Tap water vs Rain water

[Pleb Scrubber]

I always assumed that rain water was more pure and better for plants.

 

But I read somewhere that using town water from the tap is better than using untreated rain water for hydroponics. Their argument was that the chlorine and additives helped kill bacteria/germs that can harm the plants.

And that rain water is missing certain natural minerals because its been evaporated (like distilled water).

 

My tap water is around PH 7.7-8 and EC 300-400

My Rain water is PH 7 and EC 20 - 30

[Chronmasta]

depends on the cleanliness for bacteria but generally there`s products with microorganisms that fight the bad bacteria ....like zym or rhizotonic ....... hydrogen peroxide based products also have a bad bacteria killing effect ...but also kill the good ones.....

 

the ec difference in your case shows that there`s a higher TDS/salt level in the tap water which is inclined to put an in`balance on a chemical/mineral level......like a higher level of calcium or magnesium or something.....which makes can make it harder for the plant to uptake(eat) the other needed minerals.

 

basically, the less nasties in the water, the better!........so rain water is the go

 

 

 

 

Chron

[Olly]

Could we use one of those tap filters? Rain water in the city is worse than the tap water.

 

Olly

[Chronmasta]

yeah....its not usually a problem, providing the nutrients ya using are in date and not out of whack....my tap water comes out at 300ppm/ec 0.30/cf 0.3 ..... and mi ph is a whopping 9.5 .....so with the right adjustments (nutrients & ph down) to 5.8.....there shouldnt be a problem......

 

just, if ya using coco for the medium, make sure ya using coco specific nutrients

 

 

have fun,

Chron

[merl1n]

Hi there Pleb Scrubber,

My nutes recommend using pH adjusted tap water. The pH of my tap water is pretty high but once adjusted and nutes added it all evens out OK. I have tried rainwater with less than pleasing results. The rainwater I used was from a galv steel tank and I was told that this would have altered the salt levels in the water and made some salts unavailable for the plant to use. I don't know if this is fact but I've stayed with tap water ever since without any hassles.

Others say rainwater is best, but then add all these chemicals to make it safe This is a bit confusing

 

Merl1n

[Pleb Scrubber]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

I'm using a 44 gallon plastic drum as a rain water tank next to my grow room.

 

If you use tap water, you can put it in a container with an open lid for 24 hours to get rid of the chlorine before use.

But that dosnt get rid of anything else.

[Pleb Scrubber]

Didnt want to start a new topic for one question...

 

Ive been using rain water for hydro, but recently discovered that the roof I was collecting the water from has lead paint on it. I did some research and everyone says that lead paint or lead flushing on roofs mean that any water gathered on it will be unsuitable for drinking...

So does this mean its not suitable for feeding plants? The plants appear to be very happy...

 

 

Will the lead content be passed on to the plant to affect plant growth?

Or will the lead contaminate the finished bud and be passed on to the user?

 

Or am I just being paranoid...

[STONEDAJ69]

Paranoia, bro... so long as the inside of your tank isn't painted with the same stuff - you'll be fine.

Water doesn't sit on a roof long enough when raining to allow leaching of the lead - especially not enough to harm the end user of a plant - besides - like all good growers, you'll be flushing, right?

[Pleb Scrubber]

Paranoia, bro... so long as the inside of your tank isn't painted with the same stuff - you'll be fine.

Water doesn't sit on a roof long enough when raining to allow leaching of the lead - especially not enough to harm the end user of a plant - besides - like all good growers, you'll be flushing, right?

 

Yeah but im going to be flushing it with lead laced water!