Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 01:13:16 EDT From: CMcdon0923@aol.com To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2381$foo@default> Subject: Reverse Osmosis Information
Well, I'm almost through my first summer of growing my plants (Sarrs mostly)
in my new greenhouse. It has been a true learning experience! My two
greatest challenges: North Texas' summer heat, and watering my plants.
With just building the structure, I haven't had power put in yet, so I
haven't been able to install any type of air conditioning/cooling system.
With outdoor temps routinely exceeding 100F, just keeping the interior under
110F has been a challenge. It's amazing how fast a gallon of water
evaporates at those temperatures! Other than some premature browning of a
few lids, I think we're mostly OK. I have managed to at least break even on
this issue, by keeping fans going during the day, powered off an extension
cord running from my patio.
The bigger issue, and certainly the most time consuming one, has been keeping
the plants watered sufficiently. Up through the end of June, I was able to
collect enough rain water to keep everything going. However, rain is an
almost unheard of occurrence during July and August in this part of Texas.
My only solution has been to basically empty the shelves of bottled distilled
water, several times a week, at a local grocery store. Besides the time
involved with running there at least three times a week, at 55-cents a gallon
it has begun to get a little expensive. And with the greenhouse currently
only half full of plants, next year will be even worse once I fill it with
more plants.
So naturally, I presume to install an RO unit. I see various units for sale
at places like Home Depot, and Lowe's, but I am curious if they are
acceptable or heavy-duty enough for greenhouse use. I estimate that I will
need approximately 20-25 gallons per day next year. What types of RO units
do some of you out there have installed? I've read a little about RO in
general, and have browsed few suppliers' products that I found on the
internet, and like I said there are the units I have seen offered at HD, etc.
Please feel free to reply to me off-list if you prefer, or if you think it
may benefit others, post it here. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Craig McDonald
Texas, USA
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