What water quality do I need?

Three factors in your water supply can affect spray performance and system health:

Hardness: High calcium and magnesium levels can cause problems with certain herbicides, particularly pelargonic acid-based products such as Finalsan, Slasher, or Beloukha. Hard water can cause an insoluble, butter-like substance to form that clogs the filters. Ideally, water hardness should be kept below 1 mmol/L (~5.6 dGH). If your local water is harder than this, use a water conditioner or softener. As a last resort, distilled water can be used.

pH: The pH of your water should be compatible with the herbicide you are using. Check the herbicide label for guidance. Note that pH and water hardness are not the same, both should be measured separately.

Iron and metallic particles: The AX-1 has magnets in the liquid system that capture metallic particles. Avoid water sources with high iron content, as particle buildup can affect system performance over time.

When using a new water source or moving to a different location, check hardness and pH before mixing. For more on water quality in the context of herbicide selection, see A guide to herbicides and adjuvants.