Indoor Water/High EC Levels/RO; alternatives?

[GreenKnight]

Hey all,

I recently had my water tested, which I found out has a high EC level of 1.5. I've heard this should be lower than 1 before adding nutes, correct?

It's no wonder than my plants have looked fine on just plain water through veg phase, but once I start even adding a cap full of Botanicare Bloom, even when the plant is well into the flowering stage, I start getting some bad burn on the tips of fans, crispy leaves, etc...

My PH is fine, I think, at right around 6, but now I'm looking for what I can do about the EC. Because I've been growing in soil, I think is why I'm getting away with not killing my plants, but I was hoping to try out a deep water culter, and have purchased everything EXCEPT a reverse osmosis system...And I was wondering if there would be any viable alternatives, cutting around the 100$-200$ price range and also the required know-how to set up such a system...Maybe a rain barrel in the summer? Melt snow in the winter? Lol

Any suggestions for the student budget?!

Thanks AFN!

 

[SkatterBrayne]

Rain barrel you are dependant on consistent rains, and risk algae from the light which can easily lead to root rot. Snow could work if you can fill a massive 100+ gallon water tank with enough of it to last, I suppose (unless there is snow all winter long?)

Your only feasable option is an RO filters though. I believe General Hydroponics also makes a variant of their flora series specifically for hard water, which you could possibly run without an RO filter.

Get a copy of your municipal water report and see WHAT the ppm s of your water source mainly consist of.

 

[GreenKnight]

Thanks for the reply!

I do have access to snow from about Dec to March, so no problems there, but I think I'll need to consider a RO system....

I appreciate the input! I'll get in touch with my water guys...