RO or Water Chiller?

BlankMotif · 07-04-2009, 08:05 AM

So I'm down to the last of my funds for my grow room. I have a decision to make, buying a RO system or a water chiller. My grow room temperatures are 77-78 during light hours and my res temps are a few degrees below that. I don't want to take the chance of mold or root rot of happening but at the same token RO water is ideal.

So what should I buy? I am almost out of capital to spend.

Allglad · 07-04-2009, 09:01 AM

I would check PH & PPM. Then decide.

I am no way near good with non-soil hydro, but unless you have crazy readings I would lean to the chiller. PPM and PH can be adjusted much easier than water temp without a chiller.

**bluecheese** · 07-04-2009, 09:17 AM

It really depends on what your water is like.

RO was the first installation in my grow room. The chillers came two years later after I had saved up for them. The chillers are nice, but not essential like RO water was.

bloodysafety · 07-04-2009, 10:20 AM

Im totally in the dark about the chillers. but Shouldn't hardness be a deciding factor on weather or not you even NEED a RO set up?

BlankMotif · 07-04-2009, 10:37 AM

The ph level is 7.8 and ppm is 108 coming out of the tap.

**bluecheese** · 07-04-2009, 11:02 AM

Don't invest in an RO unit. A ppm of 108 will do - that is still considered soft water. At 180 ppm water is called hard.

In all honesty, I'd say wait on the chiller too. It is entirely possible you don't need it. IMO you can't really tell if you need one until you try it without it.

Besides being expensive, they generate heat & run up the electric bill. I'd try it at least once without one. If your roots get bad, you may have to use some H2O2 or hygrozyme to get you through though.

Quote:

HYGROZYME prevents the formation of pythium and algae, speeds up degradation of dead organic matters and facilitates chemical nutrient assimilation.

Rumpleforeskin · 07-04-2009, 11:08 AM

RO no question. Not only will it save you money on your drinking water, it gives you precise controll of nutrients your plant gets. I have grown in DWC for years without a chiller, never did I get root rot (not even a little). Clean after each grow and keep it light proof. You will be just fine without one.

This should be a simple decision.

*Luke Highwalker* · 07-04-2009, 02:27 PM

im goin for the chiller on this one.

you can pick up an RO REAL cheap if you need to....also you can BUY ro water from the store or vending machines for 30 cent a gallon.

you cant buy a chiller by the gallon...you either have it or you dont. if res temps and funk are ever an issue at all i would go with the chiller.

i use tap @ 150ppm and never had a problem...just got tired of lugging buckets around.

oh yeah, most at home RO units take forever to fill a bucket much less a res. i had one for my fish tank....ha. so annoying trying to get 20 gallons out that thing..literally took all day.

Rumpleforeskin · 07-04-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

My grow room temperatures are 77-78 during light hours and my res temps are a few degrees below that

No matter what anyone says, you can grow weed just fine in 76 degree nutrient. My nutrient keeps the room temps and during the summer can soar to 88 degrees or more. I would rather cool the whole room then just the reservoir. Chillers take a lot of power, make loads of heat as will as costing the grower a chunk of change. I feel Chiller can help growth rates and make it harder for the scum to grow.

But you have to check out how many of us are using chillers and how many of us growers make do without one. A lot of grow operations I have visited or seen keep the water at room temp (should be cool anyway).

Most growers (apparently not all) will tell you water quality is key.
I would go with water quality every time as would most. No one knows what desolved crap you have in your city water. My city water might not mess with my nutrient mixture, but yours could cause you nothing but probles grow after grow. It depends what is desolved in your water and the types of pipes you have in your home and city.

Quote:

you can BUY ro water from the store or vending machines for 30 cent a gallon

20 gallons will cost you $6, I have to add back a gallon a day during flowering per plant, so a five plant grow may cost $1.50 a day (10.50 a week). Need a reservoir change now and then? Well get your wallet out and lets take drive to the store. Would you rather haul 20 gallons from your sink or take his advice and haul it all the way from the local store. Feel like your saving money yet?

The only thing the guy above me is right about is the low cost of a good RO system.

A 100 gallon a day Reverse Osmosis system can be had for less then $119 and free shipping for a great 5-stage system. Even less if you wanted to shop around more. But I like the 6-stage one below for $152 with free shipping. This is a good deal

It will pay for it's self in drinking water alone. You have to have it if your going hydro. I got one for my soil grow years ago. Best thing I ever did. The water is great.

It fills a 5-gallon bucket just fine. You have to let it recharge between buckets. Takes about six minutes to fill a bucket and a half hour to recharge.

CRAZYTRAIN · 07-04-2009, 05:46 PM

I disagree with Rumpleforeskin. I don't think you need an RO with 108ppm water, but make sure you have that meter calibrated. The reason I don't agree with Rump is because I've grown with high ppm water, 400ppm, and I've grown with RO water and I did just as well in each. A lot of growers I know that use an RO end up topping it off with tap water to the tune of about 100ppm anyway and there are quite a few nute bottles I've brought home stating that if RO water is to be used then CAL/Mag should be added to the water. There are formulas of nutes designed for hard water, GH micro hardwater is one of them. The pure blend pro has to have cal mag added to it... But you don't even have hard water.
The reason I got on RO was because I was getting certain def's here and there, guess what, I'm still getting those same defs on different nutes with RO water now

My room temps are about the same as yours and I've never used a waterchiller and never had a problem.
Why don't you save you money for the little things that pop up unexpectedly.

Knock back a few grows and then decide on it.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
uv water purifier...instead of a chiller?	Underarock	Hydroponics	1	06-06-2009 04:21 AM
Which is Better AC or Water Chiller	waterboy	Hydroponics	21	08-26-2008 09:55 PM
water chiller question	bagabones73	Plant Food & Nutrients	13	09-07-2007 10:22 PM
Chiller,...again.	Juneflyer	Hydroponics	20	06-18-2007 02:21 PM
Res Chiller?	DoVVn_CaSt	Hydroponics	16	07-18-2004 11:08 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate View Forum Leaders Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read

Hot Products: