For anyone with bad quality water.

[yenling83]

I finished installing my new watering set up and wanted to share a few pictures. I'm now using a combo of collected rain water and reverse osmosis water for my trees. I have horrible water out of the tap, it's around 300 ppm smells like Chlorine and leaves white stuff on my pots and trees.

Both the 3 Rain Barrels and the new RO are linked to the trash can. I use a sub pump to pump the water out of the can and through my watering wand.

 

[garywood]

Water quality is something most of us take for granted and never give it a thought. I've been to places in SoCal and the Southwest where I'm amazed at the ability of the growers to just keep trees alive, much-less thrive. I applaud You for having the commitment and resources to improve the health and refinement of your trees. By the way, nice set-up

 

[daygan]

Just curious - how much did the equipment for this setup cost you?

 

[Poink88]

Nice setup.

I would do the same if I have the space AND my HOA would allow me. If ever, I can do the RO because the area where the faucet is concealed by plants. It is the simplest, no need for a pump and we don't get enough rainwater here anyway.

 

[davetree]

Nice setup. I have used RO water for years, ever since I moved into my current home. The water quality is not so good with a lot of magnesium and sodium. It only took one season of growing with that water before I purchased an RO system for trees and drinking water. I have been very happy with the results. I make sure to regularly give my trees micro-nutrients. This spring I am going to install rain barrels to catch water off the roof as well.

 

[A Random User]

I use the rain barrels and sump pump with a garden hose as well...
But, not because my water is necessarily bad, but for the fact that
where I am, when it rains, it can fill up a 50 gallon drum in a night.

 

[davetree]

The pump to the watering wand is something I had not thought of. Nice idea !

 

[yenling83]

Just curious - how much did the equipment for this setup cost you?

I think total was around $450. Largest costs were $220 on the RO-Stealth 200 on Amazon. $60 for the olive oil barrels on Craigslist, $45 for Brute Can & Lid, then the fittings, cinder blocks, PVC cement, and rubbermaid shed. I'm sure you could do it for cheaper if you really wanted to. Or you could spend alot more as well.


Thanks for all the feedback. Glad to hear others are using RO and rain barrels too. Wish I diden't have to have a set up like this, but it's helped a ton. I have more details and pics on my blog if anyone is setting something up right now, or is thinking about it in the future.

 

[crust]

I use covered stock tanks (long and narrow). They double as green house benches. I will end up adding the RO sometime being lately we have long late summer droughts. The big plus for me water is not mineralized, it does not jack my PH like it did before plus is at a better temp.

 

[QuintinBonsai]

I wish I had one of these things for my shower head. You're right about the water here. I believe the water in SoCal is about the worst in the nation. Being originally from the east coast, I've never had to use lotion so much like I do now. lol

 

[bonsai barry]

So Yenling how is your rain collection system working after this last rain?