rain water

Hello. You have some very good answers there. Also consider: mosquitos can't live in oxygenated water. If you put a air bubbler in the reservoir the smell will go away but it might make more algae, keep an eye on it. When you saturate water it can hold air (oxygen) for about 24 hours and then be depleted. Or you can oxygenate your water just before you use it. I use hand held electric bar mixer, with the little propeller on the end. Oxygenates the water on a minute or two. All plants like lots of oxygen in their water. God Luck Chuck.

Hello friend, Rainwater is definitely the best option for waterings plants, it has so many amazing benefits that you just don't get from the tap or a bottle. However taking care of your reservoir is so important. If you can empty and clean it at least once every couple weeks that'll help stay clean and less smells, you can also use a small amount of vegetable oil and chlorine tablets to help keep contaminants and mosquitoes at bay. I know chlorine isn't exactly desirable but if your growing plants that might be used for edibles it can be a good choice to battle those specific contaminants. Technically the water can last anywhere from a week to forever, but it's all in how you care for it, the absolute best thing you can do for longevity is keeping the reservoir in a cold, dry place....the colder it is the less microbial life and negative things develop. Keeping the roof clean or wherever the runoff site is, is very important too. Happy growing. ✌️

Dear grower, smell of water doesn't affect at all taste also because at end of the blooming cycle you do a flush, isn't it? Anyway many people use very untasty nutrients, but the final result (after a flush) is also good. Rainwater doesn't expire, I also use that after many days stored outside or sometimes inside too. It's soft water, it will never kill your plant and it doesn't contains other significant substances. Happy growing and fingers crossed for you too. ciao.