water treatment
- Thread starter jp89
- Start date
Nullis
Moderator
If it is tap water you plan on using then it should really be filtered either by reverse osmosis, or through an activated carbon or ionic filter. This is primarily to remove the chlorine/chloramines which would kill micro-organism in your soil that you want to be there to stabilize the pH and make nutrients more available/provide them to the plant. Filtration will also remove excess mineral salts that could potentially interfere with nutrient up-take. The contents of tap water will vary wildly depending on your location and besides chlorine it might include:
Reverse osmosis filtration systems are the most expensive. Some models come with activated carbon and prefilters to increase efficiency and extend the life of the membrane. These can remove anywhere between 95-99% of contaminates and to the best of my knowledge also filter out potentially unwanted micro-organism as well as fluoride.
De-chlorinators/sediment filters such as the Hydro-logic Small/Tall Boy De-chlorinators removed up to 99% of chlorine and 90% of sediment. These systems have both a carbon filter to remove the chlorine and a sediment filter. They are fairly efficient when maintained properly, the Small Boy for instance is capable of filtering 60 gallons per hour.
Table-top (pitcher) tap water filtration systems: notably Brita, Pur, ZeroWater:
Brita and Pur pitchers are smaller activated carbon filters with ion exchange resin. These are the cheapest units available and they do effectively remove most chlorine/chloramines from tap water. These will not remove fluoride. I know that the Brita filters are supposed to be able to process something like 40 gallons of water, then the filter needs to be changed. It is very important to change the filters on these units when they cease to filter efficiently.
ZeroWater is a five-stage activated carbon and ionic filter. These [allegedly] completely remove all dissolved solids in tap water, including fluoride. They even come with a TDS meter that can measure from 000-999 parts per million. I have been using mine for about a week now, which I purchased at Target for less than $30. My tap water goes in at 068 ppm and comes out 000 ppm. Even water from a Poland Spring bottle measured 024 ppm.
So far I am quite impressed, even though it filters very slowly. But, if it didn't filter slow it probably wouldn't be as efficient as it is. The filter is supposed to be changed when it starts to read 006 ppm. The manufacturer requests they be mailed back to them for recycling in exchange for a $5 coupon off the next two filters.
A note about all carbon filters: The water MUST BE COLD in order for the chlorine to be removed. NEVER EVER try to filter warm or hot water through an activated carbon filter. I am pretty sure that doing so could actually end up leaching chlorine from the filter INTO the water that comes out.
After you filter the water you can add in a little bit of Cal-Mag or something similar to bring the ppm up to around 150. Whatever else you add depends on your feeding regimen and the needs of your plants.
You don't really have to pH your water if you're growing in soil organically. In fact, pH UP (potassium hydroxide) may also adversely affect beneficial soil microbes.
- fluoride
- arsenic
- cyanide
- radium
- aluminium
- copper
- lead
- mercury
- cadmium
- chromium
- barium
- beryllium
- antimony
- selenium
- thallium
- Trihalomethanes
- Haloacetic Acids
- Pesticides
- Hormones
(Source: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html)
Most municipalities send residents a water quality report annually and that info might be available on your city/town website.
When it comes to filtration there are a few options:Most municipalities send residents a water quality report annually and that info might be available on your city/town website.
Reverse osmosis filtration systems are the most expensive. Some models come with activated carbon and prefilters to increase efficiency and extend the life of the membrane. These can remove anywhere between 95-99% of contaminates and to the best of my knowledge also filter out potentially unwanted micro-organism as well as fluoride.
De-chlorinators/sediment filters such as the Hydro-logic Small/Tall Boy De-chlorinators removed up to 99% of chlorine and 90% of sediment. These systems have both a carbon filter to remove the chlorine and a sediment filter. They are fairly efficient when maintained properly, the Small Boy for instance is capable of filtering 60 gallons per hour.
Table-top (pitcher) tap water filtration systems: notably Brita, Pur, ZeroWater:
Brita and Pur pitchers are smaller activated carbon filters with ion exchange resin. These are the cheapest units available and they do effectively remove most chlorine/chloramines from tap water. These will not remove fluoride. I know that the Brita filters are supposed to be able to process something like 40 gallons of water, then the filter needs to be changed. It is very important to change the filters on these units when they cease to filter efficiently.
ZeroWater is a five-stage activated carbon and ionic filter. These [allegedly] completely remove all dissolved solids in tap water, including fluoride. They even come with a TDS meter that can measure from 000-999 parts per million. I have been using mine for about a week now, which I purchased at Target for less than $30. My tap water goes in at 068 ppm and comes out 000 ppm. Even water from a Poland Spring bottle measured 024 ppm.
So far I am quite impressed, even though it filters very slowly. But, if it didn't filter slow it probably wouldn't be as efficient as it is. The filter is supposed to be changed when it starts to read 006 ppm. The manufacturer requests they be mailed back to them for recycling in exchange for a $5 coupon off the next two filters.
A note about all carbon filters: The water MUST BE COLD in order for the chlorine to be removed. NEVER EVER try to filter warm or hot water through an activated carbon filter. I am pretty sure that doing so could actually end up leaching chlorine from the filter INTO the water that comes out.
After you filter the water you can add in a little bit of Cal-Mag or something similar to bring the ppm up to around 150. Whatever else you add depends on your feeding regimen and the needs of your plants.
You don't really have to pH your water if you're growing in soil organically. In fact, pH UP (potassium hydroxide) may also adversely affect beneficial soil microbes.
mushroom head
Well-Known Member
Personally if im growing in soil I just use rainwater. Get some rainbarrels in your back yard to collect rainwater, if you run out, go to a dugout and collect a few gallons to water your girls untill more rain comes.
10jed
Active Member
I just fill a 5 gal bucket with tap water and let it sit for min 24 hrs to declorinate with no problems ever. My town has good water though. And if you set up your organics right you shouldn't really need to worry about PH. In organic soil, from what I have read, a ph fluctuation is normal and necessary. Lime is a big part of all of that happening though.
Jed
Jed
mushroom head
Well-Known Member
Yeah I have never tested Ph and have healthy plants. I do use all organics. I should have added lime to the soil though, def will next year.
Nullis
Moderator
If your town uses just plain old chlorine to disinfect then this is fine. However, water treatment centers are increasingly using chloramine as a secondary disinfectant. Chloramine lacks the strong odor that 'free chlorine' possesses and does not evaporate easily. You may be able to tell if there are high levels of chloramine if there is a greenish cast to the water when in a white bucket.
10jed
Active Member
Good to know. I just went back through my municipalities water report and no chloramine. Chlorine is at a median of 1.4MG per litre and highest level detected in 2009 was 1.95 mg/L. That is probably pretty low. Most of the disinfecting of my local supply is done using ozone gas. There were a lot of people getting sick from the water here some years back so they updated the facility about 8 or 10 years ago and I believe we are probably among the best in the country from a health/safety standard. They tell us that anyways!!!
Jed
Stoneshield
Active Member
its not just clorine/clorimide ur have to worry about. hard water can lockout and or curl ur leaves. to much cal and iron