Need fan controller and PH water meter

Cowboy Kahlil

Cowboy Kahlil

Well-Known Member
I bought an Active Air 6" inline fan (made by hydrofarm). They have their own speed adjuster I can get for under $30. But it's just a dial-by-hand.

Is it better to get one that adjusts automatically with a thermostat? If so, any suggestions which controllers work well?


I also need to buy a PH water tester. I've read here before not to get a cheap (under $15) one. But prices are all over the place on more expensive ones. Can you recommend a good one? And let me know if there's any other needs that go with it (batteries, etc)

I'm doing a soil grow.
 
rob333

rob333

Well-Known Member
Cowboy Kahlil said:
I bought an Active Air 6" inline fan (made by hydrofarm). They have their own speed adjuster I can get for under $30. But it's just a dial-by-hand.

Is it better to get one that adjusts automatically with a thermostat? If so, any suggestions which controllers work well?


I also need to buy a PH water tester. I've read here before not to get a cheap (under $15) one. But prices are all over the place on more expensive ones. Can you recommend a good one? And let me know if there's any other needs that go with it (batteries, etc)

I'm doing a soil grow.
Click to expand...
http://www.growroom.com.au/shop/environmetal-control/environmental-control/
 
rob333

rob333

Well-Known Member
Cowboy Kahlil said:
I bought an Active Air 6" inline fan (made by hydrofarm). They have their own speed adjuster I can get for under $30. But it's just a dial-by-hand.

Is it better to get one that adjusts automatically with a thermostat? If so, any suggestions which controllers work well?


I also need to buy a PH water tester. I've read here before not to get a cheap (under $15) one. But prices are all over the place on more expensive ones. Can you recommend a good one? And let me know if there's any other needs that go with it (batteries, etc)

I'm doing a soil grow.
Click to expand...
http://www.growroom.com.au/shop/systems-parts/metres-test-equipment/ph-pen-eutech-waterproof/
 
WeedFreak78

WeedFreak78

Well-Known Member
I like the Titan controllers for fans, I have the mercury 4. I tried one of the hydrofarm style dimmer switches, it is just a rebranded generic rheostat, I bought mine at harbor freight for like $10, it was labeled as a router control..it works fine for that..not for my exhaust fan,it made it hum at 50%.

I'd look into fish tank PH kits if you're doing a soil grow, or one of the ones specifically for soil from a garden center..you really don't have to be checking PH much in soil, assuming you are using a quality soil mix.
 
Cowboy Kahlil

Cowboy Kahlil

Well-Known Member
Actually, advice from growers here suggest that soil PH testers aren't very accurate. But I'd already bought one. So now I have both: one to test the water/nutes before adding, one to test the soil itself.
 
C

coloradocoolness

Member
WeedFreak78 said:
I like the Titan controllers for fans, I have the mercury 4. I tried one of the hydrofarm style dimmer switches, it is just a rebranded generic rheostat, I bought mine at harbor freight for like $10, it was labeled as a router control..it works fine for that..not for my exhaust fan,it made it hum at 50%.

I'd look into fish tank PH kits if you're doing a soil grow, or one of the ones specifically for soil from a garden center..you really don't have to be checking PH much in soil, assuming you are using a quality soil mix.
Click to expand...
The idea of not phing your water in soil is blasphomy. Always ph always.
 
A

az2000

Well-Known Member
spek9 said:
You and I have run into each other a bit on this.

I whole-heartedly say that I agree
Click to expand...
I think I always said I'd be cautious trying "no ph" in soil. Some people's nutrients are more acidic. Some people overfeed. The higher ppms could pull the soil ph over time, especially if the high-ppm nutrient solution is especially low ph.

I already went through the high-ppm drama and worked out my nutrient strength so I don't get salt buildup. I also stopped using calmag. I mix tap and RO water to get a starting ppm of 120-180ppm. This caused my nutrient solution ph to be more like 6.8 instead of 5.8.

My post above could have said "no ph" is possible. Everyone should try it, but there are some things to consider (and warrant caution).

I wouldn't say it will work for everyone (without possible improvement of other less-than-ideal practices in soil). Nor would I say it's completely wrong (as colorado did above.).

To put it more simply,

1. I think phing nutrient solution for soil isn't critical. Most people can just get it in the 6.0-7.0 range and do fine.
2. I think soil growers over-complicate things with boutique "lineups." They overfeed or treat their soil as hydro. If those things were improved, I agree phing nutrient solution isn't necessary. If they tried not ph'ing it would probably bring to light some of the self-inflicted complications they could eliminate. I.e., it's a vicious cycle. Too much stuff, leading to too much ph-up, which itself is a nutrient, adding more stuff... Those people should be cautious trying "no ph." They should be prepared to simplify what they're doing, or continue the house of cards (too much stuff, adding more stuff via ph-up.).

Like most things in growing, I don't believe there's an absolute answer that fits everyone. I'm happy I've gotten down to the basics and don't have to ph. Life's easier, I spend less money, I feel like this is how growing should be. Not dozens of bottles of stuff with cartoon labels.
 
mid-western outdoor

mid-western outdoor

Member
Ok so if my soil ph is sitting really low what is the best way to bring it up for some reason my soil meter has been reading like a 5 to 5.5 and I know that's low but can't seem to raise it at all some advice would be super beneficial
 
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