water treatment - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 12-30-2009, 05:02 PM

Hi,
Until recently, I have been watering with our tap water that has a ph of 7.29 and additionally MSU Fertilizer for Well Water. I have now installed a filtering system in my greenhouse that simply connects to a garden hose which runs this water from our house. Garden Hose Filters I have a list of the water's mineral content that I was given at the water dept., but the list is extremely long and detailed and I have no idea how to read it. My concern is whether I should continue to use this same fertilizer or change to a different one. If I should change, could someone please tell me to what and suggest a particular product, if poss. If you need to know specific mineral content in order to advise me, please tell me which one(s) is necessary for me to supply you and I will try to decifer them from this list, if poss. Please feel free to PM me if you choose.

I would very much appreciate your help.
Vicki

Royal · #2 01-01-2010, 01:10 PM

Hey Vicki,

The great thing about MSU is the pH adjustment. It acidifies your irrigation water down closer to 6. I doubt that filter would remove so much of the mineral content that the pH would change that much, but you can check. As long as the pH after mixing is still above you're fine.

VickiC · #3 01-01-2010, 05:58 PM

Hi Royal,
I overlooked the e-mail telling me that you had replied to my question so I reposted it a few minutes ago in the Beginner Discussion forum because I didn't think that I had gotten any responses from anyone here. I obviously "jumped the gun" because I didn't realize at the time that you had replied, so thank you.

I'll check further into the ph of my tap water after filtering it. I haven't thought to do that. I like the MSU fertilizers so I'm glad to know your feelings on the ph adjustment. Would you suggest that I use the same fertilizer that I've been using...MSU for Well Water (4.75-1-5.75), or change back to MSU for Pure Water (19-4-23), which I used with distilled water in the past?

I'm sorry if I'm inconveniencing you by asking for more advice, but if it's no trouble, I would appreciate your help again.
Vicki

QUOTE=RoyalOrchids;281484]
Hey Vicki,
The great thing about MSU is the pH adjustment. It acidifies your irrigation water down closer to 6. I doubt that filter would remove so much of the mineral content that the pH would change that much, but you can check. As long as the pH after mixing is still above you're fine.[/QUOTE]

harrywitmore · #4 01-01-2010, 06:23 PM

Vicki, I would doubt that this filter is changing the pH much not is it removing minerals. I think it may just be neutralizing the Chlorine. I would suggest either getting some test strips or a test meter to see where you stand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi Royal,
I overlooked the e-mail telling me that you had replied to my question so I reposted it a few minutes ago in the Beginner Discussion forum because I didn't think that I had gotten any responses from anyone here. I obviously "jumped the gun" because I didn't realize at the time that you had replied, so thank you.

I'll check further into the ph of my tap water after filtering it. I haven't thought to do that. I like the MSU fertilizers so I'm glad to know your feelings on the ph adjustment. Would you suggest that I use the same fertilizer that I've been using...MSU for Well Water (4.75-1-5.75), or change back to MSU for Pure Water (19-4-23), which I used with distilled water in the past?

I'm sorry if I'm inconveniencing you by asking for more advice, but if it's no trouble, I would appreciate your help again.
Vicki

QUOTE=RoyalOrchids;281484]
Hey Vicki,
The great thing about MSU is the pH adjustment. It acidifies your irrigation water down closer to 6. I doubt that filter would remove so much of the mineral content that the pH would change that much, but you can check. As long as the pH after mixing is still above you're fine.

[/QUOTE]

VickiC · #5 01-01-2010, 08:30 PM

Hi Harry,
Your advice that I get some test strips or meter is a good idea. I'll look into that.
Thanks for your help,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

Vicki, I would doubt that this filter is changing the pH much not is it removing minerals. I think it may just be neutralizing the Chlorine. I would suggest either getting some test strips or a test meter to see where you stand.

[/QUOTE]

Royal · #6 01-03-2010, 11:15 AM

Vicki,

Questions aren't a bother - that's why we're both here!

I do agree with Harry, without testing the best we could do is guess. It is kind of like trying to follow temperature guidlines without a thermometer.

The pH may not change much, but it the mineral content (pH buffer) remains than the same fertilizer should have the same effect on your water. But, if the minerals are removed, the water will not resist pH change as much and so the same fertilizer may bring the pH down too low (as if you used MSU for well water mixed with distilled water). You can always adjust pH down with vinegar or up with baking soda so we don't have to rely on the fertilizer to make the adjustment on it's own. Again, we'd need to be able to measure it.

If the new filter produces water that's basically the same (minus chlorine) - go with the same MSU for well water.

If the new filter removes the mineral content (like distillation or reverse osmosis), you'll want to use MSU for pure water.

VickiC · #7 01-04-2010, 11:51 AM

Thank you Harry! I've located a pool supply company who offers the test strips. I'm going to try to go there today.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

Vicki, I would doubt that this filter is changing the pH much not is it removing minerals. I think it may just be neutralizing the Chlorine. I would suggest either getting some test strips or a test meter to see where you stand.

[/QUOTE]

VickiC · #8 01-04-2010, 11:52 AM

Thank you for your help again, Royal!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Vicki,

Questions aren't a bother - that's why we're both here!

I do agree with Harry, without testing the best we could do is guess. It is kind of like trying to follow temperature guidlines without a thermometer.

The pH may not change much, but it the mineral content (pH buffer) remains than the same fertilizer should have the same effect on your water. But, if the minerals are removed, the water will not resist pH change as much and so the same fertilizer may bring the pH down too low (as if you used MSU for well water mixed with distilled water). You can always adjust pH down with vinegar or up with baking soda so we don't have to rely on the fertilizer to make the adjustment on it's own. Again, we'd need to be able to measure it.

If the new filter produces water that's basically the same (minus chlorine) - go with the same MSU for well water.

If the new filter removes the mineral content (like distillation or reverse osmosis), you'll want to use MSU for pure water.