Getting to bottom of using with jacks with high tds tapwater

Nutrients
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Hi,

If you’ve seen any of my recent posts, I’ve been dealing with a lockout issue (high ppm feeds and a few higher-than-promix-likes ph). Got advice; I have since flushed, finally getting good runoff numbers (tho ph still high - I was told to stay course; it should continue drop), and planning to give her another full feed before flipping. She is in week 8 of veg. It took me a couple weeks to get to the bottom of what was happening…

I have read the threads I could find with any mention of Jacks 3-2-1, and high tds tap water (which I think is the tandem that got me into trouble). I figured maybe I could post my questions directly and get some feedback.

I have a two tank + salt brine tank water softener system on the water line into house. I just took a reading of 12oz of water: 367ppm, .77 ec

the outside water line is 407ppm.

When feeding, how should I treat the high tds starting point? Should I add it into my target ppm (1000ppm target + 367)? Deduct it from my target, effectively setting a new, lower nute target?

I’m getting confused, because I know there are existing elements in the water since it’s treated by the county, but does that mean I have to feed less nutrients to offset my high tap?

I’m growing an OG Kush photo in a 5 gal fabric pot, hp promix, silica, Jacks 3-2-1, feed until plenty of runoff. Temps and RH are dialed and controlled. LED lights @ 18/6.

I’ve stumbled onto Greengene recently, and seeing his omission of Epsom entirely, just feeding 4/2 (5-12-26 A, B). Since I have a water softener system with a salt brine tank, should I omit the epsom? Does that even matter?

@AfgVet @Myfriendis410 I saw you both had replied to several threads I read that had mentioned this topic, so any insight is greatly appreciated. I’m sure this is a worn out topic, and apologies for the novel, but I’m still very new and learning.

My lights are currently out, but I’ll reply with photos of plant tonight.

:folded_hands:

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With your tap TFS that high, you would have to deduct that from your feed ppm. So , to reach 1000 ppm, you would only be feeding 600 ppm of nutes, and the problem is you don’t know what the 400 plus ppm in your water consists of. You might want to consider an RO water generator, or buying spring water to grow with. That can get expensive and aggravating both with large grows. If you have an analysis of your water, that would help determine what you can give them.:+1:

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Thank you for the reply.

That’s what I was afraid of :weary_face:. Let me see if the country has that info posted/i can track down

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This was on my water treatment website. I have no clue how to factor in…

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I would suggest getting a small Reverse Osmosis filter system and run your tap water through it. That’s what I’ve been doing for years now as my well water is around 350.

I run it through the filter into a food grade 55 gallon barrel.

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I’d do as @AfgVet says, get the RO unit. That’s over 500 ppm according to your chart. That high will give you problems. I see it has high chlorides too.:+1:

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Damn. I was hoping a filtration system wasn’t going to be the answer. Welp.

I appreciate the replies!

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I used to get RO water from walmart at a fill station for like $0.35 a gallon. Cheaper then the $1.50 a gallon for individual gallons walmart charges.

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Check out Ebay or Amazon for an RO Buddy system. They’re not too expensive

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Some are very reasonable.
https://a.co/d/0fThpEsm

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You could also use a water filter jug.

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RO system is looking like the easiest solution for you. I do small grows indoors so its feasible for me to buy RO refills for $0.49. I use it for humidifier anyways. My softened well water comes out at 240ppm so i cut it 50/50 with RO which makes it last longer before i have to refill…but sounds like your water is treated so best just to not use it as is

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Thanks for this. Not too bad at all. I was expecting something much more $$$ and involved.

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My grows are super small, too. Typically only a single plant. I grow for myself/friends. I have a 2.5x2.5 tent, and it feels pretty tight with even 2 plants. It wouldn’t be cost prohibitive to get refills. At this point it’s about 2 gallons every couple of days.

I like the idea of a cheaper RO system, too.

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You gotta do what works best for you.

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I agree that an R/O system would be the best approach for your base water. I used the R/O buddie for years and like @AfgVet I would fill a 55 gallon drum with the water to be distributed out as needed. The R/O buddie is not as efficient as some but left me with very low TDS water: it just produces a fair amount of waste water.

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thanks.

Kept falling down the rabbit hole last night, and found some posts about water softener systems. I saw an old post of yours in a water system thread about the water in SoCal. That’s where I live.

And, I do have a water softener system on the house and was absentmindedly using the water from a tap in-line with that system and the plant DID NOT appreciate it, haha.

But, thanks to the knowledge here, I’m confident I caught the problem early enough. This forum makes growing (somewhat) less intimidating.

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Big facts!