I just had a R/O system put under the sink. I didn’t have use for the little under sink thing. I had a 9 gallon put net to it. I have a problem with the stupid drinkie faucet, pita. If I do every thing at the right time I still can only get 1 gallon per hour. My soften well water is pH 7.5. I have done 1/2 well and 1/2 R/O.
Yeah, I’ve read about people using RO. I’m not sure they’re using Hydro. I can’t see how they can be and using an under-sink drinking system.
I tested my water softened tap water with the new pH meter and it was as high as your or higher.
Thank you, @G-paS ! 
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WHAB
Well, if you have a way to measure the PPM’s of your well water straight from the ground, compare that number to what you get from your tap. But also - keep this in mind: not all PPM’s are equal. I don’t know what media your water softener uses, but it’s possible that this could be your primary water issue.
A bit to unpack there…
First, if you aren’t sure if you have an RO system, here’s a photo of a 5 stage RO system similar to mine:
They also make 4 and 6 stage, but you get the idea. If yours doesn’t look substantially like this, it’s not Reverse Osmosis.
As for using it to fill a 30 gallon reservoir simply requires you to add a “T” connector between the final stage of the system and your RO system tank, or between the tank and the faucet. To that “T”, you run a separate line to a large storage tank with a float valve. The RO system will run until the system tank and the storage tank are full. Your storage tank can be 100 gallons and your RO system will fill it, so I assure you, you CAN fill a 30 gallon reservoir.
You can spend a lot of money on an RO system, but you can also get them for under $200…or even under $100. I promise you, you will never regret it.
Yes, but you were using hot water to clean and flush. That doesn’t matter to what I’m talking about.
The well belongs to my brother. I don’t like to mess with his stuff.
The water softener is the type that uses salt.
The RO looks to be a 4 stage system.
I had not thought of bypassing the tank. Yes, that is the limiting factor, now that you’ve mentioned it!
I’m going to seriously consider your suggestion, with the aim of pursuing it.
Edit Add: I will look to see if there is a bypass valve on my end and before it gets to the water softener.
Edit Add: You mentioned you add Cal-Mag Plus. Since it is included in Mega Crop nutrients, why do you add it?
Thank you, @Purple-N-Hairy … I appreciate you taking the time!
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WHAB
I forgot to turn the oscillating fan back on! 
This is what it was…
Good thing I have that Acurite remote sensor! I would not have realized the temperature until the next time I had to go up there.
I also have a small table-top type fan I’ve been meaning to bring up there to help redirect some of the heat from the lamp is forced into the exhaust fan.
Apologies for Metal Halide picture!
Here’s the ladies. I don’t know why they’re still ladies when I have read of ladies turning into gents due to mistreatment. I’d put my treatment of these plants up against the worst offenders! 
Temps now, with oscillating and floor fan on…
I suspect some of the rise in pH may be due to residual effects of previous situation.
E.C. of .8 (400 on 500 scale).
Photo Day - Veg Day 13 (Flush Day 1):
pics just prior to Lights On…extra Sleepy (abused sleepy!)
The wee runts…
I am hoping their droopiness is due to what I put them through yesterday and they’ll revive from the shock I put them through.
I’m hoping they’ll thank me later 
Now I have to finish the P&S light blocks.
Thanks a bunch to those peeking in!
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WHAB
Because most nutes are made for tap water. When you use RO water, you’re stripping that tap water of every nutrient and micronutrient that most tap (municipal) water provides. I’ve been using Botanicare Cal-Mag Plus with my hydro grows for over 13 years. If it didn’t work or didn’t improve my results, I wouldn’t waste my money.
BTW - I’ve never seen an RO system quite like that one. Before you start using it, definitely test the water. If it has anything above zero PPM’s, you should probably change out all the filters, and most importantly, the RO membrane.
I’m sure you’re adding it for good reason. I was just wondering why. Thank you for the explanation, @Purple-N-Hairy ! I have some Cal-Mag here, that’s why I asked.
It is a bit of a tangled mess! It’s running the drinking water tap and supplying the refrigerator. And, yes…IF I were to use it in the grow I’d certainly change all the filters out and have extra on hand since I would be putting a bunch of water through it in a short time.
Thank you, @Purple-N-Hairy … I appreciate the information, sincerely!
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WHAB
You makes me feel lazy man! Lol.
I’m feeling for you. The amount of work you put in.
I hope your plants perk up soon. They are still hanging in there tho. Your determination is inspiring.
I would have thrown duct tape around those buckets and called it a day. What you did will keep them cool during feed.
I hope you get everything squared and dialed in for your own sanity. Lol. I’m a pretty chill dude but everyone has there breaking point. I’m sure with everyone here you should get her worked out.
