Level Up to A+++ Indoor Flower with Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment
Did you know that water quality can significantly impact your indoor flower’s quality and yield? Using water with low Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), no chloramine, no bacteria, and no heavy metals is essential for achieving top-tier flower quality. If you’re using municipal water, groundwater, or well water—especially in arid regions—considering Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) is crucial for reaching A+++ flower quality.
What is Reverse Osmosis (R.O.)?
Reverse Osmosis is a water treatment process that uses high pressure to reverse the natural flow of osmosis. Normally, water moves through a semipermeable membrane from a low solute concentration to a high solute concentration until both sides are balanced. In R.O., pressure forces water to move from the contaminated side to the clean side, filtering out impurities. This process does require a continuous flow of water, which means some water is always wasted.
Check out the diagrams below to learn more about how Reverse Osmosis works and how it can enhance your indoor flower quality.
Innovative RO Technologies to Reduce Water Use in Cultivation
Let’s address the “wasted water” issue in Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems first. Traditionally, RO would waste 3 to 5 gallons of water for every gallon of pure water produced, resulting in a lot of unusable brine water in cannabis cultivation.
To tackle this, modern RO systems like those developed by HyperLogic can reclaim water from nutrient runoff, final flush water, and HVAC condensate. The HyperLogic Runoff Filtration System can reduce total water use by 50-80%, recycling treated water back into the growing environment.
HyperLogic also offers the Automated Reclaimed Condensate System (ARCS), which treats HVAC condensate to produce pH-balanced, ultra-low PPM water, free of contaminants, heavy metals, and bacteria. This innovation supports the goal of zero waste in cultivation, a priority for growers and regulators alike.
While achieving zero waste water might not be possible for all, the ARCS filter series provides a scalable solution, from small setups to large industrial operations, setting a new standard for water conservation in professional cultivation. Major brands like Canopy Growth, Mayflower Medicinals, and Kings Garden use HyperLogic ARCS technology to recycle water and reduce their water footprint.
The days of “drain to waste” in RO systems are over, thanks to these advanced water-saving technologies.
What is Chloramine and Why is it in Tap Water?
One major benefit of using RO (Reverse Osmosis) water is the elimination of chloramine. In the U.S., municipal water is treated with chlorine and ammonia to create chloramine, which effectively kills bacteria and is more stable and long-lasting than chlorine alone. This stability prevents widespread illness, even if water remains in the main line for a week before use. However, chloramine also kills beneficial bacteria, which are essential for advanced cannabis cultivation.
Modern cultivators add beneficial microbes to their cannabis plants to improve growth. These microbes thicken stalks, enhance nutrient uptake, combat harmful bacteria, and strengthen the plant’s natural defenses. Removing chloramine with RO water allows these microbes to thrive, promoting healthier plants and higher yields.
Additionally, RO water provides a “clean slate” for cultivation, with zero Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). This allows growers to precisely control the levels of calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals, as well as customize their nutrient mix to optimize plant health and flower quality. Getting rid of chloramine is key to maximizing your cannabis cultivation success!
How Do I Determine the Right Gallons Per Day for My System?
Sizing your system correctly is simple with the help of an irrigation expert. Greenlight Distribution has a team of irrigation specialists ready to assist you in designing your RO and fertigation plan, ensuring you choose the right system and configuration. We make sure your plants get the perfect amount of water and nutrients to thrive and produce top-quality flowers.
Interested in Reverse Osmosis? Contact us at sales@growwithgreenlight.com or (800) 710-3324 to get started!
About Greenlight Distribution
Greenlight Distribution provides best in class growing equipment at low prices for commercial cannabis cultivation. As a total growth partner, Greenlight sells more than 6,000 growing products, provides personalized consultation and design services, and delivers innovative financing solutions. As a direct lender to the industry, Greenlight provides debt capital to finance large purchases, manage cash flow, expand operations, and grow your cultivation business.