Fayman said: Man those are insane levels, both the beginning TDS and the additional TDS. Your TDS even with the initial TDS need not be above 1000 ppm. Contrary to popular a high EC does not increase the uptake of nutrients but actually nearly always decrease the uptake when above an EC of 1. You need to read up on osmosis dude. Definition: Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane from a solution with a low solute concentration to a solution with a higher solute concentration until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane. ie. your nutrient solution is not going to provide as many nutrients if the EC is high. Period.
Tru Dat. Well said and supported Fatman. I have been pushing my DM Gold to 1500+ but seeing tip burn. I backed down to 1200 and still have tip burn. Now working down to 1000. My high ppm might be one reason why I have not gotten root hairs on my lateral roots, the other I resolved 3 days ago by installing a DIY chiller via PVC into my root chamber where RH was hanging over 80%, now mid 50s-low 60s.
I have been using a Kinetico RO with autoflush for cooking, drinking, ice cubes for 8+ years. If it's important for me, it is for my garden, too. The Merlin seems like a good RO, but I have no persoanl experience
hth