My tap water in units

[IvoPhal]

I received some analysis form my tap water. I know that a number of times members discussed this topic and the answer is: use pure water.
Anyway, my tap water seems to be in good quality, see the table below:

		Annual units for 2024​
Total alkalinity	meq/l​	0,9​
Total organic carbon	mg/l​	2,15​
Manganese	MQ/l​	<10​
Calcium	mg/l​	11​
Magnesium	mg/l​	2,2​
Sodium	mg/l​	5,0​
Potassium	mg/l​	1,5​
Boron	mg/l​	<0,0050​
Lead	mq/i​	<1,0​
Arsenic	mq/i​	0,19​
Antimony	Mg/l​	<0,10​
Selenium	Mg/l​	<1,0​
Chrome	mq/i​	<0,10​
Cadmium	mq/i​	<0,10​
Mercury	mq/i​	<0,020​
Nickel	mq/i​	<1,0​
Copper	mg/l​	0,0011​
Zinc	mg/l​	<0,0050​
Natural uranium	MQ/l​	<1,0​
Ammonium ions	mg/l​	<0,010​
Nitrites	mg/l​	<0,010​
Nitrates	mg/l​	0,73​
Sulphates	mg/l​	9,5​
Phosphates	mg/l​	<0,100​
Fluorides	mg/l​	0,076​
Chlorides	mg/l​	6,3​
Bromates	MQ/l​	<2,0​
Chlorites	mg/l​	<0,010​
Chlorates	mg/l​	<0,010​
pesticides	MQ/l​	<0,010​
Trihalomethanes	MQ/l​	<10​

According to my PH meter tap water is around 7 PH. I use a few drops of nitric acid to bring it with fertilizer around 6 pH.
I use also dolomitic powder to medium and waiting 1 hour after waring the PH is around 7.50.
I should be grateful for any comments.
I have a few branchys, spicerarium, Paph. helenae, Paph. callosum, and 1 vinicolor (deep red wine color), all in bark and perlite (the beginner mistake to repot frequently).

 

[Ray]

Yes, that's pretty good water.

I'd simplify life and just use a fertilizer that contains calcium and magnesium, and do no further adjustments.

 

[IvoPhal]

Thank you, according to your advice, I use kelpak and so I have visible success with all my phals. For Paphs I think I have to rise Humidity...
Thank again for the support!

 

[CharlesD]

Yes agree with Ray. I would not add the lime as you really want pour through pH to be 6. 7.5 is too high. As long as the fertilizer you use has some ammonia or urea it will reduce the pH of your water to the right range with your regular fertilizing. Peter’s calmag is a good one

 

[IvoPhal]

Thank you very much for your input!
I have some liquid ex Roelke nitrogen balanced and Hesi urea based fertilisers. After adding them to achieve 100 ppm nitrogen than ph is 7,5.
Of course I have also peters excell callas grower 15-5-15 npk and akerne’ s rainmix.
So, I should stop adding lime and try peters feed to achieve lower ph without adding nitric acid, sound like a good culture plan?
Тhank you again for guidance regarding practical aspects to grow without “pure water”.

 

[CharlesD]

Thank you very much for your input!
I have some liquid ex Roelke nitrogen balanced and Hesi urea based fertilisers. After adding them to achieve 100 ppm nitrogen than ph is 7,5.
Of course I have also peters excell callas grower 15-5-15 npk and akerne’ s rainmix.
So, I should stop adding lime and try peters feed to achieve lower ph without adding nitric acid, sound like a good culture plan?
Тhank you again for guidance regarding practical aspects to grow without “pure water”.

I’m not as familiar with those feeds but they are probably fine. If the solution pH is that high using nitric acid is probably fine too. But for sure don’t use the lime if your pour through pH is that high. Often bark mix will have a lower pH (ie below 6) so if your plants don’t have the lime added you’re probably fine just mixing the fertilizer and not adjusting pH as the mix will already be at a lower pH. That would be the make your life easy option

 

[Arne]

Yes agree with Ray. I would not add the lime as you really want pour through pH to be 6. 7.5 is too high. As long as the fertilizer you use has some ammonia or urea it will reduce the pH of your water to the right range with your regular fertilizing. Peter’s calmag is a good one

I guess you mean the opposite, right? Urea and ammonia increase the pH, nothing else.

 

[CharlesD]

I guess you mean the opposite, right? Urea and ammonia increase the pH, nothing else.

Sorry - the ammonia or urea will create an acidifying reaction when absorbed the roots - as for actual pH of the applied solution I’m not sure of the effect as I only ever test the water with full NPK fertilizer mixed. I’m not versed enough in the chemistry to comment on that. But regardless the acidifying effect when it absorbed will be more important to root zone pH.

 

[IvoPhal]

Ok, the lesson learned is not to lime so much. I have been doing that multiple times. Overthinking and overliming.