Pure water?

[flhiker]

OK the results are in I tested the water that I collected in a five gallon bucket from my window air conditioner. I used a clean glass for each test using the required amount of water for the test. I did it by the book. Drum roll please!
Alkalinity test 0 ppm
chlorine test 0ppm
hardness test 0 ppm
Iron test 0 ppm
copper test 0 ppm
nitrate/nitrite test 0 ppm
lead bacteria clear with no odor
So far pretty pure!
pH test about 4-5 ppm this is a little low for drinking water consider caution. 6.5 is considered safe
by adding a small amount of soda ash should raise it to a safe level. That is what they put in pools. I will test distilled water from the store to see what level pH it has to compare
This is the best test kit available at home depot, because of the results, I will invest in a better test kit available on the web to test for more bacteria
If the water passes the bacteria test I will use it on a limited number of plants (not orchids) to see what happens. so far so good

[Ross]

Originally Posted by flhiker

OK the results are in I tested the water that I collected in a five gallon bucket from my window air conditioner. I used a clean glass for each test using the required amount of water for the test. I did it by the book. Drum roll please!
Alkalinity test 0 ppm
chlorine test 0ppm
hardness test 0 ppm
Iron test 0 ppm
copper test 0 ppm
nitrate/nitrite test 0 ppm
lead bacteria clear with no odor
So far pretty pure!
pH test about 4-5 ppm this is a little low for drinking water consider caution. 6.5 is considered safe
by adding a small amount of soda ash should raise it to a safe level. That is what they put in pools. I will test distilled water from the store to see what level pH it has to compare
This is the best test kit available at home depot, because of the results, I will invest in a better test kit available on the web to test for more bacteria
If the water passes the bacteria test I will use it on a limited number of plants (not orchids) to see what happens. so far so good

Dave sounds perfect so far. I recommend MSU mix for "pure water" at 125ppm Nitrogen. Use with every watering if you want spectacular results.

[caseydoll]

This is very exciting news (so far)! I can't wait to hear about further results! Also Ross, wouldn't the MSU for pure water raise the ph to a safe level? Just wondering...

[Ross]

Originally Posted by caseydoll

This is very exciting news (so far)! I can't wait to hear about further results! Also Ross, wouldn't the MSU for pure water raise the ph to a safe level? Just wondering...

Sarah, yes! It's not so much it raises the pH as it ads the buffering agents it needs to.

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

Dave sounds perfect so far. I recommend MSU mix for "pure water" at 125ppm Nitrogen. Use with every watering if you want spectacular results.

Awesome that makes it easy since I use Ray's msu for pure water now. I have been catching rain water which I know will end soon.

[luckygrower]

I don't want to cause a big conflick but think of how an air-conditoner works,even in the cooling mode, it recycles the air in your home thru a $2.00 filter across your cooling coil then back into your living space, your filter collects the large dust particals any anything else large enough for the filter to stop,that does not include bacteria, I periodicaly clean and spray the coils with antibacterialcide in large systems to help keep the bacteria in check, your home does not have the large quantity's as a commercial system but there is still bacteria in your home, yes the water coming off your air-conditioner is produced in a similar manner as distilling but it is done in a open system and not in a closed system as distilled water is,I myself would not take the chance.

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by luckygrower

I don't want to cause a big conflick but think of how an air-conditoner works,even in the cooling mode, it recycles the air in your home thru a $2.00 filter across your cooling coil then back into your living space, your filter collects the large dust particals any anything else large enough for the filter to stop,that does not include bacteria, I periodicaly clean and spray the coils with antibacterialcide in large systems to help keep the bacteria in check, your home does not have the large quantity's as a commercial system but there is still bacteria in your home, yes the water coming off your air-conditioner is produced in a similar manner as distilling but it is done in a open system and not in a closed system as distilled water is,I myself would not take the chance.

Hi Lucky, I understand where you are coming from. And it makes sense as well. But I was looking at my unit and again it is a window unit not a split unit. where the water is coming from is from the condenser motor, the coil is totally sealed of from the condenser area. I check the inside coil and it is totally dry while it runs otherwise it would spit water in the house. The rear coil is hot and the fan blows outward the only thing giving off water is the condenser. So far all the quality test are good but I have not done a true bacteria test yet. If it passes I have to believe it will be OK. Maybe on central units it is different. No offense And I appreciate your input.

[luckygrower]

No offense taken, you may have found a free way to receive a form of distilled water and it may be very good for your plants, if it tests bacteria free let us know so that all of us may benifit. Thanks for your time spent testing, of something I would not have thought to use and it may benifit all.

[gmdiaz]

Oh, boy. . .this is just like watching "Myth Busters!"

I am very curious to hear the results of your next bacteria test!

[flhiker]

The result of the bacteria test are in:
1. test was done with water collected 48 hrs after being made.
2. test was done with water collected within 6 hrs. of being made.
BOTH Tests show NO signs of bacteria
I have been watering yard plants and 2 African Violets with this water for a couple weeks with no signs of problems.
I WILL start watering a couple of Orchids with it Starting Tomorrow (Monday the 10th Sept.)

Again this water was collected from a window air conditioner in a clean 5 gallon bucket.