wwhateley
Well-Known Member
Thanks! no i don't use tap water at all. I use a bottled water from volcano source. According to studies, it is the less polluted available. Not only it is free from anything like cholrine and fluorine, but also from traces of pollutents of medical pollution (chemicals, molecules etc). It is also one the cheapest available at this quality (1/3rd the price of a big brand).
It is also the poorest in terms of minerals and has a PH of 6.5 that can be used straight "out of the bottle", and sometimes I add 10 drops of PH Down. Sometimes, during pre-flowering, I mix it with another water which is rich in cal/mag/sodium, but I do this a couple of time only (may be 4 times in 2 weeks).
I've used tap water to fill half the tank last time, and some leaves were yellow, but probably because of N deficiency rather than chlorine. Anyway, since then, they have completely recovered. There can't be chlorine excess with the water I use.
Practically, it is sport: it means going to the supermarket and getting 2 or 3 * 6 packs at once in the trolley (18*1.5 liters = very heavy). storing them etc. At the end, it is probably expensive too, but may be less than an osmoser. I probably pay between 15 and 20 euros per month for the water -1.5€ a pack of 6*1.5).
I flush with tap water though, showering each pot in the bath tube, and finishing with a full bottle of that mineral water i am using
I am the only grower I know who does this, 99.00% use tap water, 0.999 % have osmosers, and 0.001% is me ;-)
If I had more space, I would use a tank of tap water (30/50Liters ) that would sit in a dark place with plenty of time for chlorine to evaporate.
There is also the 8L britta filter, but the filters are super expensive and must be changed often otherwise they actually release stuff rather than filtering them out.
That's serious dedication! That's definitely quite some work but I find it admirable that you do all this for the well being of your plants!
After reading your message I took the time to measure the PH of my chlorine free tap water and it was 8. I got a bottle of Ph- so I lowered it to around 6,7.
I like it better when between 40% and 50% all through. 55% the first 2 weeks may be. 42% all the way is my target (nothing scientific, i find it sexier than 41 or 43- seriously i think it's to avoid spores and pest that develop better above 42% for some.
It also depends on the height or locatioon in the tent. Today, it is rainy outside: I read 74% at Blue Dream's feet, 38% at 60cm from led panel on the left side near Cali Snow, and 61% on the right side slightly below Aya's canopy. The humidifier (plant feet level) reads 76%.
Also, not sure of the accuracy of all my sensors (some are old etc).
What is sure is that there are a lot of variations.
I have slightly too much humidity on the floor now that I have an intraction from below my window. it is great when it is hot, less when it is humid. I would prefer to see 50/55 on the floor and anywhere around 35/45 elsewhere. i've had very dry % sometimes, like 23% for several days/weeks (very dry air where i live).
I've been trying some stuff out but so far my biggest problem is to find some stability in my humidity levels. My tent is in my bathroom and if it's raining it goes easily up to 80-85% when I open the windows to renew the air. Today I got a dehumidifier and I'll try to hold a 50-55% humidity level for the veg. It's tough because I got 3 hygrometers controlled devices so I need time to sync them all perfectly!
Anyway thanks for taking the time to answer me, you've been very thorough as always!
Well done on the repotting, it looked like a hell of a job! (love the root ball picture)
