Minerals in water

[rockman]

Howdy, I've a question...my well water is very mineral laden (an evaporation pot with this water on woodstove gets coated with minerals when it dries out). If I PH this water properly to use on my new grow, does the mineral content present a problem? I'm growing in Kind soil this time (instead of coco). I'd rather not screw things up, if you know what I I mean! Thanks! 🌻

[DW2]

If your well water is very alkali (or high levels of lead, arsenic, or other toxic metal oxides) then it cold hurt your plants, but if you can use it on other house plants and/or the yard then it will not hurt your plants. I have read that well water can be better for the plants because of the dissolved minerals (of course depending on what they are!), Here the city uses a blend or water from wells and a surface reservoir which leaves a crusty build up on the faucets after a while and it has not harmed any of my plants.

[rockman]

Thanks DW! I have never used it before on anything except my outdoor grows, and they seem to thrive. Maybe to be safe I'll stick to distilled water and let the grow medium provide any nutrients that cannabis needs. Thanks again! 😊

[insomniaczzz]

If streams and creeks in your area are not contaminated, this usually makes headline news, than your well water is probably okay. Never hurts to gets it tested every 5 years though.

[rockman]

Thanks Insom! I haven't been thinking of doing testing, so that is definitely an option. Or just stick with distilled. Heck I'm only growing one plant at a time! 😊

[Weed Pharma]

I have taken the middle road for this (mostly chlorine) -and use a Brita Filter which removes some TDS (about 1/2 per manufacturer) as the water here is said to be low, anyways.

My next step would be one of these: https://www.zerowater.com/#, if I suspect my water is high.

[rockman]

Thanks for reply and the link to filtering! I will definitely keep that in mind as the alternative to bottled H2O. 🌻

[kirkc]

check out JR Peters (jacks). They will do a complete analysis of your water for forty bucks

[rockman]

Much appreciated Kirk! Checked it out and that is a great suggestion...not too pricey! 😊

[South Sierra Dude]

I am on my second grow using very high Ph well water. The only issue I have is that my soil gets a bit "salty" around week eight. I just flush and move on.

[rockman]

Thanks for reply SSD! I have really heavy salts in my water, so obvious when it evaporates and leaves mega deposits. I don't even drink it....tastes terrible. So if I don't have it tested, I will avoid its use on my precious cannabis! 🌻

[South Sierra Dude]

I hear you. Just fyi my water tests at 8.5 Ph uncorrected and I use new air pillows in my master cooller every year. My water is seriously basic.

[rockman]

Interesting cause mine is on the acidic side, yet is still loaded with minerals!

[South Sierra Dude]

That's soft water right?

[rockman]

This is from Wikipedia:
Hard water is water that has high mineral content (in contrast with "soft water"). Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone and chalk which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Soft or hard, I decided to use distilled, and when I checked the PH, it was perfect for growing in soil. Happy growing to you! 🌻🌻