Water quality for hydroponics

[smartyram]

I tested two water samples from Chennai. One sample was from a bore (tube) well and another from the city water supply (known as Metro water in Chennai). As expected the bore water was very hard about 1.21mS. and the city water had a tolerable hardness of 0.50mS. Even with a lower hardness the city water was at the higher end of the scale.

The current tap water I am using has a hardness of about 0.40mS. To compensate for this hardness I use a nutrient solution specifically made for hard water. The results are very good.

I wanted to know how everybody else is dealing with water quality issues. Since majority of hydroponics practitioners make there own nutrients. Do you compensate for the extra Calcium in the water source, in your self made nutrients?

 

[kirti s]

water quality

Dear sir,
It is decided bassaed on the crop which u are planning and types of nutrents u are adding, hydroponics is new or unexploited concept water is criticle factor so counsult yr nutritional adviser for further details.

Water containing too much calcium and magnesium (called "total Hardness") may create serious problems. Contact your municipal water supplier who can provide you with an analysis of your water supply. If you are using well water, many laboratories can provide you with an analysis if you send them a sample. If the dissolved salts in your water supply measure 200 ppm or more, we strongly recommend that you obtain a water analysis to determine calcium content. Excessive calcium is the main factor in determining if your water is hard. If an analysis of your water supply reveals that the Calcium content of your water supply is greater than 70 ppm (mg/liter) you should use Hardwater FloraMicro. Hardwater FloraMicro provides rapidly growing plants with a combination of chelated micronutrients uniquely formulated for hardwater conditions. Other options are to collect rainwater, install a reverse osmosis filtration system, or use purified water. Do not use mineral or "spring" water, which can unbalance the nutrient solution, or even be toxic to plants.

Regards

Kirti Naik

 

[smartyram]

Thank you for your reply. Where can i get the contact details for some labs near Chennai to get the water sample analyzed.

Also where can I buy Hardwater FloraMicro?