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04-26-2023, 02:47 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Zone: 10b
Location: Coastal SoCal
Posts: 248
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
That depends upon what type of filter you have. If it’s just carbon (Brita), that’s removing chlorine and any organics, assuming you keep up with the filter replacement, and that’s of little benefit to the plants. If it’s a deionization filter (Zerowater), that does remove the dissolved minerals.
Distilled water is fine for your plants. However, operating a still takes a lot of energy to boil the water ($) and a lot of cold water passing through the condensation coils ($) to collect it, plus there’s the safety factor related to running a boiler. A unit with a small output must run 24 hours to do so, and is using a lot of water and electricity. For about the same money, you can get a counter-top RO system with a great deal more capacity. Yes, it consumes water for flushing, but to collect a few gallons, it’ll run for a shorter period of time and use. I electricity.
For example, the 50 gpd unit I sell uses a low-pressure membrane, and with my water pressure and temperature, I can fill a 2.5-gallon jug in about 35-40 minutes and shut it off.
One more thing: if you go with purified water, you should use a fertilizer containing both calcium and magnesium, as they are essential and are not contained in the water.
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Okay, thank you once again! So can I find the gpd unit on your website? (and what does gpd stand for, btw? X3)
I do have one more question. I am considering setting up a small sprinkler system. It seems pretty straightforward and inexpensive to set up connected to the outdoor hose fixture, even with auto timer and automatic fertilizer feeder. Is there a way to do this automatically with an RO filter (or distillation)?
Otherwise, I am guessing then that you would have to set up some kind of reservoir/bucket, with a pump, in a free standing system, something along those lines? I imagine people must have setups like this. If this would be the approach I'd have to take, what would such a setup be called, like what search terms should I use? And also, I'd really appreciate suggestions for d.i.y. setups, especially if that's the approach I should take.
Again...
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04-26-2023, 09:11 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,205
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gpd = gallons per day.
Most membrane capacities are rated with water entering the membrane housing at 65 psi and 77F. Deviations lower in either decrease the output, while higher increase that, both about 7% per 5 psi or 5 degrees. I use low-pressure membranes rated at 25 psi, so with my household water pressure of about 45 psi, I get a 25%-30% boost, while my water temperatures varies throughout the year due to it being delivered from elevated water tanks throughout the island.
RO systems are not “on demand” water supplies. “100 gpd” sounds like a lot, but that’s only about a cup per minute, and you’re not likely to water much at that rate.
Instead, the water is collected either in a pressure tank or in a non-pressurized tank with a pump for delivery for watering.. if that’s the way you want to go, you should go with a residential or growers system, as opposed to a counter-top one.
I’d be happy to spend some no-obligation time discussing details with you so you can make logical choices, but that is not appropriate for forum posts. Email would work, but a phone call might be better. Check your email.
Last edited by Ray; 04-26-2023 at 09:14 AM..
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04-26-2023, 12:59 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 18,654
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Ray, where's the Angraecum Web site whose owner set up such a system with your help? There was a good description there.
Edit: I found it.
Angraecums...
Look on the right side, at the list of posts by species. The last entry is Semi-hydroponics (1), which takes you to the article.
This is an excellent site for learning about Angraecum species, as well.
Last edited by estación seca; 04-26-2023 at 03:53 PM..
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