using stagnant/old rain water for plants?

[CF89]

we have a barrel out back with some rain water thats a month or two old.

I also made bubble hash and then poured the green hash water in there too.

so now its kind of this gross mix of brownish water that my dad thinks is absolutely horrible for the plants. is this true? I figure its full of all sorts of nutrients and bacteria and stuff that probably wont hurt.

whos right?

 

[growsince79]

If the plants are outside maybe. Indoors rainwater should be fresh and filtered.

 

[CF89]

they are indoor plants. its either they get the dirty rain water (which worked great last grow) or tap water which has unknown chemicals in it.

if I were to use tap water.... is letting it sit in a tub for a few days a good way of de-chlorinating it?

 

[tomatoesarecooltoo]

About removing the chlorine, Research whether your area uses chloramine or just chlorine. Chlorine will bubble out, chloramine won’t.

Also I don’t think anyone will have the right answer to whether that old hash water is good or bad without trying it. If you did a side by side I would follow along.

 

[CF89]

its almost too late. ive got too many variables already to do an accurate test. all 4 plants are being trained way differently.

 

[Poekie]

its almost too late. ive got too many variables already to do an accurate test. all 4 plants are being trained way differently.

Problem with stagnant water is algae start growing, and not the beneficial algae.
Try mixing old rainwater with fresh tapwater, the chlorine will diminish the algae.
After that try oxygenating the water, simply by moving it around with a stick or throwing buckets of the water in the barrel, anything to create bubbles.
A small aquarium pump would be great as well.
Good luck !

 

[Poekie]

its almost too late. ive got too many variables already to do an accurate test. all 4 plants are being trained way differently.

And yes, i also use the water from the hash making, never had any trouble with that, diluted with water the plants seem to love it.

 

[CF89]

theres definitely algae in our rain barrel.

if its that bad maybe ill just use tap water. was trying to save a few bucks and maybe give them better water too at the same time but doesnt seem to work that way I guess.

theres only about 20 gallons in it anyways.

 

[Poekie]

theres definitely algae in our rain barrel.

if its that bad maybe ill just use tap water. was trying to save a few bucks and maybe give them better water too at the same time but doesnt seem to work that way I guess.

theres only about 20 gallons in it anyways.

If you mix it with tapwater, the chlorine in tapwater will deminish the unwanted algae.
Then try oxygenating as i explained, moving it wildly with a stick, take out buckets and throw them back in, or the aquariumpump.
Some species of algae are very benificial for your plants, but not the one growing in stagnant water.

 

[JadedMarxist]

I use rainwater exclusively. Unless mother nature shits the bed.

I do use a splash of enzyme complete in the barrel every so oftin but that's it and I use the water in my soil gardens and my dwc never had a problem with it either using fresh or stagnant for a month. I don't Filter it either.

I guess it would depend on where you might be if in a large very industrialized city with high levels of particulate matter in the air you may have to adjust ph more oftin or depending an what the rain came into contact with.

I do drain my barrel in the fall as it would crack the barrel if the water froze but I think water sitting for months may be ok for plants but it breeds disease infected bugs like sars and west Nile mosquitos.

If it were me I'd skim the algae off the top and use it.

If not gonna use it dump it asap if you like to be west Nile or bird flu free.

 

[Poekie]

I use rainwater exclusively. Unless mother nature shits the bed.

I do use a splash of enzyme complete in the barrel every so oftin but that's it and I use the water in my soil gardens and my dwc never had a problem with it either using fresh or stagnant for a month. I don't Filter it either.

I guess it would depend on where you might be if in a large very industrialized city with high levels of particulate matter in the air you may have to adjust ph more oftin or depending an what the rain came into contact with.

I do drain my barrel in the fall as it would crack the barrel if the water froze but I think water sitting for months may be ok for plants but it breeds disease infected bugs like sars and west Nile mosquitos.

If it were me I'd skim the algae off the top and use it.

If not gonna use it dump it asap if you like to be west Nile or bird flu free.

Me too, love the rainwater. And even if its old and dirty, i just throw it through my homemade filterbarrel.
Very easy, big barrel, holes in the bottom, placed on top of some stones so there is space underneath to collect the clean water coming out.
In the barrel first some small stones, then tiny stones/gravel, then a big layer of sand with some activated carbon on top and thats it.
Whats coming out is clear and clean !