water

[rickbamber]

I have 4-5gal. buckets from harbor freight full of water. I haven't started growing yet. How long will that water be good for? I have got them full of filtered dechlorinated water , do I need lids?

 

[Bluey]

Wouldn't it be dependent on how many plants you have, the medium they are growing in, the frequency of fertigation, the ambient temps, the amount of cropping you perform, stage of growth and if you are draining to waste or reticulating?

 

[90Gizmo]

They say that all the water on earth is at least a few billion years old from ice comet impacts early in the planet's evolution so... it'll probably last a while longer. You'll want a lid though if you want it to stay in the bucket. Can't say it'll be good though because I don't think HF buckets are food safe.

 

[crucialbunny]

I've been using water straight from the tap for better than 50 years and never had any issues. The primary purpose of airing water is to keep chlorine from killing off beneficial bacteria in soil but scientific studies have shown that the results in bacteria losses are negligible. Add some molasses periodically to your watering schedule and bacteria will thrive.

 

[dirtymike]

That's about all the choices i've ever had. Let it sit for a day or two and nute it and ph before use and its on. Bet you been using black strap molasses for 50 years to. LOL

 

[crucialbunny]

Actually dirtymike I didn't learn about molasses until I came to GWE. Prior to that I used the left over water from boiling potatoes or corn. Lots of natural sugars in that as well.

 

[Bluey]

I read the other day, and it may have been the GWE newsletter, that adding sugar to your grow in late flower may just add sugar to the flowers... extra weight.....and it adds it as sugar.. sucrose, fructose, whatever.

The scientists are questioning this approach and further research required but smoking sugars may not be great was the bottom line.