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filtration to reduce TDS

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by David K, Jun 11, 2015.

  1. David K

    David K New Member

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    I noticed that my orchids have salt buildup on the leaves and on the mounts and pots. My municipal water company thinks my TDS (total dissolved solids) in my water is about 300 ppm. I'm looking for an economical way to do some filtration. Does anyone know if those hose attached water filters used in RVs are effective in lowering TDS? Is there a preferred method to lower salt in the water (reverse osmosis?)?
     
  2. carl

    carl Active Member

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    Definitely go reverse osmosis. I did about two years ago, and am glad I did. You can get an inexpensive unit that connects to a faucet and produces enough for a small collection (I have one, easily makes 20+ gallons in a day) from First Rays.
     
    John Marvin (Joe Jo) likes this.
  3. John Marvin (Joe Jo)

    John Marvin (Joe Jo) Member

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    Hi Carl, I have the same kind of problem except mine is dealing with calcium build up. Will a reverse osmosis filter work on lowering calcium?
     
  4. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Dave, the only practical alternative to reverse osmosis is ultrafiltration (expensive), or buying distiller or RO water, which gets really expensive over time.
     
  5. carl

    carl Active Member

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    Absolutely.
     
  6. John Marvin (Joe Jo)

    John Marvin (Joe Jo) Member

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    Thanks Carl!
     
  7. orcoholic

    orcoholic Member

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    RO is way to go
     
  8. lepetitmartien

    lepetitmartien Active Member

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    If your needs don't go on par with the production (and "waste') of RO water, you may have a garden center or aquarium shop with the service for cheap, that's what I use.
     
  9. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    1) modern RO systems can be configured to use far less flush water than what has be standard in the past.
    2) most RO-using orchid growers find a use for the flush water, making it not a waste at all.
    3) if you're philosophically against producing a secondary stream, buying the water from some service does not address that, it just shifts it to someone else.
     
  10. lepetitmartien

    lepetitmartien Active Member

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    As I'm in a rented flat, I don't have the option/estate (it's really cramped where I can install it) and not enough use to justify a working RO filtration, even the smallest. And the RO water at the garden center is dirt cheap. Once I pass the 500 plants, it'll be an option. ;)
    Meanwhile…
     
  11. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    I'll grant that the shipping cost would be deadly, but the "counter top RO" units I sell are not mounted anywhere - you attach the inlet hose to the sink, produce the RO you need, then detach it and put it away.
     
  12. lepetitmartien

    lepetitmartien Active Member

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    It's not that simple here :( (fixed solutions)

    I keep your trick in mind Ray, one day… ;)