Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 12/13/2011

Question
Can you tell me what type of R.O. system you use.
( or what you recommend)

Because I have A HUGE collection of carnivorous plants and can't afford to buy distilled water all the time.

Also do keep your unit outside in the summer and winter?
I would like to know if I could keep the unit out side, But I don't think i can because it can get below 10 zero.

I live in Tinley Park IL

Thanks again, Jake

Answer
Hi Jake,

We use a GE Merlin R.O. System here at the nursery.  They can do 700 gallons a day.  I retrofitted ours to work off of garden hose connections, and we have two 300 gallon tanks that we fill with it, along with a shallow well pump that delivers water to the nursery.  The Merlin sits in a small shed that we heat in the winter.  Our volume #1 DVD we show this set-up.

Recently, there's been a change in ownership/marketing of the Merlin since it didn't really pan out for home use the way GE had intended even though it was perfect for a use like ours.  Hydrologic manufactures them now.  Here's some info.  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=hydrologic+merlin+reverse+osmosis+syste

This is probably overkill for what you need.  Figure out first, how many gallons a day you're using to water your plants.  Then do an internet search for reverse osmosis.  Many sites will have categories for how many gpd (gallons per day) you want.  Then see what you can afford, and what will work for you.  You might even do a search for counter-top units.  The reason I'm not showing you any specific unit (other than the one we use) is that there are hundreds of units out there, and you have to decide what will work best for you.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com