Fly trap Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 Apologies for posting again in such a short amount of time but I have run into a bit of a problem, recently I've collected about 5 litres of rain water in a large barrel by simply redirecting the rain that falls from my roofs drains and my roof itself. My question is, is there a chance the rainwater may have picked up additional nutrients as it was running down the roofs pipe and the roof itself ?. Need advice as plants are arriving soon and that is the only rainwater I have collected :/ - Thanks a lot:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 It'll probably be fine. I collect both from my greenhouse roof and house roof. Later marley tiles and plastic downpipes. The house roof is slightly higher tds. Can be a bit more dusty too at times but I've never had any problems using it for my CPs. tds usually 20 to 30 compared to less than 20 off the greenhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly trap Posted February 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 6 hours ago, Dunc said: It'll probably be fine. I collect both from my greenhouse roof and house roof. Later marley tiles and plastic downpipes. The house roof is slightly higher tds. Can be a bit more dusty too at times but I've never had any problems using it for my CPs. tds usually 20 to 30 compared to less than 20 off the greenhouse. That's a relief, however in noticed some moss growth in the drainage system and in the roof, would that be any reason for concern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobH Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 If you are at all concerned about the water quality, buy a TDS meter from Amazon. They cost less than £10 and will give you peace of mind. Moss should not be a problem. The only concern may be if you live in an industrial area where the rainwater may pick up contaminants in the atmosphere. Otherwise you should be fine. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 As RobH says, TDS (and pH) meters are cheap essentials. A lot of my rainwater comes off the roof and has never been a problem. I also have an RO system for when water gets in short supply, a cheap used kit off the Bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltatango301 Posted February 9, 2019 Report Share Posted February 9, 2019 The books say you can use rainwater that's under 100 TDS without fear of problems with your plants, mine comes off the greenhouse and garage roof and its 20-30 TDS in different parts of the country their tap water is under 100 TDS and can be used sadley my tap water is around 350 TDS so totally useless, as with many members last summer was a complete washout no rain for weeks so I also bought a RO system for a backup, so nothing to fear this summer, happy growing come on spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsiel Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 (edited) I can relate to RobH and Keith's words! The TDS meters are really great. Especially taking into consideration the fact that they are kind of ... really cheap, it makes them one of the best products on the market, taking into consideration the price per quality ratio. I am having an issue with my roof as I have found a couple of water leakages. I already called the guys from https://city2surfroofing.com.au/roof-repairs-sydney/, as they are probably the best specialists in roof repairs. Hope they will do it all right. Edited April 5, 2021 by Elsiel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triffid Guy Posted June 21, 2021 Report Share Posted June 21, 2021 (edited) As I’ve just started out at keeping Carnivores I cannot say what may happen with my collection but my rainwater is collected in a butt from the house roof. The water tested with my TDS varies from 84 up to 130…. the higher measurements seem to happen when it hasn’t rained for long periods of time. For the plants I am experimenting standing some of the pots in seperate dishes, some with distilled water and others with just the rainwater. Edited June 21, 2021 by Triffid Guy Missed out some information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisB Posted June 21, 2021 Report Share Posted June 21, 2021 Hi The only issue with water is its hardness - which your rainwater won't be . There will be other dissolved/undissolved solids in your rainwater but these will settle out fairly quickly and in any case (and unless you have a very strange roof) they will be harmless. You can use your TDS meter to test your tap water but I guess Brighton's tap water is likely to be too hard. Good luck Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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