I wish I could be more help. Eb n flow is not my thing. At least I know now what those big net pots are for. I do believe if you are running that in an attic you might want some kind of chiller before it get to warm outside. I definitely understand you not wanting to get an actual chiller $$$. You might be able to get away with a DYI. Your pretty crafty.
Be back with your likes.
Thanks, @LilJonB !
I could barely walk when I got done that day. I wrapped the other 4 buckets in P&S yesterday and my back was still hating me. When I got up out of this chair last night to lay down I was still feeling it.
Duct Tape is not allowed anywhere near me! 
True story…I hate that stuff!
Yes, it should help keep the root zone from overheating. Covering buckets is why I had that roll laying around. It’s from my last hydro grow more than a decade ago that I never used.
I almost bought a chiller the other day but then I read something that said condition the space the reservoir is in and you don’t need a chiller. That made sense to me. I do have plans to put in an air conditioner system. IF I get a multiple zone A/C I can put one in the grow spaces, even in the attic. The only consideration there is I don’t want to cut through the double-stack brick wall. Not because it’s brick but because I don’t want to modify the structure that way. I don’t want to start cutting holes through these nearly 100 year old walls.
I have been offered a office water cooler I could DIY into a Res Chiller.
Thank you for your comments, @LilJonB
friend!,
WHAB
Yeah I seen little AC units. Technology has came a long way.
Yes, I have thought about a small air conditioner aimed directly at the reservoir. I ‘think’ that is a great option!
Interestingly, that MABOTO Air Conditioner Portable doesn’t show up on a DuckDuckGo or Walmart website search.
Heat is a concern for any indoor grower. The air conditioner in my grow space was purchased for me not for plants! But, it is needed in there more than I need it right now 
I can get some help from people I trust. I don’t like to bother people for my work. The other day I did asked my AMAZING SIL for those planters and garden soil for the wee ones, I let her know it was an emergency and she brought them to me
She has already agreed to help me trim roots when that becomes necessary UNLESS I can devise a ‘stand’ I can adapt to set the inner buckets on where I can trim the roots myself. My Thought Process Machine has been working on that ever since I asked her and she agreed to help me
I’m willing to sacrifice my body and/or my relaxation for any good cause and pay for it later! It’s the Marine in me! Some things are worthy of sacrifice!
Thank you again for your comments and ideas, they are greatly appreciate, @LilJonB
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WHAB
Here’s something I thought of a long time ago. I have used them in a vegetable garden. It is something I have been wanting to do for this grow. It is something I talked to @Oldjoints about when we met. BUT, I put it off when the plants looked like they were failing. Why label plants that are dead!
Except for the cost of tie wraps and your time and your dirt, it’s virtually free. I only tighten the tie wrap into the first few catches, I don’t strap it down tight. The plant can have a very large stalk and not come close to being effected by the tie wrap.
I only had enough time to take that close-up before I had to remove my Metal Halide picture takin’ box before it caught fire! 
I’ve made and added them to the plants so now they MUST survive! :
Several of the plants are doing well after the Emergency flush. A few aren’t. I do think they’ll all survive, even the wee ones! I’m leaving all their leaves on until they recuperate.
I’m now turning my attention back to the Cloning Machine II.
I’ve been wondering how the manifold would finally fit in the cloner after I modify it to provide a improved seal for the lid.
I bought 3/4 inch angle iron (aluminum) to attach the bulb seal I bought for it. Once the aluminum angle is in place the opening will be 1-1/2 inch smaller (narrower) in both directions, width and length. For me to be able to remove the manifold once the seal assembly is in place it has to be able to fit through the opening. I can’t change the size of the seal assembly. That means I have to adjust the length and width of the manifold by at least 1-1/2 inch.
I did mark ALL the pieces this time! 
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WHAB
Finished the manufacturing of the manifold. I cut 3/4 inch from every long side pipes. I replaced 2 small pipe sections that got jumbled up in the come-apart above! 
And then, @Gpaw came up with a great suggestion to lay the pump on its side so I can get the pump closer to any side where plumbing the pump in before his suggestion was impossible. Thank you so very much, @Gpaw . My brain was stuck on putting the pump within the inner sections because I couldn’t fit it in along the sides!
But that was before I shortened the sections. They had me thinking, though! I decided to use one of the leg sections to mount the pump! This allowed me to get another full section without messing with the spray nozzle pattern (the pattern is a bit askew as mentioned previous).
Then I had to remove my first failed seal. Then I had to remove my second failed attempt to repair the previous failed seal!
The manifold is done. I had to remake one of the long pipes…the spacing wasn’t right. I suspect I didn’t get the correct pipe back in the right place in the “jumble” !
