Hard water

Hi guys ive got a question about hard water and the effect that it have on plants. The water parameters from my tap is ph 8.4 kh 20 gh 3. Would it affect the plants negatively? Would it be better to use RO water? Or should i mix the two? If so in what ratio? Also the water is going through a water softner firts. I feel that the plants dont grow as they should and wants to know what the problem could be.

 

It all depends on the plant species.Some plants are able to use bicarbonates in the water as a carbon source,these are usually plants that have evolved in hard water in nature,although some soft water plants can use bicarbonates as well.
Soft water plants have evolved in more acidic water and Co2 is more prevalent in soft,acidic water.These plants will rather use Co2 as a carbon source.
That being said,soft water plants can grow very well in hard water because they are not limited by Calcium and magnesium like they would be in soft water.

What plants do you keep and what fert dosing regime do you follow?

 

@Yster, trust you to start a thread called "Hard water" !
Yster - Hard water - get it? :bigsmile: