Fish tank water for orchids?

[mheleo]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

If you can safely use the source water that you use to fill the tank, you can probably use water from the tank safely as well. BUT! The tendency of tds in an aquarium is to rise over time. The simple act of adding tapwater to make up for evaporation adds to the tds. Water changes are the best way to counter this, performed at least weekly. Even then, measuring the tds of your tap and the tds of your tank could prove eye opening.

should I only use 0 TDS to water my orchids?

[Optimist]

There would be a problem with goldfish and koi in that you are supposed to add salt to their water. Mollies also are semi brackish. I set up an aquarium within the past few months. I have such trouble getting reasonable humidity, so I thought, why not. It's a dirted aquarium, with nice nitrifying bacteria. I also use the blackwater additive which is essentially pete moss juice and vitamins like super thrive. It is a weak fertilizer. I see nothing wrong with using this water on my plants. It is not chlorinated I use something to neutralize any ammonia. So far while the plants have not gone little shop of horrors on me, they do not seem to be suffering any discontent. Time will tell.

[DeafOrchidLover]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I have to winter my goldfish indoors in their tub. I toss the mounts in the tub at night to soak. Those orchids are really thriving.

When I have to do a partial water change, I do water my plants with the water. Fortunately, it isn't too bad.

During the summer, I often add powdered milk to my watering can for extra calcium. It is another of those things that just should never be done inside.

How much dried milk do you add into water? I'd like to know... please.


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[Shep]

As discussed, it depends on the water and what's in it.

For example, I have a high-tech planted aquarium that I fertilize heavily and treat with a mild algaecide and CO2 replacement. Before I started watering the orchids with tank water, I did some research and found that the algaecide will also nuke orchid roots, so down the drain it goes.

Additionally, I add some hardness boosters to the water (my water has very low TDS- Yaaay!), so that would wind up watering the plants as well.

My $.02- If your PH and TDS are both moderate and if you're not adding additional chemicals to the water beyond dechlorinator, you should be good to go.

[mheleo]

I don't put any chemicals in my fish tanks except for the dechlorinator. Nor do I add salt Oscars do not tolerate salt. My pH is close to 7. So, I think will start using fish tank water next watering cycle and see how it goes

[Optimist]

If you have no salt fish, and add ingredients that are not harmful to orchids... I just don't know that everyone understands what a chemistry experiment it is having a fish tank. Its not just water and fish.

[Roey.P.]

Don't forget to check if your aquarium plants are ill or with virus or mini snails cause they will thrive in the orchid humidity and will probably kill it by a week or less!