I want to use rainwater because my water here is loaded with bicarbonates and sodium and it's locking things out. But the rainwater sits in the 55gal drum for a long while and I'm worried harmful stuff will grow. The ratios they recommend to purify water are hard to find bc people feed h2o2 for oxygen in the root zone and that ratio is way high. I think 2tbs to a gallon is what I'd do. Any info would be helpful, thanks.
You local Wallmart may sell RO water at the vending machine out front, better to use that than some untested stuff in a barrel Many others go the 50/50 route and either add some or half from the tap to their RO bottle, just for the sake of adding in minor but essential minerals Keep in mind the soil will manage/fix/operate the Ph level in your soils, but the odd test with your tool will allow you to sleep at nights good luck
I'm really considering getting an ro filter for the house but I just spent all this time and energy setting up the rain barrels. I had been mixing ro water (from Walmart) with my well water but the well water isn't working out. I think it's the bicarbonates and sodium in it. I'm not entirely sure. The price of water where I live went up 30% recently. That's why I stopped buying it.
Covering the barrel to keep debris and light out goes a long ways to keeping rain water in good shape, and prevent stuff from “growing” in the barrel. Cheers Os
a $2.00 fish pump from your petshop will prevent the water from spoiling? perhaps solar powered, for another $2-3 dollaaaaaars
I agree with this. Stirring works better to aerate than an air stone. When I was growing with a res, I'd use powerful stirring pumps instead of airstones. That was super nutrient rich water and it would be good like that for weeks. A couple cheapo submersibles to keep things moving would do wonders. Also, must keep covered or algae will come for you fast!
my barrel has never spoiled water, first ive ever heard of such, there is stagnet water , but spoiled , anyway if your barrel is out of the sun algae wont grow in it, if you have none you can use that water to blue in the face, rain from the sky is full of acid from our lovely habits and the soil filter it very well , id say better than any store bought water, you ever notice how much growth you have after a rain storm?also full of microbes for free, were i live i cant collect of what aint there, my well is 500 ft deep with the same deal as you have full of calcium, so i figure out how much rain water i need to take a ph to what ever i want it at and dilute my well water . the main thing to watch for with rain water down south is mosquito larva you see things swimming inn the bottom, that mosquito's waiting for the right time. now folks will argue to there blue in the face on this subject, but i read i think the right up was from ohio state university stating that are plants do require a small trace amount of clorine , that said i keep the larva out of my deer water buckets by just breaking off a tiny piece of a swimming pool tablet of clorine, about the size of a pea, that little pea size clorine keep the mosquitos from getting in my water , so look down in your water barrel , they want hurt nothing but whom wants them , i got enough to give away for a lifetime hahah. i also collect water runoff from my ac unit, come down off top floor threw pvc and right into a barrel it works just as well and i have check ph to find it has not only the idea ph but the ppm is at around 25 ppm, so i use it also and it keeps the ants at bay not having that runoff to sun bath in hahah
I have not heard of a submersible stirrer. But I will go check them out after this. Thanks for the info.
That was great man thanks. The barrel I use has a removable lid. I cut a 3x5 square out to let the rain in but I need to get a piece of screen to cover that hole. I bet you're absolutely right about mosquitos already being in there. I live in the south and I've already had to mow my lawn like 5 times this year, so that tells you mosquitos are breeding. I like the idea of the chlorine tablet piece but I would be worried about killing any good bacteria in there. I'm not sure if there is any or not though. I also installed a particular filter it's a 100 mesh screen. If that means anything to you. I don't know if it's microns or 100 squared per inch, but it's a fine screen. I'm hoping that will get any mosquito eggs. I enjoyed your post, thanks
in my 55 gal barrel i use a small piece about the size of a pea, aint much but enough to kill mosquito , matter of fact these swimming pool tablet dont just dissolve quick,, those i put in my deer water take about 3 or 4 days in a 5 gal bucket, so they dissolve slowly
I have a wood frame with a window screen covering my rain barrels. I have never had a problem with tainted water. Been collecting water like this since 2010.
are you in the city ? were do you all get these water reports done, im on a well every one wants to flood you with bull to sell stuff when you go to home depot or lowes for a water sample test, were are you getting your done?
