Water question... - Orchid Board

cb977 · #1 06-22-2006, 11:16 AM

I use RO water for my 'chids (regular water is for all the other plants) but the tank I have under my sink is only 2 1/2 gallons. On the night before watering day, I make sure I fill up my gallon container and sprayer so that I don't have to take big breaks in the morning while waiting for the tank to refill. Here's my question: there are drops that my hubby uses to clean up the tap water that goes into his aquarium. They remove the chlorine and contaminants so the fish stay alive. What do you guys think of adding those drops to regular water and giving that to the 'chids?

littlefrog · #2 06-22-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

I use RO water for my 'chids (regular water is for all the other plants) but the tank I have under my sink is only 2 1/2 gallons. On the night before watering day, I make sure I fill up my gallon container and sprayer so that I don't have to take big breaks in the morning while waiting for the tank to refill. Here's my question: there are drops that my hubby uses to clean up the tap water that goes into his aquarium. They remove the chlorine and contaminants so the fish stay alive. What do you guys think of adding those drops to regular water and giving that to the 'chids?

You shouldn't need them. Your RO water (if the filters and membrane are working correctly) should contain no chlorine and very very low levels of everything else. It is pretty pure stuff.

cb977 · #3 06-22-2006, 12:04 PM

Sorry, I was asking if it would work to add them to regular water since I have limited access to the RO.

Oscarman · #4 06-22-2006, 05:54 PM

They would be OK, but it would not address the calcium levels/hardness of your water and I am sure a bunch of other stuff that I have no expertise in!!

Why not set up the RO system to feed into a larger container with a float shut off valve? It works similarily as the pressure tank, except larger capacity.

cb977 · #5 06-22-2006, 09:45 PM

Thanks...it was just a passing thought

The supply I have is fine if I plan ahead and fill one gallon and my sprayer the night before watering time. Then in the morning when I need more, there's another two gallons ready for me. It refills in about an hour so I'm fine for filling my sprayer through the day. I appreciate your input

Tindomul · #6 06-22-2006, 10:47 PM

I don't like adding more chemicals to my water, so in order to get rid of Chlorine, I just let the water stand over night. The Cl just evaporates off.

JimR · #7 06-29-2006, 02:30 PM

You may want to look at your municipal water report to get a better idea whether or not the Total Dissolved Solids are high enough to bother with RO. Remember, RO is lacking in ALL nutrients, so your fertilizer will have to supply it all. Especially Calcium, Magnesium and micronutrients. Sounds like you have only a few plants, so your current method works as long as there is some forethought. When your collection increases, there are ways to store more water to fill your needs. I have about 400 plants that I water with RO. I use a 5 stage under sink unit that I kicked up to 75 GPD output. I installed it in the garage using the washer inline. I tapped into the output line just before it reaches the storage vessel. I installed a Tee and a manual on/off valve, then ran 1/4" polytube across the yard, under the grass and into a trash barrel in my shadehouse. The evening after watering, I open the valve just before bed, then turn it off when I awake in the morning. This gives me roughly 30 gallons of easily accessible RO.

cb977 · #8 06-29-2006, 02:52 PM

Hi Jim and thank you for your input. I guess 58 is considered only a few when you have 400!

Our water here is horrible but I do give it to all my regular plants and they're all beautiful. It was just a passing thought and not really an issue for me. I'm fine with the system I have. Now I just have to work on clear pots, different medium and a greenhouse

terrestrial_man · #9 12-11-2006, 01:53 AM

Your real problem is that you do not have an adequate means of storing enough r/o water for your orchids. I recommend getting a rain barrel. Do you have a r/o unit that can produce 4 or 5 gallons an hour? If not you may want to consider a new r/o unit.
Attached is an image of my rain barrel that I got from a firm in Texas. If you like it let me know and I will dig up the address. The r/o unit sits above it on the wall. I think the barrel holds 40 gallons.