water quality question

[lilricky]

The more I read the more confused I become.....
In lieu of rainwater this time of year(Another snowstorm tonight), what is the best substitute? Purified,distilled,Brita?

[flhiker]

couldn't you melt some clean snow as it should be the same as rain water. I am not 100% positive we don't get much snow here

[justatypn]

You can melt snow but it would take more snow than rain water to make 5 gallons.

Depending on your enviroment as to the pollutants. If snow-watering is your option I would test the PH, appears it might have a higher PH (acidity) with an acceptable nitrogen level.

I am sure someone here at the OB can chime in on this one...mind you this is my and living in Fl all but 3 years, can't say for sure.

[Ross]

If your rain water is proper pH so will the snow. But snow runs from 10-15%, maybe a bit more, moisture so you'ld need 50 gallons of snow to produce 5 gallons of water. How long would that take to melt? My recommendation is get an RO unit - talk to Ray, he can get you parts for probably cheaper than you can get locally.

[lilricky]

Thanks,
While there is snow on the ground, we are not really in the snow belt here in Kansas City. I'll check with Ray.

[Ray]

I don't know what "purified" water means, but I can tell you that a Brita may absorb organic compounds, but does nothing to remove dissolved minerals.

Distilled is the way to go short-term, but is a lot more expensive than RO. I don't know what distiled costs to buy at the store (anyone know?), but let's assume you buy a 100 gpd system, replace the sediment filter every six months, the carbon filter every year, and the RO membrane and polishing filter every 2 years, and use 200 gallons a week (20,800 gallons in two years).

For the first two years, you have the purchase price plus the cost of two sediment filters (I include and extra sediment filter and charcoal filter in the original shipment). So your 20,800 gallons cost $204, or just under a penny per gallon. During each successive two-year period, you purchase a membrane, polishing filter, two carbon filters and 4 sediment filters, for a total of $81, making the pure water cost just over a third of a cent per gallon.

[kiki-do]

Not to change the subject, but I have all kinds of snow. We are having a beautiful snow storm as I type. This is one of those truly old fashion winters of long ago.
I would be willing to trade my snow for an orchid. My snow is fresh, incoming, white, cold, just beautiful to behold. Willing to trade. I will consider all types of orchids. I do not take responsiblity for shipping contents, however, this transaction must be "ship at your own risk." Any takers?????? Aw common!!!!!!!!
Kiki-do needs an orchid fix!

[lilricky]

Originally Posted by Ray

I don't know what "purified" water means, but I can tell you that a Brita may absorb organic compounds, but does nothing to remove dissolved minerals.

Thanks,
They sell gallons of purified water here. That's all my wifes Beta fish swam in.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by lilricky

Thanks,
They sell gallons of purified water here. That's all my wifes Beta fish swam in.

"purified water" is NOT necessarily any better then tap water - depends on brand, etc. Most "purified" water is either spring water of water from a domestic water supply run througha massive filter to remove chlorine, etc. Hard minerals are still in there. Get steam distilled water. Comes in 2.5 galloan containers in grocery stores and usually sells about $2 (maybe less) per container. Very expensive over the long haul. You might want to consider a RO unit sometime.

[dave b]

Good advice given. If buying jug water at the store, read the label closely. Only buy the steam distilled or RO processed. Ive found both at various grocery stores.

The other stuff is "purified drinking water". Its just filtered water. AKA tap water. Ive even seem some that has minerals added back in, to enhance the taste. Not what were looking for. Around here, a gallon of distilled / RO is about 70 - 80 cents per gallon.