Using water from dehumidifier in fish tanks

Here is a link to a list of quite a few discussions where Rainwater was mentioned. The search feature in the upper right corner of all screens is useful in finding previous discussions.

 http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/main/search/search?q=rainwater

Hope this helps.
 
Aquamaple said:

    Is there already a discussion going on about your rainwater collection? I'm curious to hear how you are doing it. I was thinking about collecting rainwater from the roof of the greenhouse. I would even build a "food grade" stand-alone dedicated collection device, if it would work well. I have a serious water problem.

No, I haven't done any testing on my rainwater.

I think some people would argue that you can safely collect rainwater from a polycarbonate greenhouse, but it never hurts to filter it. Since TDS stands for total dissolved solids, it would really be important what those dissolved solids are, not just that there are solids in the water. With tar based shingles, you can pick up all sorts of unwanted crap that doesn't belong in your system.

Aquamaple said:

Alex, I am postulating a solution to my well problem pre-greenhouse. I had assumed the water would come off the large south leaning twin wall poly carb roof. I would also be willing to build something stand-alone if I needed. Alex, have you measured TDS in water off the shingle roof before and after your filtering? Even if you only ended up with 5ppm TDS, WHAT makes up that 5ppm???? Have you sent any in for testing?

Mark

Excellent info. Many thanks. 

J

Hydro Clif said:

I work for a company that makes dehumidifiers.  Over the years we have had this question come up many times.  Some folks want to use the water to make drinking water, others want to use the water for gardens, and others for fish tanks.  Recently I gathered water from 3 dehumidifiers and sent it to a labratory for extensive testing.  The oldest unit was over 10 years old and had all original parts, the newest unit was brand new.  Long story short, the water that we collected passed a well water test and was more than acceptable to be consumed by humans.  The water was superior to tap water.  In regard to heavy metals, most dehumidifiers use copper pipes, just like the water pipes that many homes utilize.  These pipes are brazed together, not soldered, just like the water pipes in many homes.  I can't talk for other brands specifically, but I can say that it is most likely that all dehumidifier create safe potable water. 

 

Test results

Nitrate 0-.19 ppm

Aluminum 0-11.8 ppb* (*parts per billiion)

Copper 0-74.9 ppb*

Zinc 0-0 ppb*

 

All three units were under the limit for acceptable drinking levels of Bromate, Chlorite, Chloramine, Chlorine and

Chlorine Dioxide.

The published article will have more details and should come out in the March, April or May edition of Maximum Yield magazine.