Digital PH Meter vs. Liquid PH Drops

[antwan304]

I'm basically stuck between two choices. Either:

1.) Buy a PH kit that uses liquid drops to change and check the PH such as this: Link - PH Liquid Drops Kit

or

2.) Buy a digital PH meter and use something like vinegar to lower the PH if needed. Link - PH Meter

Both are about the same price, but I wanna see what you guys think would work better/easier/more accurate.

 

[HowzerMD]

The liquid test kits are ok if you're only interested in getting a general idea of where your PH is at, the digital readers are to the point. If you're running hydro it's a necessity to have a digital PH tester.

EDIT : I'll say this about most purchases involved with a grow room, but if it's as cheap as a liquid test kit you should move up to the next one. You get what you pay for, especially in sensitive testing doo-dads you might have to rely on. You don't want a mis-read.

 

[Micromaster]

digital will be more accurate IF kept calibrated correctly.

 

[Total Head]

if the dig meter is the same price as the drops then you might want skip it. however it is unusual to see such a cheap meter come with calibration supplies. do a search for reviews of that particular meter before you buy it because it sounds a little too good to be true.

 

[brandon.]

I wish I had bought the digital meter. It's hard to get a good read on your pH with the drops.

In your position I would get the digital meter. Then make your own pH up/down with lye and battery acid. They both can be had for super cheap.

 

[Micromaster]

I wouldnt buy that digital meter looks cheap. Get a nice Hanna
I would recommend this one
http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?id=002003&ProdCode=HI 9810

 

[antwan304]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the input. I think I'm gonna go with the hanna digital meter and just make my own pH down..i'll figure it out.

 

[Micromaster]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the input. I think I'm gonna go with the hanna digital meter and just make my own pH down..i'll figure it out.

Sometimes the meters come with calibrating liquid, but sometimes not so make sure to check. As for a ph down use lemon juice

 

[HowzerMD]

I wish I had bought the digital meter. It's hard to get a good read on your pH with the drops.

In your position I would get the digital meter. Then make your own pH up/down with lye and battery acid. They both can be had for super cheap.

Or you could forget about caustic chemicals and use cider vinegar for up and baking soda for down. Don't handle lye and don't handle battery acid if you don't have experience with them. Very dangerous substances.

 

[Micromaster]

Or you could forget about caustic chemicals and use cider vinegar for up and baking soda for down. Don't handle lye and don't handle battery acid if you don't have experience with them. Very dangerous substances.

..baking soda is used for up and vinegar is used for down. But lemon juice is a better down and dolomite lime is better for ph up/buffer

 

[GodSlave]

There is NO comparison! I used drops for a while and switched to a meter, I've never looked back and wish I had gone with the meter in the first place.
Make sure the meter you buy has ATC (automatic temperature compensation), the PH reading (not the PH, but the reading) will vary depending on the temp of the water, so it's important to get ATC in my opinion.
This is the one I got, and I can't speak highly enough of the meter or the seller, whom I have done lots of business with...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Oakton-Ecotestr-pH2-Waterproof-Meter-pH-2-Tester-Hydro_W0QQitemZ120664497747QQcategoryZ43555QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m506QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DNGRI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D130459140556%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6114342052148278852

You will need a calibration solution, I use the 7.01. And as you know, some kind of up and down. I use the pre made solutions from General Hydroponics, I just find it easiest.
OH YEAH, almost forgot... another great feature of the above meter is push button calibration. As opposed to the kind with a set screw you manually adjust. I have never used the screw kind, but I can only imagine push button is soooo much easier.
GS

 

[Rooks-Drift]

I use drops, before I add my molasses! ph meter too iffy.