RO Systems - Warning - Orchid Board

Ray · #1 11-20-2008, 01:48 PM

I recently got an ad insert in the newspaper in which Lowes had a "high capacity" RO system on sale for $147. I was recently at the local store, so took a look.

For one, it was rated at 40 gpd, which I'd hardly call "high capacity", but the thing that bothered me the most was that the sediment and charcoal filters were a proprietary design, meaning that you have to buy that particular brand to replace them (at who knows what cost - the store didn't have them available).

If you're going to buy a system, get one with standard components, as they are far cheaper and easier to find!

Don Perusse · #2 11-20-2008, 08:15 PM

Thanks Ray for the info. We all help one another by keeping our ears and eyes open concerning a hobby we all enjoy so much.

Ross · #3 11-20-2008, 08:41 PM

Some of us choose to buy from the experts for that very reason.

Aceetobe · #4 11-21-2008, 12:47 AM

Just as a quick aside, how do you guys water with the RO? Hand water? Storage and then a pump?

I'd really like to continue using a hose, considering most of my chids are outdoors. I've been doing 3 times tap water with the hose, and 1 time flush with RO water. But I'm tired of hand watering with RO, and looking for a more permanent solution.

nhman · #5 11-21-2008, 11:47 PM

I water by collecting my RO into multiple gallon plastic containers, then using those to mix each gallon into another container - adding fertilizer, etc. at that time. Then using a large watering can to actually water with. Time consuming but works for me. I would love to figure out a pump or other such delivery device that I could just dump in the 15 gallons of RO that I use per watering and go from there. Then connect the humidifiers. Ah, projects, projects. So, I'm looking to see if anyone has ideas too.

Ray · #6 11-22-2008, 10:25 AM

I used to have one 55-gallon drum on a stand above another. The top one had a float valve in it, and that was the pure water tank. It also had a spigot at the very bottom of the sidewall.

The lower drum was the mixing tank. I would add the fertilizer powder to it, then open the spigot and fill it with the pure water, from above. In that lower tank was a submersible pump to which a garden hose was attached. It was plugged into an outlet inside of a waterproof box with switch. I would recirculate that solution for a while to make sure it was homogenized, then water away (the water wand had a shut-off valve; stopping the flow momentarily without shutting off the pump was no problem).

That setup was fine for watering, but really wasn't usable for getting water to the fogger, for example.

Now my setup has replaced the two drums with a large tank for holding the RO water. It feeds a jet pump (with pressure switch and bladder tank), which pushes the water past a metering pump for injecting fertilizer concentrate, then through the hose. I placed a saddle valve on the pump line (pre injector) which goes to a solenoid valve then to the fogger. When the humidistat calls for moisture, the valve opens and the fan turns on.

Don Perusse · #7 11-22-2008, 09:02 PM

Hi Ray - It sounds like a really gpod set-up. And it also sounds expensive and a little complicated to the average hobbist. UNLESS you are in it as a business or have some really expensive hybrids etc. But the info was good for those are thinking of water/fertilizer distribution using RO watering system. Thanks. Always good ideas.

Gin · #8 11-22-2008, 09:37 PM

I use rain or Ro. water it is stored in covered plastic trash cans outside or on the covered porch .I use a submersible pump to move it into a 33 gal trash can in the greenhouse . 2 18 gal containers are used for mixing the Fert.they fit under a bench. There is another submersible pump in the green house it is moved from the 33 gal. clear water to the 18 Gal. with Fert .It has a curly hose attached to it . The mist hose is attached to a high pressure pump that is fed from the 33 gal clear water trash can . Gin

dounoharm · #9 11-23-2008, 04:37 PM

ok all you RO users out there, tell me why do you have to use one? i am going to build a greenhouse in the okla area, and the water is hard out there. will i need an RO system? what is the best to get, as far as usefullness/economy? give me all the info you can please! thanks, dou

Ray · #10 11-23-2008, 05:45 PM

Orchids - to a varying degree, depending upn the genus and species - can be quite intolerant of dissolved solids.

By starting with a pure water supply, you are in total control of the nutrition of your plants, and generally, of the chemistry in the root zone.

If you have decided that pure water is the way to go, unless your demand is fairly small, RO is the way to go.