GreenDream
Member
How cold can you let your water get before causing problems, and how bad are the problems when you water with 35*f water?
So, long story short, my reservoirs are outside. I live in an area where it rarely gets below 40*f and above 80*f. But recently we have had a really intense cold snap. I don't have any reservoir heaters that work right now, and I was forced to water with some ice cold water. Normally I water every 3 days. I am now on day 5 that they are still wet, and I'm starting to get worried. I knew when I was watering it in that it's probably near freezing water, but against my better judgement I did it anyway.
So how much damage did I cause? I know I locked out phos until the container warms up, but did I kill all my microbes and/or mycorrhizae?
I wish I could move my reservoirs inside, but I have all my R/O systems permanently installed outside, along with multiple 50gal pickle barrels buried and plumbed together for storage. Plus there's no room indoors atm. ugh... I'm not used to cold like this. I usually always have 55*f water. It's been like that for years. However this cold snap is so bad that it's affected the ground temp and thus my stock water has started dropping into the 30's. I have never seen the ground freeze here until now. We will get the occasional frost but the ground freezing like this is rare. I really hope I didn't screw myself by giving my ladies near freezing h2o.
So, long story short, my reservoirs are outside. I live in an area where it rarely gets below 40*f and above 80*f. But recently we have had a really intense cold snap. I don't have any reservoir heaters that work right now, and I was forced to water with some ice cold water. Normally I water every 3 days. I am now on day 5 that they are still wet, and I'm starting to get worried. I knew when I was watering it in that it's probably near freezing water, but against my better judgement I did it anyway.
So how much damage did I cause? I know I locked out phos until the container warms up, but did I kill all my microbes and/or mycorrhizae?
I wish I could move my reservoirs inside, but I have all my R/O systems permanently installed outside, along with multiple 50gal pickle barrels buried and plumbed together for storage. Plus there's no room indoors atm. ugh... I'm not used to cold like this. I usually always have 55*f water. It's been like that for years. However this cold snap is so bad that it's affected the ground temp and thus my stock water has started dropping into the 30's. I have never seen the ground freeze here until now. We will get the occasional frost but the ground freezing like this is rare. I really hope I didn't screw myself by giving my ladies near freezing h2o.
