Renfro
Well-Known Member
HEr issues are with reds, I dunno what it looks like to her. I do know a color blind crane operator, technically illegal but he got contacts that let him "see" red and green. So he's ok.
Cheap But Reliable pH Meter
- Thread starter Renfro
- Start date
I have this one seems to work for 6 months to a year. but the new one we saw on market with replaceable multi probe is the one that's interesting to see how it holds up:
Pocket Digital PH Meter Tester Aquarium LCD Pen Monitor PH 0.0-14.0 PH with ATC, Control of Quality Water and ph, Swimming Pools, Household Drinking and Aquarium Water: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Pocket Digital PH Meter Tester Aquarium LCD Pen Monitor PH 0.0-14.0 PH with ATC, Control of Quality Water and ph, Swimming Pools, Household Drinking and Aquarium Water: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
P.S
TDS meters are metal probes all cheap and reliable IMO I have RO and distilled to test e z shit no worries 2 year old almost cheapo TDS meter with the backlit LED all the same from china.
Catpotwoman
Well-Known Member
I was worried about ordering one of these cheap ones as a new grower. Thanks for the rec. Ordered it online and glad to save the start up cost.
As a new grower you should be worried about paying too much for something you don't need too
Catpotwoman
Well-Known Member
I ordered pH adjuster maybe half an hour before I read that it wouldn't hurt the plant to do it for free with vinegar and baking soda. The worry is real.As a new grower you should be worried about paying too much for something you don't need too
HashBucket
Well-Known Member
Don't believe everything you read.
If you walk into your room and it smells like you're brewing beer spend $10 on ph up or ph down and do it right.
TintEastwood
Well-Known Member
TDS pens...
I suspected my cheap pen was off. (Reading 554)
Bought 2 new ones.
The HM on the left is correct. (And able to be calibrated)
I suspected my cheap pen was off. (Reading 554)
Bought 2 new ones.
The HM on the left is correct. (And able to be calibrated)
I just have to add that I had a bluelab truncheon for I'd say about a decade, before it finally stopped working. It was accurate and never needed calibration (there is no calibration).
For a new gardener, I'd suggest pH test drops - whether you buy a meter as well or not.
For a new gardener, I'd suggest pH test drops - whether you buy a meter as well or not.
HashBucket
Well-Known Member
Right, I like to have a way to check against another source.
So, the choices are three:
- A good Ph pen, like BlueLab costs about $75
- A cheap Ph pen, costs about $15.
- A chemical test strip, or drops costs about $7.
I like to have at least two of the above in the garden. What happens the first time you're standing at the bucket and you check ph and it says 8. So you add down, and it says 8. So you add more down and it says 7.9 and you start thinking "WTH?" -- You need a second one to test the first one. And you may need a second one because you need to feed today and there you are.
So, what I have in my room is a good one, BlueLab and if I wonder how accurate it is I check it against another method (I actually have all three methods ...)
I had my BlueLab for 7 years before it quit working. But, I used it every day (often times more than once a day). I told a BlueLab rep that once and she said, "That's probably why it lasted so long."
HashBucket
Well-Known Member
Well, I don't either ... but I have used them as a 'spare tire'.I don't even consider pH drops kit an 'option' at this point. Haha.
Or a way to check ...
Analog works accurately EVERY TIME.
And if it doesn't - it is for sure 'human error'.
I suspected my cheapo was off and bought calibration fluid...... Then I bought a used HM COM-80 off ebay for $7.00!
Then I bought another used COM-80.... just because it was $5.00.
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