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Discuss water requirements, "soil" (growing media) and suitable planting containers

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By Sakaaaaa
Posts:  1021
Joined:  Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 pm
#265166
I don't have a TDS meter, maybe I'll buy one soon, there's a lot of Hydroponic stores around here
By tommyr
Location: 
Posts:  1748
Joined:  Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:38 am
#276509
new2vfts wrote:Hello! Does anyone know the TDS for NYC tap water? Is it low enough for use in a bog container with flytrap, american pitchers, sundews, bladderwort and butterwort or stick with buying distilled?
Believe it or not NYC has some of the healthiest water in the country HOWEVER get a TDS meter (they are cheap, $15 or less) and test YOUR own tap water. Back in 2011 someone in Queens got a reading of 45ppm. That could change a bit by now. Best to get a meter. Amazon is where I got mine.
By Dave F H
Posts:  8
Joined:  Fri May 05, 2017 2:40 pm
#291913
As a industrial chemist , most tap or well water will have dissolved solids in it
even though I am starting out here and new to growing flytraps I might suggest anyone who is having issues with their water go and buy from any supermarket distilled water for around 2 bucks for a 4 l jug
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By boarderlib
Posts:  1641
Joined:  Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:13 pm
#291916
Dave F H wrote:As a industrial chemist , most tap or well water will have dissolved solids in it
even though I am starting out here and new to growing flytraps I might suggest anyone who is having issues with their water go and buy from any supermarket distilled water for around 2 bucks for a 4 l jug
That's a fine recommendation for people with smaller collections. Some people here would end up having to sell their house if they had to buy distilled water for their collections, just to be able to afford that much water.

A better suggestion which has been mentioned in this thread repeatedly is to buy a TDS meter and test your water. If it's under 50 its safe, then you have an abundant water supply. If it's not collect rain water, get a RO system, and start buying distilled.

CP's can tolerate some dissolved solids, just not in excess.

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By Dave F H
Posts:  8
Joined:  Fri May 05, 2017 2:40 pm
#292002
The R O( reverse Osmosis) system is excellent for getting Di water for larger collections , Please be careful however when using the Charcoal filters in R O systems because once they are spent they will release the minerals back into the water.
This I found out when testing water quality for industrial boilers , I was testing to very low levels ( ppb) Parts per billion
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By boarderlib
Posts:  1641
Joined:  Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:13 pm
#292168
amriko wrote:In Nanaimo, BC, CA we have one of the lowest tap water ppm in the world. According to the water supplier we have
11 ppm straight out the tap, fear me mortals
It should be noted that is probably tested at the facility, not at your house. Pipes get old, they leak, they allow contaminants in. Test at your faucet, don't assume because they say that's what it is, that's what it is at your house. I'll bet your water isn't that low.

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By Matt
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Posts:  22523
Joined:  Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:28 pm
#292357
Dave F H wrote:Please be careful however when using the Charcoal filters in R O systems because once they are spent they will release the minerals back into the water.
This is very true! Keep your filters fresh in an RO unit!
boarderlib wrote:It should be noted that is probably tested at the facility, not at your house. Pipes get old, they leak, they allow contaminants in. Test at your faucet, don't assume
Also true.
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By xr280xr
Posts:  2807
Joined:  Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:29 pm
#292401
boarderlib wrote: A better suggestion which has been mentioned in this thread repeatedly is to buy a TDS meter and test your water. If it's under 50 its safe
Meaning your flytrap can be exposed to it without burning. But if you're anywhere near the 50 ppm mark, I would only top water and allow the water to flow through the media. Otherwise it will accumulate in your media pretty quickly. My rain water comes out around 12 ppm. I will use it to tray water, but then I flush the media with pure distilled water every few months.
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By boarderlib
Posts:  1641
Joined:  Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:13 pm
#292411
xr280xr wrote: Meaning your flytrap can be exposed to it without burning. But if you're anywhere near the 50 ppm mark, I would only top water and allow the water to flow through the media. Otherwise it will accumulate in your media pretty quickly. My rain water comes out around 12 ppm. I will use it to tray water, but then I flush the media with pure distilled water every few months.
Very true. I highly recommend flushing pots periodically no matter what your water source is. I use distilled, and rain water with my plants. Whenever we have a heavy rain coming I take my plants out of the trays and get a thorough flushing. I'll even take a lot of my indoor plants outside. I also use that time to clean my trays out, empty, wash and refill with clean water.

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