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Was wondering if anyone has found a reasonable solution for using a… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

PhiloMena

Was wondering if anyone has found a reasonable solution for using a humidifier in a very hard water region. I live in the desert southwest so a humidifier is essential for my plants. Using hard water in my humidifier clearly is bad all around. Obviously bad for the machine but it seems to put out a talcum like mist. There’s a film of baby powderish dust on everything that never existed before. Here’s the issue: -It takes about a gallon every 24 hours. Therefore, using distilled water doesn’t seem financially sustainable for me. -Boiling water, or letting it sit out doesn’t do anything but slightly reduce the magnesium/calcium levels. -Tap water conditioner doesn’t seem to work either. -I can’t afford a reverse osmosis filter. -last time it rained was 200 days ago. -home distilled water seems insane. Like several hours to produce 1 gallon. So just curious if others were in a similar predicament. Also, is it dangerous to breathe in hard water mist?

4 likes 6 comments

6 comments

  1. Phil

    You are right it can be expensive but distilled water is best for cool mist humidifiers. I’ve heard using the faucet add on filters help a lot. The powder coating on everything is actually the minerals in the water which also creates problems for the machine too. You could try one that creates a hot mist. But output is probably much lower. How about a local water service that delivers those huge bottles of water to homes? That may get expensive also though. An RO system can be expensive but they are more rewarding than you may realize. Just had my RO system replaced and it was $1500. But that was even discounted because all plumbing for the system was already installed. I think your faucet filter may be best way to go.

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    • PhiloMena

      Thank you so much! I didn’t even think of that which is crazy because I use a shower filter. I’ll be looking for immediately.

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  2. Plantsmybeloved

    Hey, also in the same area with hard water, and I've noticed a higher amount of dust from the humidity weighing it down. Maybe that could be your problem?

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    • PhiloMena

      Oh it’s definitely dusty. Right now it’s so dusty I can hear hit the windows. But I have a high capacity air filter, and I can see the evidence of white dust over everything in that room. Wasn’t there before. Apparently it’s a common issue with humidifiers and scaley water. And not currently dealing with plants being weighed down..yet

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  3. Wolfen 🐺

    I only use DI water or RO water in humidifiers. It makes them last longer and you don't have to descale with vinegar. And it will create a "vapor" of minerals that's annoying as hell

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  4. Wolfen 🐺

    Maybe you could mix the DI with the tap to at least cut it back? They do make humidifier drops to kick down on scale, I've personally never used them. I'm not sure that just a bit of vinegar would do the same

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