Extremely hard water & its effects

[Ross]

R.O. is Reverse Osmosis. It works by forcing water through a semi permeable membrain. Regular water washes off the membrane for a net effect of using more water than it processes. This may be good in some areas. In your area, I suspect you will pay a premium for the effect. Why not just go down to grocery store where (I suspect) there is a stand for Culligen water and buy 2.5 gallon containers? Probably cheaper in long run for amount you would use. Just a guess.

[PuddleMonk]

Ahh, I see. Thanks for the explanation. I agree that the set-up may cost quite a bit out here. Especially considering that we may only be in this house for maybe another year. The area we'd like to move to (30 miles away) doesn't have these water problems. But I can drive a few miles to the nearest store and get those big ol' jugs of spring water for a dollar or so.

Thanks again,
Richard

[Ironwood]

You can get zero waste RO systems.

[markr]

I guess if you only have a few orchids and you don't drink coffee, you could live without one.

[quiltergal]

Reverse Osmosis. Filters out all the guck and leaves you with absolutely pure water. We used to buy RO water at the fish store when we ran a 55gal marine aquarium. Marine critters are very sensitive to icky water conditions. We no longer have the aquarium......

[Ross]

Originally Posted by PuddleMonk

Ahh, I see. Thanks for the explanation. I agree that the set-up may cost quite a bit out here. Especially considering that we may only be in this house for maybe another year. The area we'd like to move to (30 miles away) doesn't have these water problems. But I can drive a few miles to the nearest store and get those big ol' jugs of spring water for a dollar or so.

Thanks again,
Richard

There are Culligen sponsored water spots in most grocery stores where you bring your own jug or buy there's. That is RO water. I strongly suggest you do this, especially if you will be moving soon. When you get to final abode, invest in whole house RO unit (not that expensive). I have a kitchen sink variety (Culligen) which I rent by the month and it generates enough to fill 4-5 gallon jugs in one day - enough to make up a full pail of fertilizer mix.

[Ray]

Be aware that you will not be able to use your current fertilizer with the pure water source, as-is. It is unbuffered so will give you a solution pH low enough to be damaging to the plants.

You must either adjust the pH upward to the low sixes, or use a fertilizer designed to be use with the pure water source.

[esungirl]

Our softner uses potassium pellets, can anyone tell me what that might do to the plants, especially when in s/h? The plants in bark seem do be doing fine.