Coco DTW alternative?

[Jjlow]

They keep clamping down on our water use here in SOCAL. We have been using RO DTW in coco for years with best success, but as you all know RO DTW is very wasteful of water. Has anyone had comparable success with coco recirc? I’m trying to plan ahead as I hear some stronger water regs are headed our way.
What would be the lowest h2o requirements for comparable yields to DTW ? Soil? I really don’t want to deal with chillers. Blah.. lol
Thx

 

[seriousburner]

You don't need RO for starters unless your water is very hard. An automatic drip system with little to no waste will also save on water and nutes plus you'll get better growth

 

[Jjlow]

Thanks for the response!
Yeah, unfortunately our tap is around 450ppm here in coastal SoCal. Maybe we can try reducing runoff? We are currently doing 2 gal of Tupar coco, 8 plants per 4x4 average. Feeding 5-6 times per 12 hr light cycle.

 

[seriousburner]

I'm using Blumats with 6 plants in 2 gal smart pots with zero DTW, and I go through about a quart a day so far, but I am expecting that to increase when they are in flower.

 

[MickFoster]

What about hempy buckets? It doesn't require multiple feedings - one gallon per plant every 2 days is all I do.

 

[Vegan4life]

I am in same situation, coastal So Cal, just completed first grow in September. Coco dtw, RO water, 4 plants 3 x 3 tent. I was using around 24 gallons of nutes per week during flower. All waste from my RO filter is saved in a barrel and I use it for laundry. So around 100 gallons per month for grow. I have been looking into Living organic soil for next grow, less water and no more synthetic nutes. I have been looking into Clackamas Coots method. If you get the soil right you can just water for entire grow (run off not necessary), you can also water with teas.