer plants, you're on the right track.. Also be wary of carbonate build up in the medium, more of an issue the smaller the container and exacerbated with frequent irrigation..even with the addition of acidic fertilizer you can establish a rising ph in the medium that becomes very hard to break
Calcium and magnesium levels in the form calcium and magnesium carbonate. Also water alkalinity level (the strength of the carbonate buffer) Camco TastePURE Water Filter (KDF) (2-Pack)-40045 - The Home Depot RO for the baller on a budget
My medium drains excessively well, I water 1-2 times/day with like 2 gallons per plant... I have tons of runoff, and I flush once, every week. I do that to prevent the buildup of mineral salts. Unfortunately citric acid is kinda pricy where I can find it, and the phosphate buffer has been more cost-effective and convenient... Haven't had any issues, yet... Thank you though, I'll keep it in the back of my mind, though