Pure water? - Orchid Board

flhiker · #1 08-26-2007, 07:42 PM

I wonder if anyone know's if the water that comes from you airconditioner is pure? being that it is condensation. Any thoughts?

luckygrower · #2 08-26-2007, 08:29 PM

I'm am HVAC mechanic by trade, the condensate water is NOT pure, do not use on your orchids, it contains many contaminates that have accumulated on the coil and then are washed of by the condensation during the air conditioning cycle.

flhiker · #3 08-26-2007, 08:38 PM

thanks alot lucky.

I was hoping on having a steady supply of pure water but no such luck as usual when the rain stops I will have to buy it

Ross · #4 08-26-2007, 09:24 PM

I asked this question a while ago but for de-humidifier. I got the same answer. No free lunch.

Leisurely · #5 08-26-2007, 09:31 PM

I am certainly no expert but it seems to me that if contaminates accumulate on the coils then these same contaminates are surely in the air and come down with the rain. So my thought is that if the condensation from the A/C is contaminated then the rain water is also contaminated.

flhiker · #6 08-26-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leisurely

I am certainly no expert but it seems to me that if contaminates accumulate on the coils then these same contaminates are surely in the air and come down with the rain. So my thought is that if the condensation from the A/C is contaminated then the rain water is also contaminated.

How would you test this water to find out what contaminates are in there? I don't want to use any chids as a guinea pig.

flhiker · #7 08-27-2007, 11:30 AM

I did a little research on water quality test kits. I will test the water from my a/c to see if it is contaminated and will let you all know the results.

Leisurely · #8 08-27-2007, 12:01 PM

The County Environmental Health Agcy. does testing but only for pesticides and bacteria. If you want a test for other contaminates, you have to go to a private business.

Phal · #9 08-27-2007, 04:54 PM

In Europe we learned that rain-water is the best you can get. Even if you live in a highly polluted area.
If you pump up water from the ground the possible influence of nitrides (salt) ore other contamination is verry much possible.

Tindomul · #10 08-27-2007, 05:00 PM

I wonder how hard it is to build oneself a water still?
Or if I can build one that is cost effective