no the buffer/clibrateion u just dip it in and turn the screw on the back till it displays the buffer wether it be 4.8 or 7.0 of which it says on the buffr packet or bottle,, u only need to do it every 2 weeks really just to make sure its still reading correctly and the batteries dont die
and for the price u may as well buy canna coco pro, then u dont need to ph, or buy the briks and break them down with ph water,, but canna pro is like 17 qwid for 50 litres so just buy that then at least u dont have to fuk around breaking them down
im finishing of now so il take aloo for my ph pen if i find it u can have it mate, ur skint so saving a tenner will help,, il send u sum batteries and buffer too