---
title: "I use the bucket method for my vft during these 100+ days.…"
description: "I use the bucket method for my vft during these 100+ days. Evaporation is slower but still using a lot. Would like to get away from buying bottles. Does anyone…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/nCqjNmswTlS-vtdufEldHw/XAVsJy7mIM7poMkLp4uOLc"
community: "Carnivorous Corner"
author: "Light Green Thumb"
published: "2026-08-21T15:40:43.993999Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/carnivoreFertilizer.jpg"
---

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# I use the bucket method for my vft during these 100+ days.…

_Posted by Light Green Thumb on 2026-08-21_

I use the bucket method for my vft during these 100+ days. Evaporation is slower but still using a lot. Would like to get away from buying bottles. Does anyone have a rec for a cost effective pitcher or an aquarium setup? Thanks!

## 7 comments

### AcesHigh commented on 2026-08-22

If you’re talking about not wanting to buy distilled water, you can make your own. If you only have one or 2 plants, you can google how to make your own distilled water which would end up being the boil water and catch condensation method. If you have multiple plants, you may want to invest in buying a machine that makes distilled or reverse osmosis water. A small machine costs around $60.  
If that’s not what you’re talking about, you may want to clarify your post.

#### Light Green Thumb replied on 2026-08-23

Thank you, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. I haven’t seen any systems that cheap. There have been a few “zero” style pitchers but don’t get very good reviews. I’m just trying to get away from buying distilled. Thank you for the info.

#### AcesHigh replied on 2026-08-23

There is one that is called garvee that is sold on Walmart.com that’s only $60 and has good reviews. It pretty much is doing the same thing, the boil and collect condensation but does it for you on a counter top.

#### AcesHigh replied on 2026-08-23

You can also purchase a water tester also called a TDS for around $8-$9 (Amazon or Walmart)which is super easy to use and will make sure that whatever machine you use is really filtering the water. You don’t need to get the water to zero(although that would be nice) just a low number is fine for VFT. Reading Under 50 on your water tester is good, zero to 20 is amazing, but not completely necessary.

#### Light Green Thumb replied on 2026-08-29

That would be great! Thanks for the find!

#### Light Green Thumb replied on 2026-08-29

Thank you! That sounds like a good option as well 😊

### B - Ohio commented on 2026-08-29

I recently saw a hack on Sheffield Made Plants to use water conditioner for aquariums to soften water for plants, I have an aquarium and I'm going to try it Sunday when I water again. I might avoid my prayer plant at first though, it's the only one that has had yellow leaves from my tap water in the past.

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