Will hard water harm plants

I just started a new grow at a buddys house and realized that his water out of the tap is 240 parts per million.I'm growing in 20 gallon tubs (DWC) and also a 25 gallon aero set up.Not to mention 30 plants in soil in 2 gallon containers.I've never had this problem before and i'm a little concerend about what issues i will face in the future.Is an RO system my only choice.Thanx

yeah you have hard water but not all that bad, i suggest using cal-mag from any brand of nutrients. heres the problem, i actually read a article on this in maximum yield magazine. the cal-mag molecule from your tap water is too large and it is very immobile. Its size prevents it from being absorbed by the roots. These large cal-mag molecules then start to collect and create nutrient lock out where your plant has difficulties absorbing nutrients. Cal-mag by say botanicare, supplies your plant with a smaller more useable form of cal-mag. Calcium and magnesium are important to the function of nutrient absorbtion. i have the same problem only my ppm is a lot higher in my area. RO systems call for the same cal-mag product since your water source is stripped of all minerals and nutrients. so either way id suggest buying some. i use botanicares cal-mag and it work. hope it helps and i hope im not all over the place

Imatool is right. I have 350-375 ppm water and use cal-mag at the dose recommended and haven't had nute lock since my first grow. I also use General Hydroponics Flora series nutes with the hard water micro.

The hard water makes the PH bounce a little for the first couple of days after a res change but if you just adjust it at about 1ml of ph down/gal over time it settles down well to the range I want. I run 5.8 to 5.9 for veg and 6.1-6.2 for flower. Anything between 5.5 and 6.5 will be fine. You have a larger res than I do so your fluxuation should be minimal once you get it down. In hydro do nothing drastic and things will work out just fine.

Thanx for your imput fellas.I have been using cal-mag all a long so i quess all should be good.I Just need to keep an eye on my ph.Thanx

whats cal mag , what does it do add those minerals ? is this a must for tap water growing ? sorry to interrupt

Cal mag is a chelated form of the minerals needed to overcome the big chunks inherent in hard water. Sort of like the babyfood form of it. The plants can uptake it and you can avoid a deficiency that way. Cal and mag are sort of like protein in humans. It helps it build a strong structure so it can use other nutes.

Thanx Crazy.I quess i could also use Cal/Mag on soil too.Does it work the same way?

Soil usually has the partially digested cal and mag available and usually is not needed.

Telltale sign of cal problem is slow growth and a mag problem willl show as dropped lower leaves that curl up before dying and look dried out. Iron is also important to the absorbsion of cal and mag and they all related to one another as plant 'vigor"

If you see those problems on outside plants you can dose them with a little call mag and see if that helps.

Thanx again crazy.The soil plants that i was refering too are indoors not outdoors.Getting back to the tubs.Today is my 14th day of vegging and i'm about to up my nutes to about 500ppms (im using Botanicare organics pro blend)Since my ppms is 240 out of the tap do i just bring it up to 740?It makes sence to me.Just wanted to know for sure.Do i add more cal-mag than normal because my water is hard?
I have also noticed some other bubble heads logos while browsing around RIU.What does that mean?Just curious

Yes if you want 500ppm of nutes and your water is 240 then your ppm target is 740.

Bubbleheads are a group of growers dedicated to helping with the bubbleponics and DWC grow questions with patrience, kindness and understanding. We were all there once ourself and have a burning desire to help others as we have been helped. If you are willing to help and learn at the same time come join us! All you have to do is copy my avatar and display the badge as your sig or avatar. They were kind enough to recently elect me the chief bubblehead. If I don't know the answer to a question or feel the need for help from the others in anyway I just call on my fellow bubbleheads and they rush to aid. You can also get a 10% discount on all purchases from the sh site by using bubbleheads as the discount code.

Hopefully soon they will be expanding their line of product offerings to help save us a few $$$ as we grow.
http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/index.php