In this series of contributor articles, Clif Tomasini of Quest Hydro continues the discussion on how to maintain a proper grow room with great yields despite an ongoing drought. With concerns about climate change in the future, these tips may come in handy!
Want to read Part 2? Click here to read it.
The following is an article produced by a contributing author. Growers Network does not endorse nor evaluate the claims of our contributors, nor do they influence our editorial process. We thank our contributors for their time and effort so we can continue our exclusive Growers Spotlight service.
This article has been reposted with permission from Quest Hydro. The original article can be found here.
In the last article, we talked about how your dehumidifier can provide you with a steady, renewable water supply for “free” even during drought conditions – and there’s very little you need to do to keep that water supply clean as long as you follow a few general “best practices.”
Follow these “best practices” to make sure your condensate water is clean and safe to use
Run your dehumidifier if it’s been idle first
If your dehumidifier has been sitting idle, run it for three days before you try to use the condensate water from it. Dehumidifiers that are allowed to sit for more than a couple of days should be dried out as completely as possible in order to discourage mold growth.
Test the condensate to make sure it’s free of contaminants
The Environmental Protection Agency defined safe contaminant levels in drinking water through the Safe Drinking Water Act, established in 1974. Individual states can establish their own standards if they are at least as strict as the EPA’s.
Contaminant levels should be well within acceptable limits as long as your dehumidifier is in good working order and has proper filtration. However, it’s always a good idea to test condensate water for heavy metals, nitrates, and bacteria – and state law may require you to if you are a commercial grower.
Keep your dehumidifier and filter clean
Your dehumidifier will produce condensate water that can be used as-is, provided you keep the filter in place and clean regularly. Dust, bacteria, and other pollutants can contaminate condensate water if the dehumidifier’s filter is absent or not maintained properly.
Keep the filter in place, and follow the filter guidelines for it; clean or replace the filter as directed.
Keep your dehumidifier running continuously and recycling water
Why? Because just using and reusing condensate water over and over again keeps it clean. As long as you always use a high-quality, clean air filter during operation, the constant recycling of the dehumidifier’s condensate water discourages mold growth.
Don’t overlook a ready, renewable, “free” water supply for your plants, especially if you’re dealing with drought conditions. The condensate water from your dehumidifier is always available. Best of all, it’s free, clean, and safe – as long as you keep just a few best practices in mind.
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- Website: https://questhydro.com/
- Email: info@questhydro.com
- Phone: 877-420-1330
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About the Author
Quest builds quality, energy-efficient dehumidification equipment designed to perform in commercial environments. Quest has the solution for any indoor or greenhouse gardening application. Quest dehumidifiers are extremely energy efficient on the market, removing the most pints of water per kWh over the widest temperature range.