Growing cannabis at home can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One issue that nearly cost me my plants was the use of home tap water, especially in households equipped with water softener systems. I learned the hard way just how detrimental this can be for your cannabis plants.
Many homes use water softeners to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium, replacing them with sodium. While this makes the water better for household use, it can spell disaster for your plants. Softened water can lead to an excess of sodium in the soil, which affects the plant's ability to take up essential nutrients.
In my case, the total dissolved solids (TDS) of my tap water measured an alarming 4000 ppm. This high concentration of dissolved salts was toxic to my plants, and I noticed them suffering almost immediately.
Realizing the problem, I quickly switched to using reverse osmosis (RO) water. RO water is essentially purified water, free from the salts and minerals that are present in tap water. After switching, I saw an immediate improvement in my plants' health.
I also checked the TDS levels after using fresh nutrients with the RO water, and they came in at a much healthier 900–1100 ppm. This is within the optimal range for cannabis cultivation and ensures that the plants receive the right balance of nutrients without the harmful excess salts.
Test Your Water: Always test your tap water before using it on your plants. A TDS meter is an inexpensive tool that can save you a lot of trouble.
Consider RO Water: If your tap water has high TDS levels, consider using RO water. Many grow shops sell RO systems, or you can buy bottled RO water.
Monitor Your Plants: Keep a close eye on your plants for signs of nutrient burn or deficiency, which can be caused by improper water quality.
Adjust Nutrient Levels: When switching to RO water, remember that you might need to adjust your nutrient levels, as RO water lacks the minerals present in tap water.
One of the best ways I stay on top of these issues is by keeping a cannabis grow journal using PLnTrk. It’s not just any journal—PLnTrk is a full-featured weed growing app that lets me log every detail of my grow in real time. From water quality to nutrient schedules and recovery efforts, I track it all.
I use NFC tags and QR codes to quickly scan plants and log updates right from my phone, whether I’m in the veg room or flower tent. Over time, that data becomes a goldmine. I can look back, identify patterns, and make smarter decisions for future grows.
If you’re not already using a digital grow journal, I highly recommend giving PLnTrk a try. It’s made a massive difference in how I manage my grow—and it’s saved more than one plant along the way.
The Problem with Softened Tap Water
Many homes use water softeners to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium, replacing them with sodium. While this makes the water better for household use, it can spell disaster for your plants. Softened water can lead to an excess of sodium in the soil, which affects the plant's ability to take up essential nutrients.
In my case, the total dissolved solids (TDS) of my tap water measured an alarming 4000 ppm. This high concentration of dissolved salts was toxic to my plants, and I noticed them suffering almost immediately.
The Rescue Plan: Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water
Realizing the problem, I quickly switched to using reverse osmosis (RO) water. RO water is essentially purified water, free from the salts and minerals that are present in tap water. After switching, I saw an immediate improvement in my plants' health.
I also checked the TDS levels after using fresh nutrients with the RO water, and they came in at a much healthier 900–1100 ppm. This is within the optimal range for cannabis cultivation and ensures that the plants receive the right balance of nutrients without the harmful excess salts.
Tips for Cannabis Growers
Test Your Water: Always test your tap water before using it on your plants. A TDS meter is an inexpensive tool that can save you a lot of trouble.
Consider RO Water: If your tap water has high TDS levels, consider using RO water. Many grow shops sell RO systems, or you can buy bottled RO water.
Monitor Your Plants: Keep a close eye on your plants for signs of nutrient burn or deficiency, which can be caused by improper water quality.
Adjust Nutrient Levels: When switching to RO water, remember that you might need to adjust your nutrient levels, as RO water lacks the minerals present in tap water.
Log It All with a Cannabis Grow Journal
One of the best ways I stay on top of these issues is by keeping a cannabis grow journal using PLnTrk. It’s not just any journal—PLnTrk is a full-featured weed growing app that lets me log every detail of my grow in real time. From water quality to nutrient schedules and recovery efforts, I track it all.
I use NFC tags and QR codes to quickly scan plants and log updates right from my phone, whether I’m in the veg room or flower tent. Over time, that data becomes a goldmine. I can look back, identify patterns, and make smarter decisions for future grows.
If you’re not already using a digital grow journal, I highly recommend giving PLnTrk a try. It’s made a massive difference in how I manage my grow—and it’s saved more than one plant along the way.
PLnTrk