Hard water is characterised by high levels of bicarbonates and it makes itself known by depositing lime scale in kettles and by reducing the lathering capacity of soap. Hard water will usually have a high pH but this is not always necessarily the case. What will distinguish hard water is that it will take much more acid to reduce the pH than with an equivalent sample of softer water. This is because the bicarbonates have to be neutralised and this uses up quite a lot of acid.
The obvious problem for the grower is the addition of quite large amounts of acid on a regular basis. If the grower is using phosphoric acid this may lead to a build up of phosphate in the nutrient tank over time. High levels of phosphate in the solution can inhibit the uptake of other salts, like zinc, and cause general nutrient imbalance.
The obvious problem for the grower is the addition of quite large amounts of acid on a regular basis. If the grower is using phosphoric acid this may lead to a build up of phosphate in the nutrient tank over time. High levels of phosphate in the solution can inhibit the uptake of other salts, like zinc, and cause general nutrient imbalance.
