- Joined
- Aug 3, 2018
- Messages
- 773
- Reputation
- 0
- Reaction score
- 1,594
- Points
- 0
- Currently Smoking
- Mac & Cheese, Primal Punch, Arise
I'm looking for ways to re-mineralize my RO water and turn it (in the post filtration reservoir) into 'optimal' water for growing cannabis. I'm trying to devise a way to do this in an automated way so that the water can be sent out to my Blumats carrots or used when I hand water. This means I need to, first, find out some parameters that will constitute "optimal" water and (the harder part, imo) figure out a method of monitoring the reservoir and dispensing minerals, and possibly, a pH adjuster; so that the reservoir is always in range. To make it even harder... I want to keep it organic or, at least, safe for my soil's microbial life. I know it can be done but I'm not sure exactly how to do it. So, I'm hoping that some of y'all can help me figure this out.
I haven't been on AFN in quite a while but it's great to be back! I'm looking forward to seeing what y'all come back with, on this suybject. Before someone asks, I only have well water available and it's HORRIBLE. It's got a LOT of sodium and bicarbonates - particularly sodium! So, RO is my only option. As I've been finding (and reading, lately) that negatively charged and 'hungry' water can play havoc in my soil when I'm not adding something to neutralize all those negatively charged ions; or, in other words, 're-mineralize' the RO water.
Does anyone have a recipe, for lack of a better term, for a perfect water for growing cannabis? IF an organic grower could define their dream water source, what would be the amounts and proportions of each of the secondary and trace minerals found in it?
My initial thought was to mix up my own mineral solution using a liquid organic calcium along with a broad spectrum liquid trace mineral product and some epsom salt; and then deliver that solution by means of some sort of hydroponic hardware. I've never been a hydro grower but I'm pretty sure they have systems that maintain "cal-mag" (I HATE that term, lol) levels in their reservoirs. But, I'm not 100% that will work. I might need to post something like this in the 'Hydroponic' section. Hopefully there'll be enough crossover that some of y'all can help me with this. Since I grow in a living soil and my water is in the mid 7's, I've never worried much about my water pH. However, since I'm going all-out on my water... I may just start using a automated pHing system as well.
My final concern is how to keep the water in my reservoir (a 30 gallon barrel) moving in such a way that I don't have to worry about anything falling out of solution and so that it's able to remain a consistently homogeneous mixture. IS this something I need to worry about?
Sure would appreciate any help or advice y'all could provide!
I haven't been on AFN in quite a while but it's great to be back! I'm looking forward to seeing what y'all come back with, on this suybject. Before someone asks, I only have well water available and it's HORRIBLE. It's got a LOT of sodium and bicarbonates - particularly sodium! So, RO is my only option. As I've been finding (and reading, lately) that negatively charged and 'hungry' water can play havoc in my soil when I'm not adding something to neutralize all those negatively charged ions; or, in other words, 're-mineralize' the RO water.
Does anyone have a recipe, for lack of a better term, for a perfect water for growing cannabis? IF an organic grower could define their dream water source, what would be the amounts and proportions of each of the secondary and trace minerals found in it?
My initial thought was to mix up my own mineral solution using a liquid organic calcium along with a broad spectrum liquid trace mineral product and some epsom salt; and then deliver that solution by means of some sort of hydroponic hardware. I've never been a hydro grower but I'm pretty sure they have systems that maintain "cal-mag" (I HATE that term, lol) levels in their reservoirs. But, I'm not 100% that will work. I might need to post something like this in the 'Hydroponic' section. Hopefully there'll be enough crossover that some of y'all can help me with this. Since I grow in a living soil and my water is in the mid 7's, I've never worried much about my water pH. However, since I'm going all-out on my water... I may just start using a automated pHing system as well.
My final concern is how to keep the water in my reservoir (a 30 gallon barrel) moving in such a way that I don't have to worry about anything falling out of solution and so that it's able to remain a consistently homogeneous mixture. IS this something I need to worry about?
Sure would appreciate any help or advice y'all could provide!