Tap water v rain water

[darknight_420]

Hey all.

I'm growing indoors using soil and have always used my tap water, I just realised I've got a 50L bucket outside full to the brim of rainwater.

Which would you use?

Thanks

 

[darknight_420]

Hey all.

I'm growing indoors using soil and have always used my tap water, I just realised I've got a 50L bucket outside full to the brim of rainwater.

Which would you use?

Thanks

I think I've found the answer to my own question. I'm growing organic so get the rain water used without adjusting the ph.

Pros of Rainwater for Growing WeedVery cleanStable pH of around 7.0FreePlentiful in some regionsEasy to collect—if you have the spaceCons of Rainwater for Growing WeedCollecting rainwater can be illegal in some placesSupply may not be plentiful in some regionspH may need adjusting for hydroponic growsImpossible to collect if you don’t have the spaceHow to Prepare Rainwater for Growing Weed

Rainwater is pretty much ready to be used. The only situation where you’ll likely have to adjust it is if you’re growing hydroponic weed. In this case, the optimal pH level is 6.0, which is lower than rain might naturally be.

But besides a slight pH adjustment in this instance, rainwater needs no preparation.

Best Suited For

Rainwater is best suited for those growing organically in soil. It doesn’t require adjustment and won’t harm important soil microorganisms. It’s also very good for those growing on a budget, so long as you have somewhere to place a water butt.

 

[Talonxracer]

Rain water when exposed to the atmosphere, like in a open top barrel, absorbs co2 acidifing the water eventually getting down around 5.7ish, so make sure to check it for ph before watering.

 

[Smoke em if you got em]

If you are using tap water it's best to leave it out for 24 hours so any chlorine or other chemicals that might be used to treat the tap water have time to evaporate. My tap water ph often varies month to month so I always check ph levels after I've added any nutrients before watering/feeding and adjust ph to 6.5-ish with great results. Also be aware of any insect larvae or other things possibly in the water barrel that might contaminate your indoor grow space.

 

[darknight_420]

Thanks folks.

Those bugs and other issues now got me thinking ill give it a miss lol ill just fill the bucket with tap water and leave 24hr

Thanks again

 

[420Forever]

rainwater for the win! ....nuff said ppp

 

[nizmoKush]

I use rainwater whenever it rains here but just those 5gal buckets ( I need to buy a big one for sure). Also l, use tap water that I leave in the garage. Btw I’ve used tap water straight from the faucet and plants don’t seem to mind.

Forgot to say I’m organic too

 

[BII]

Unless there are serious acid rain problems in my location, given the choice, I'd go with the 'purer' rainwater, with it much more likely to have much lower (or actually no) salts content. Even if you want tap water for the Ca, Mg and other minerals it contains, keep in mind much of this, what shows up on chem. analysis, could well be bound in non- or lesser-soluble complexes, not be available to the plant.

 

[NORB YIPPLS]

Think I'm gonna have to make a rain catcher that goes straight to my grow space, I was always worried about the water getting contaminated by organic matter and dead & living bugs that are in it or have been in it lol

So it's safe to just simply catch into a closed bucket and use it as it refills?
I could definitely make a decent water catcher that would go strait to the growspace door lol
No more hogging litres of water every night

 

[Talonxracer]

Think I'm gonna have to make a rain catcher that goes straight to my grow space, I was always worried about the water getting contaminated by organic matter and dead & living bugs that are in it or have been in it lol

So it's safe to just simply catch into a closed bucket and use it as it refills?
I could definitely make a decent water catcher that would go strait to the growspace door lol
No more hogging litres of water every night

That sounds like a great plan. Rain water is great as long as you keep it clean. It wouldn't hurt to add a filter to catch debris from the roof that will wash off along with the water, a course filter to catch big stuff and just allow the fine stuff to settle in the collection container.