Those that collect rain water for irrigation, do you filter it?

ClaytonNewbilFontaine

Well-Known Member
I've read online that you both need to filter and don't need to filter. I'm using it for my pot plants so I figured I'd ask pot growers. I don't mind getting a filter I just don't know how much I need or want to filter out.
 

TaoRich

Well-Known Member
Major Plant Nutrients in Rainwater

Research by Allen, Carlisle, White and Evans, at the UK’s Nature Conservancy, measured the total quantity of major plant nutrients in collected rainwater over a three-year period at five sites in Britain. The following figures are reported

N (nitrogen) 8.7-19.0 kg/ha/yr,

P (phosphorus) 0.2-1.0, kg/ha/yr,

K (potassium) 2.8-5.4 kg/ha/yr,

Ca (calcium) 6.5-24.0 kg/ha/yr,

Mg (magnesium) 2.9-6.1 kg/ha/yr

Na (sodium) 14.0-51.0.
 

TaoRich

Well-Known Member
Water evaporating doesn't lift minerals, that's basic science.
True for water, evaporating on the way up.
Solids get left behind.

But water spends time in the air in clouds, and rain travels down through the air.

There are loads of air borne particles, and those get trapped in the droplets.


- - -

Research by Allen, Carlisle, White and Evans, at the UK’s Nature Conservancy, measured the total quantity of major plant nutrients in collected rainwater over a three-year period at five sites in Britain. The following figures are reported
Actual measurements. Doesn't get more practical proof than that.
 

calvin.m16

Well-Known Member
Apparently rain water is less appealing to plants, ground water collects minerals.
Rain water being evaporated there's close to nothing in it.
Rain water is basically natural RO, distilled water etc.. True this. Plants will need something added to the water or you could damage them.
 

ClaytonNewbilFontaine

Well-Known Member
I collect in buckets and only strain the rain
PH has always been on 7.0 when I checked.
Been watering like this for ages.
I was going to get an RV water storage tank and just leave it under my down spout. The 50 gallon drums they make specifically for collecting rain water are cool but I've got too many down spouts, and there's not any one that carries anymore water than any other. These rv storage tanks have pre-made npt inlets. Then if I have to filter it I'll just make a hose with a filter in the middle then I can just go to whichever one I want and drain the water out into a 5 gallon bucket. Here's the storage container if you're interested. Class A Customs | RV Fresh and Gray Water Tank | Combo Pack (20 Gallon & 25 Gallon) | RV Water Holding Tanks https://a.co/d/imqWOkc

Thanks for all the replies. I never thought about rain water being close to RO water. I assumed it had stuff in it it picked up on the way down. Not necessarily bad stuff. I'll have to look more into what is in it. I know what's in the water I've been using bc I got a water analysis. I don't have a very good understanding of how to read this report but on kis organics website they have a comparison sample report and from what I can tell, it looks alright. But I'm absolutely convinced it's fucking up my plants. If you know anything about water and can help with this please lemme know. I still haven't found what's wrong with this water. Screenshot_20221222_185824.jpg
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
I was going to get an RV water storage tank and just leave it under my down spout. The 50 gallon drums they make specifically for collecting rain water are cool but I've got too many down spouts, and there's not any one that carries anymore water than any other. These rv storage tanks have pre-made npt inlets. Then if I have to filter it I'll just make a hose with a filter in the middle then I can just go to whichever one I want and drain the water out into a 5 gallon bucket. Here's the storage container if you're interested. Class A Customs | RV Fresh and Gray Water Tank | Combo Pack (20 Gallon & 25 Gallon) | RV Water Holding Tanks https://a.co/d/imqWOkc

Thanks for all the replies. I never thought about rain water being close to RO water. I assumed it had stuff in it it picked up on the way down. Not necessarily bad stuff. I'll have to look more into what is in it. I know what's in the water I've been using bc I got a water analysis. I don't have a very good understanding of how to read this report but on kis organics website they have a comparison sample report and from what I can tell, it looks alright. But I'm absolutely convinced it's fucking up my plants. If you know anything about water and can help with this please lemme know. I still haven't found what's wrong with this water. View attachment 5241496
There’s nothing wrong with that water. Your problems lie elsewhere.
 

Oldguyrealy

Well-Known Member
I live in the woods I am considering collecting rain water and just have something over the spout to catch anything big.

I'm also thinking my water should be warmer.
 

Bongoloid

Well-Known Member
I've read online that you both need to filter and don't need to filter. I'm using it for my pot plants so I figured I'd ask pot growers. I don't mind getting a filter I just don't know how much I need or want to filter out.
I run rainwater in promix with added perlite,GH 3 part.I don't filter or PH check it, I do make sure I water correctly though. I would use it over any other water, I also have a well and if I use it then I have issues of too much salt even with hardwater formula.
 

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ClaytonNewbilFontaine

Well-Known Member
I run rainwater in promix with added perlite,GH 3 part.I don't filter or PH check it, I do make sure I water correctly though. I would use it over any other water, I also have a well and if I use it then I have issues of too much salt even with hardwater formula.
That's is exactly what I think is going on right now with my plants. Thanks for the info
 
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