Rainwater in the reservoir, anyone?

[EmeraldDreams]

Im growing with an aeroponic system. My question is, has anyone ever used a reservoir system like so with half rainwater and half reg res water and nutrients and what not? I always hear rainwater benefits plants growing outdoors, but havent heard at all about growing indoors in aeroponic method with rainwater. Also, not sure about the measurements of each, but I would love to try it out and give it a go IF it would be beneficial or what not. If it is beneficial, then how would or should it be applied? lol... obviously Im curious, but dont know how to try or if there is even a possibility on this one! *shrugz*

EmeraldDreams.

[billybigbud]

I don't see a problem with it. My buddy lives in Hawaii and while it is recomended that the water be clorinated some of the people dont even bother. Just keep a close eye on your roots.

[Ligyron]

Well, I'm thinking rainwater as a primary water source may well be a viable alternative to RO'ing tap water and a hell of a lot cheaper and less wastefull too seeing as how there's a typical rejection rate of 4-5 to 1 for the RO unit I have. The rainwater comes off the roof and my now cleaned up gutter with a ppm of 7 or less and a pH of 6.7 to 6.9. That sure beats dealing with my tap water.

Even captured off the roof and a gutter, as long as you make sure it rains for awhile to wash it off I figure it's worth whatever risk might be involved. With a ppm of 7 or less I figure what could possibly be dissolved at that level to be dangerous?

I considered adding chlorine for saftey and then having to deal with removing that - but I'm thinking, "why bother".

They make a gravity fed RO membrane sock thingy anyway for about $20.00 one can secure in the bottom of a five gallon bucket, the top part being filled with whatever other media one wishes, as it was designed for decomtaminating river water or whatever in disaster zones. It filters out virus, bacteria, heavy metals, most pesticide -- just about everything.

For $20.00 or so I might just run my collected rainwater through one of those to make coffee with but I don't honestly think the plants would care one way or another. Biggest problem around here is algae if it sits in sunlight long enough.

As for rainwater having special qualities - I think it has a lot of dissolved N if there was lightning involved.

[Lungus]

Rainwater rocks. Get a light proof container to hold it so you don't get algae and don't add a thing to it, 7ppm is nothing.