Tank is cleaned inside and out. I just removed the last remnants of 12(?) year old packing tape (man, that stuff stuck good! ). And, again, Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover to the rescue! I tried a couple of different methods that didn’t work. Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover soaked for a few minutes and a fresh razor blade got the job done. Also, the razor blade turned out to be the best way to remove the residue of the liquids from the cloner that leaked out and ran down the sides of it. That residue is the reason for the seal upgrade. I had to use a 2 gallon bucket (it was handy, didn’t use it for size. And a cheapo brand ground Espresso can to catch the leaks). I still have to take care of on the top - liquid residue and some remnant glue.
The above is in preparation of manufacturing a proper seal so the tank doesn’t leak any more. A proper seal until I discover it has failed too, and in the tradition of Lean (Continuous Improvement) I have to try something else!
IF anyone is interested in precision hole processing I’m going to attempt it with what I have on hand. Consider also, this is Stainless Steel which presents a challenge in its own right.
As part of the preparation I have to calculate the proper compression of the Bulb Seal. IF it’s not compressed enough it won’t seal. IF it’s compressed too much it will push the lid up and not seal…
Another does of Rocket Fuel and it’s Full Steam Ahead!
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WHAB
My damned neighbor just interrupted me! They upset my flow, man!!!
Oh, they came bearing gifts!.. Never mind!
We chatted for a bit. They said they got some Turkey recently and I asked if I was getting free Turkey too!
I asked them what a couple of trees were right next to where we were talking.
Not our trees - we have 2 right out front. Ours aren’t in full bloom yet. Maybe another day or two.
I knew they were Red something but I couldn’t remember the rest of the name. They’re Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) (understory trees). Although they don’t look Red to me. I think they look more Lavender than Red. They are describes as being Magenta. I guess I was closer than calling them Red!
They told me they had tried to grow some but couldn’t get them to root. I told them I’d try and get him some rooted cuttings. I did not explain to him how
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WHAB
I only got this far. Texting with neighbor, SIL and placing a large order (in more ways than 1 ) to include extension discussion regarding expert guidance took me off my game.
Weapons used …
That dark part in the foreground is this…
A broken indicator mount. It’s broken but it is precise in its remaining dimensions. Exactly 1/2 (.500), the calculated compressed dimension of the bulb seal from its starting height of .649. Which I verified with the dial calipers. Dead on. IF it fails it’s in my calculations
Then I was going to cut my aluminum angle at 45° to show it can be done precisely by hand - but I opted for a butt-joint instead. I think that will provide a better seal. I’m not showing off! :whistle: Again, IF it fails it’s in my calculations
I cut the long sides first. I’ve got the 2 long sides in place, then I measured the short sides (they vary by 1/32 inch). I’m cutting them close to final dimension and filing them down to finish dimension for a tight fit - then I use the deburring knife tool (a Triangular type) pictured to deburr the cut ends.
BUT, It’s Spaghetti Sunday. I had Spaghetti Sunday Tuesday (it may have been Spaghetti Sunday Wednesday) last week. Not today. I haven’t had a meal since then. I’m HUNGRY! 
I’ll try and get back to the task once sated!
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WHAB
Great work. Great skills. Don’t stop. Lol
Great looking tree. You got some cool stuff going on.
Thank you, @anon62804309 ! Nice of you to say!
I’ll try and get a little more done - but, now it’s getting pretty late (for ‘most’ people) and Spaghetti Sunday is weighing on me now! It was delicious! Man O’Man! Newman’s Own Roasted Garlic is awesome! (except for the stewed tomatoes. I’ve never liked stewed tomatoes! )
Yes, the Redbud are beautiful trees. They sort of caught me off guard last year. I wasn’t expecting that blast of amazing color right outside the front door!
We have another unique feature around here I had never seen before. My first Winter here at the 1924 Schoolhouse I was driving around and these trees kept catching my attention. I had no idea what they were. I did a search for Bone White Tree Missouri.
Sycamore came up. They’re also called Skeleton Trees
Good morning, friend!
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WHAB
Beautiful trees for sure. I would call the red ones Magenta as well. Some scientist was color blind. Or they started out red someplace and ended up that color. We have seen crazier in our plants.
I love the Sycamores. I wish there was more in MD. It would always rub me the wrong way people carving crap in them.
Awesome! Sycamores are great trees. If you need more, I’m just across the Kansas border, and we have a whole yard of native trees and shrubs, and forbes and grasses too.
I never heard them called skeleton trees, but that makes perfect sense. I love learning what the common names for things are. I’m not good at latin names either. I leave that up to my wife. 
But for real, if you need any natives for any areas, let me know. I’m Right off I70. And we have about 1000+ trees/shrubs and I dunno how many species.
Let nature be your teacher. Avoid non Native species. They tend to be pushy and will out compete many useful flora. It’s a big responsibility, since most plants will be around long after we’re gone. We plant our non Native I’m confined areas and have to be aware of their flowering time so we can avoid seeds moving on their own. Sorry. I’m rambling. Sycamores just get me excited.
