I’ve a question about hard water in preparation for a new grow. Local water where I am is VERY hard. Just measured it at 420ppm. Specific readings include:
I’m not sure I’ve included all the values required to make a judgement on this–it’ll only be my third grow! More values can be supplied if needed.
My question is: what tips to folks have in terms of best watering practices based on the local water here? Ideally something not too expensive–I’m not quite up for RO systems and all that. I suppose a Brita water filter thing won’t do much?
I’ll be using these organic products as fertilizer, btw.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate your advice and suggestions!
Is your water from a well or city water? Also remember your environment is your terroir. Although your water is hard your plants will adjust to it. We can add things to better our grow but in the end nature is always the best. Try looking into living soil, it might open up a few other options.
There is no absolute answer that will fit every situation. Not all of the minerals in your water will be plant available but some could and probably will be. Depending on the contents of fertilizer you use it may or may not be an issue. You could very well run a grow or two without issue and then later have an issue, or never.
A brita filter would knock this down but they are kind of slow and pricey for what you get out of them. You would probably be better off installing some sort of inline filtration device. They make these to handle your entire home or smaller units intended for point of use application. You can even get devices that screw onto the end of a garden hose.
Does your home have a water softener? There is usually a point that supplies untreated water or a bypass near the softener. If this applies to you, you can try the untreated water too.
I’m dealing with those numbers. I just had to adapt my base mix to account for the waters upwards buffering by removing lime from the mix and adding acidic amends.
In your case the nutrients you selected are very acidic. That’ll make available most in your water. You’ll be fine with your water unfiltered. You will need to reduce the Calmag usage to account for Ca, but would find the need to address Mg inputs with Epson salt or by adding langbenite amendment for moderate release.
Thanks @dbrn32! I don’t know about the water softener. I’m in a five storey block of flats. As far as I know, there’s no access to such things. But will look into filters as an option, thanks!
IMO If you have not had a couple of grows with your water, I would give it a go. If your plants do well, you are good to go. If not, you may need to address your water.
Hey buddy 420 ppm is pretty chunky but totally workable without buying an RO unit. Mix 70–80 % tap water + 20–30 % distilled to drop you down to ~300 350 ppm that is all most people ever need. Distilled is like $1–2 a gallon at the supermarket.
Let the tap sit out 24–48 h (or bubble it) to drop the pH a touch and gas off chlorine.
When you feed, use an organic nutrient line that’s formulated for hard water or just top dress with Gaia Green Earthworm castings and compost teas the Ca Mg already in your water is actually helpful for organic grows. Keep soil pH 6.3–6.8 and you will rarely see lockout. If you ever notice Ca/Mg excess just add a tiny bit of phosphoric acid bloom food or a spoonful of citric acid powder to buffer it down.Brita filters do almost nothing for hardness, so skip that. You have already got plenty of CalMag built in save your money and roll with it. Tons of us grow fire buds in 400+ ppm water you got this
Thanks @josephjohn , excellent reply, thank you! Sorry for delay in saying so, I’ve been away from this forum for a minute. Many minutes, actually! But will take this all on board for sure!
My well water is hard! I installed a 3 gallon Res Tank with Osmosis Filter under my kitchen sink. Sucks having to wait to fill jugs but the plants always look healthy. I think the setup ran me about 800 total.
