to RO or not

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justbrad

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2018
Messages
7
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Location
Portland Oregon
When I lived in Los Angeles, I bought a small RO system for my orchids. I didn't know the specific TDS, but looking at any shower head, I could tell it wasn't good.

Upon moving to Portland, OR, I continued to use the slow RO system out of habit. Recently, I purchased and TDS and ph meter and was shocked to learn that my tap water here has a TDS of 11ppm and ph of 7.3

My question..... given the slow speed of the RO (15-20 minutes) gallon and the naturally low TDS... Would you even bother with RO?

Thanks

justbrad
 
Yeah... In Indiana, I was lucky if I could get it down to 30-40 ppm after RO (baseline was usually 400-500+). So if you are starting at 11, count yourself lucky and save yourself some time (and $$$). In Virginia, I typically get readings of 5-10 ppm after RO and my starting is 120-140. Now, I pretty much only use my RO system to feed my mister. When I water, I mostly just use the tap (...from a well, so no chlorine).
 
Residential RO membranes should remove 98-99% of the dissolved solids. Low pressure membranes are usually more in the 92-94% area.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice! The change from SoCal to Portland has proven tricky to some degree,but the water quality sure is an unexpected blessing!
 
Because Portland/Willamette Valley water basically is RO. I raised discus fish in it, grew carnivorous plants with it, and of course grew orchids with it, it is good clean water.
 

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