Reverse Osmosis Recommendations

[DroseraBug]

Hello,
I'm ignorant about RO systems and in the past did not need one.
I've got two questions to all you RO system experienced users.

What is the most affordable quality RO system on the market for filtering dissolved solids? and where can I find one?

I've just moved from one location in North Carolina to another. I was using tap water for my bogs at that location and never had problems. Currently, my collection has grown into several bogs and terrariums and the TDS where I live now in NC reads from 89 to 101 ppm. I don't want to risk it. At present, I am using bottled distilled water. I feel that I could save money and plastic by investing in a system but need help in my selection.

I'm also looking for a system that I can connect to the garden hose. Not interested in the under the sink type of system. Any suggestions or if this is covered in another location within the forum please let me know.

Thanks,

Victor

[wadave]

Hi Victor,

I can't help you with your RO questions but I may put your mind at ease if you do need to use your tap water at any stage.

I have been using my tap water with a reading of 125 - 130ppm in the GH for the last few years and the plants don't seem to mind.

I grow a good variety from the ususal VFT's to cephs, pings, neps, heli's, drosera, sarra's and even the odd weedy utric and all seem to thrive.

One difference is that the pots don't sit in trays so the water is constantly flowing through the medium.

What tends to knock CP's around the most is the long term salt buildup when the soil medium is not replaced or the plants are not given a regular flush with fresh clean water to help reduce any salts that are accumulating.

Your water isn't that bad, but the long term effect in your bog would mean that the medium will have to be replaced if you do decide to use your tap water over a number of years.

So essentially the short term use of your water shouldn't cause your plants much stress but over the long term it would pose a problem.

Good luck finding the information you're looking for.

Dave.

[pinglover]

icps.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=news&action=display&thread=1177953121

Unfortunately, the site I linked to in that thread is no longer a business but some sort of a reef forum. For me, I think it would be most important to avoid being dependent upon any online distributor for replacement filters. Point in context, the place I bought from had been in business for years and now the domain has been bought by a new entity and here I sit with a unit that doesn't even have a brand name on it. I like being able to go to any big box store to buy new filters for my equipment as opposed to having to buy from the supplier based on which brand of RO/DI unit I have.

If my water was testing in the range of 89 to 101 ppm, I doubt seriously if I would have incurred the expense of purchasing an RO/DI system however there may be others who feel differently.

[phissionkorps]

I think up to 100ppm should certainly be fine. You can always try and if things start looking bad, just flush the pots with some bought RO water. Right now I don't have an RO system...I just refill gallon jugs at WalMart from the machines there. It's tedious, but I'm moving soon, so I can't really commit to an RO unit until I'm done w/ my move and all. You should feel lucky, my tap water is 1000+ ppm. (I'm not joking)

[DroseraBug]

Thanks for the advice.

I feel more comfortable now and will continue to use tap. I've just read several times,"stay under 50 ppm". My adult Darlingtonia has survived for a year on this taps ice cubes and water so maybe thats a good sign. If I notice any problems I'll just flush it or change out the soil.

Thanks again,

Vic

[Aidan]

50ppm or lower is generally considered to be the ideal and I wouldn't recommend using water with a reading much over 100ppm. If nothing else, when using harder water you will likely end up having to repot plants more often. Of course it also depends upon which plants you grow. Nepenthes are quite tolerant of hard water and many Pinguicula originate from limestone rich areas.

[RL7836]

Personally, I'd go ahead and get an RO unit. Invariably something will happen to your plants - just peruse the various forums - it's always something: why are my leaves turning black, why is this wilting, why aren't my plants red, why did xxx die without warning? Then there's the fabled SDS for Cephs. Since your water is now on the borderline (over border in my mind), you will always wonder if it might be causing some issue. Otoh, if you're supplying clean water all along, you can rule that out as a cause of any problem you might eventually come across...

Our water here is super hard, so an RO unit was a requirement. My old unit gave up the ghost a few months back and I had to get a new one. Read all the past posts on the different forums and got one on eBay from a seller w/ a good reputation. Made sure I got one with standard sized filters so replacements won't be an issue when I need them.