RO Water RDWC

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Stomate

Active Member
So given the amount of time it takes to get 50 gallons out of my hydrologic I’m questioning multiple things…
1- At just over 100ppm for my tap water, will I have issues just using that assuming that I will let it sit for 24 hours to eliminate some of the chlorines?

2- if I decide to run the ro consistently and it’s sits for a few days before being used will I have to keep the water moving in the drum (assuming yes)?

3- say I do use the RO. When flushing every so often can I get away with just using regular tap water for the daylong flush ( after letting it sit for 24 hours)?

Honestly most of the way I’ve been over thinking things but thought I’d throw this out there and see what everyone’s opinions are on the matter…
Thanks everyone!

Also- little off topic but should I avoid using things such as UC roots when first getting going (just beyond seedlings)?
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Stomate said:
eliminate some of the chlorines?
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chlorine isnt bad actually. and 100ppm is pretty good starting water. are you sure it's chlorine and not chloramine?

but RO water completely eliminates your water as being a problem. which is nice when you are starting out.
 
S

Stomate

Active Member
rkymtnman said:
chlorine isnt bad actually. and 100ppm is pretty good starting water. are you sure it's chlorine and not chloramine?

but RO water completely eliminates your water as being a problem. which is nice when you are starting out.
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From my understanding the chlorine will mostly evaporate off in 24 hours of sitting and the chlolamines will remain unless filtered out. To what you’re saying; I have read that the chloramines are more of a drawback than the chlorine but it was my understanding that both are bad?
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
100 isn't bad. Be worth getting a quality test done, to know for sure. I would before I started filtering it.

If you are worried about the chloramines/chlorines (and want water right away), you could just pump through one of those cheaper inline RV hose charcoal filters, or even use "reptisafe" aquarium chlorine removers drops.

I run a sterile res though, and feel that I benefit from all those additives in the city water. Its a constant 32-34ppm around here, so I truck water in from town in RV water tanks for free, much as I need.

Some people pay for chlorine.. And water.
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
The chloramines seem to dissipate in about a week for me, with the lids off. The smell finally go's away, so I figure its mostly gone. I wait a week before water changes in my aquariums, so I don't kill off the good bacteria in the filters.

Sometimes I drink the water too, and I can't stand the taste of it. I don't taste it after a week either.

Also, aerating the water can drastically reduce the time it takes to gas it off. 24 down to a few hours, which will happen in your res anyway.
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Stomate said:
From my understanding the chlorine will mostly evaporate off in 24 hours of sitting and the chlolamines will remain unless filtered out. To what you’re saying; I have read that the chloramines are more of a drawback than the chlorine but it was my understanding that both are bad?
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chlorine is a nutrient for cannabis. generally if you can drink it, your plants can too
 
S

Stomate

Active Member
Drop That Sound said:
100 isn't bad. Be worth getting a quality test done, to know for sure. I would before I started filtering it.

If you are worried about the chloramines/chlorines (and want water right away), you could just pump through one of those cheaper inline RV hose charcoal filters, or even use "reptisafe" aquarium chlorine removers drops.

I run a sterile res though, and feel that I benefit from all those additives in the city water. Its a constant 32-34ppm around here, so I truck water in from town in RV water tanks for free, much as I need.

Some people pay for chlorine.. And water.
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I’m really only worried if it actually is a bad thing.. maybe I misinterpreted what I was reading a while back. How do you mean a “sterile res”? Like sealed minus the obvious of filling it and not creating a positive pressure of air?
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
As in, no living organisms in the solution. Completely sterile, which the chlorine actually helps with.

Some people use beneficial bacteria products, and other organic based nutrients, which would be harmed\deactivated by adding any chlorine.
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Stomate said:
Any idea what it does for the plants? I read quite a bit ( though this was quite a while back) and hadn’t heard this.
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all i can tell you is that it's a tertiary nutrient for cannabis

some nute makers add it to their nutes.
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
Chlorine also kills the pathogens that can infect the roots. Fungi, bad bacteria, etc. Things that cause root rot and other problems that plague many RDWC growers.
 
S

Stomate

Active Member
rkymtnman said:
all i can tell you is that it's a tertiary nutrient for cannabis

some nute makers add it to their nutes.
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Any idea if these nute makers recommend RO given that they add it? As in could there be an over abundance of it if not RO?
Good to know though! Maybe my over thinking and potentially misinformation has me questioning more than I should
 
O

oldtymemusic

Well-Known Member
Stomate said:
What’s your reasoning for just a gallon or so here and there? Just to dilute a bit?
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just experimenting really. nothing is perfect here. ro filter is wasteful. when i got into dwc a person advised me to try one one gallon filtered per one gallon plain. with my nutes.
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
They also make nutrients designed just for tap water, which you probably don't need unless it was way out of range.

Personally, I would use the RO just for my own drinking water.

The thing is, the city doesn't test the water for some things that are actually high amounts. Like steriods, prescription drugs, mens hormone blockers, birth control, you name it......

I spend a lot on RO water to drink, and I should get one soon. 50 gallon unit would probably be perfect for making like 10 gallons a week in no time?

They are wasteful... but so are the people flushing estrogen pills down the toilet, back into the city water supply.
 
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