How important is water
quality?
Water containing too much calcium and magnesium (called
"total Hardness") may create serious problems.
Contact your municipal water supplier who can provide
you with an analysis of your water supply. If you are
using well water, there are many laboratories that can
provide you with an analysis if you send them a sample.
If the dissolved salts in your water supply measure
200 ppm or more, we strongly recommend that you obtain
a water analysis to determine calcium content. Excessive
calcium is the main factor in determining if your water
is hard. If an analysis of your water supply reveals
that the Calcium content of your water supply is greater
than 70 ppm (mg/liter) you should use Hardwater FloraMicro.
Hardwater FloraMicro provides rapidly growing plants
with a combination of chelated micronutrients uniquely
formulated for hardwater conditions. Other options are
to collect rainwater, install a reverse osmosis filtration
system, or use purified water. Do not use mineral or
"spring" water, which can unbalance the nutrient
solution, or even be toxic to plants.
My water is chlorinated, is this a problem?
Chlorine is highly volatile, it evaporates as soon
as it hits the air. By the time the nutrient solution
reaches the roots, the chlorine is gone.
I understand the roots also need oxygen. How do
they get it?
In a properly functioning hydroponic unit, the roots
receive oxygen from the air which surrounds them,
as well as from the oxygen which is dissolved in the
nutrient solution. The proper medium can play an important
role in this process. |
