pH test pen help plz.

ok so i got a pH test pen, the very brief instructions mentioned sumthing about leaving it in the pH 4.01 buffer solution for 12hours im assuming before use(as it did not metion)???. i did not do this step before i used it to test my water must i follow this step?.
the water wich had molasses in it, the pen read 7.3 is this bad?
can someone instruct me alittle bit better? and let me know what i should do with my water? my soil is foxfarm happyfrog and says it has sumthing to balance ph so should i not worry?

Ph pen probably shipped with a dry sensor. The 12 soak in the 4.01 would be to "season" the sensor. You would want to do that at first, then keep some 4.01 or storage solution in the sensor cap to keep it moist. Also they do need to be calibrated from time to time. After 12 hour soak, rinse and use fresh 4.01 solution and follow instructions to get it to read 4.01 and you should be good for a few weeks...then repeat the calibration.

lol heres sum pics if it helps idk

Must follow that step. I have the exact same meter. Follow the directions, keep it calibrated and you'll be fine

um i hate to sound like this,but im a very busy person and have a bad memory and feel like i will slack and forget/not do or do it wrong is there a different way 2 read ph?im using soil btw dono if i mentioned that...and thanks 4 replys

A non calibrated pen gives wrong numbers PERIOD. Just like a faulty gas gage in a car...you either fix it or one day you will be dry on the side of the road.
It is not that hard to do. Let it soak (12 hours) rinse and calibrate...About 10 min. Your good. If you don't use it alot, and keep it moist you may not need to recal for a month or so...but as it is, you have no idea if it is reading right or lying to you. You may be busy but if it wrong it will cost you time and $$.

alright thanks,should i get a soil ph meter also?

and it just came with the 7.01 buffer solution and the 4.01 buffer solution i let it sit in the 4.01 and then rinse and use?

kief13 said:

and it just came with the 7.01 buffer solution and the 4.01 buffer solution i let it sit in the 4.01 and then rinse and use?

Click to expand...

Don't use it all, but be very clean. Put a little 4.01 in a shot glass to soak. Rinse tester and glass well. Put in new 4.01 and calibrate. Rinse all well and put in 7.01. Calibrate. Rinse all and your good. IF your very clean you can use the extra in the packs later but if your serious with this, you will want to buy a bottle of each, a bottle of cleaning solution, and a bottle of storage solution. NEVER try to save and reuse used solution.

i am this is my new favorit hobbie,u should check out my grow ill post a link if u want.
but could u link me to a webpage where i could find those bottle's if u could plz?