Tool Time Baby!!!!!

Come on Guys and Gals lets talk tools!

Im curious what you long timers use. Its something I dont see very often in any of the forums and quite frankly Im really curious.

Im talking about PPM meters, EC meters and other goodies like that.

What are the good ones, what are the bad ones...........and what are the tools you buy because they work well enough but still cheap enough if they break you can toss them out without crying.

Lets not limit this discussion to the few examples Ive listed..........get down and dirty with me!

Oh and on a side note.............can anyone tell me which fan (inline) in the 6" range is the quietest and best balanced? Im debating on vortek but Im curious as to what their supposed 49 dbl sounds like.

Dont let me down kids!

You cant be cheap!! Invest to reap the benefits.. . That goes for everything from nuits to bulbs Buy a squirel fan they are the SHIT.

dude seriously............I make a post that isnt redundant and the only two answers I get are about not being cheap?

How the hell does that help me?

You know I can go buy some walmart specials and they may be the same thing that joe schmukatelli is selling for the price of gold.

My intention here was to get people talking about what toold they use and why.

Understandable this question is actually 100% dependent on your set up space, watt, ability to ventilate actual location, natural outdoor environment (ie in flordia no need for heaters in Maine no need for substantial cooling). Me: flower space 10x 10, build around what you have. watt 2 1000 hps digital (they save money) brand does not matter as long as they are air cooled, on a light rail ( why because movement stimulates plants and reaches every area) , ability to ventilate… huge and utilized two 449 cfm fans out of room through homemade active carbon filter , two inline fans venting hoods (buy at hardware store), two intakes to room. All fans other than light fans on timer (digital buy at walmart) to coordinate with CO2 also timer( home made set up), utilize my central air with multiple room settings and set up in grow area room set a 72 degrees through intakes. Median Bcuzz rockwool why bcuzz I like it with red clay pellets( forget actual name) under in 4 in netted pots . In simple flood and drain tables. Res 55 gallon drum why because I had it , pumps two( one to each 5x5 table) mag drive 500 gph pumps why built in filter, submersible, and once again electric efficient on timers. Food General Hydroponics three part simple easy and effective, PPM Tri meter continuously measures temp ppm and ph wonderful tool. Grow style sea of infinite green directly from clone to flower 100 baby girls per 5x5 tight neat and efficient. Genes Bubblegum tray one (why 45 day flower ), Sour Diesel tray two( why because it taste oh so nice) Also I don’t use mylar flat white paint is more reflective. I line my flood trays with pond liner it is the thickest plastic/ rubber I could find (unfortunately very expensive) Any thing else? this is pretty descriptive with a few years in the making and testing

Every question you have can be answered by reading the journals that are posted. Your intention was to have us make sure you don't waste your money. We should we spend our time saving your money, if you aren't willing to do any research, like Abe, kinda on your own. I use my table saw to cut pvc, set it and make multiple cuts. VV

VictorVIcious said:

Every question you have can be answered by reading the journals that are posted. Your intention was to have us make sure you don't waste your money. We should we spend our time saving your money, if you aren't willing to do any research, like Abe, kinda on your own. I use my table saw to cut pvc, set it and make multiple cuts. VV

Click to expand...

I find it almost comical that youd say something like that...........surely you jest?

I thought the purpose of a forum such as this is for the reason of educating all the participants with the various trials and tribulations on this particular endevour???

Then you of all people slinging comments towards people wanting to save money by not buying something three times when you yourself are doing everything in your power to save a nickle by using flourescent lighting instead of HID.

The belittlement you have in your words is a bit shocking.........

By the way, Ive spent more than my fair share in equipment. But because this nor most any forum Ive visited has a section that has honest to goodness comparos for equipment Ive just spent my money as I could see fit.

You know its not a bad thing for us to band together and maybe just maybe help one another out. The reason crap tools (e.g. PPM METERS PH TESTERS and LOUD FANS) stay in the market is because we dont educate one another about them. The lousy stuff stays around because they can prey on unsuspecting purchasers.

Oh and another thing VV I fully plan to do an exact comparo of flourescent versus HID in IDENTICLE SITUATIONS. It will be a couple months but I have the money and the intelligence to do such a comparo. Why would I waste good money on doing something like that? Simply put, to help and better everyone else on the forum out. You can hold me to that..........this is happening. I just need finish up my designs.

hanna is supposed to be good for meters


and sunleaves windtunnel and elicent are supposed to be quiet. vortex are quiet to an extent.... but all fans make some noise....its all about how you hang it, mount it and insulate it.... also...insulated ducting will silences things a bit as well

I think this thread is a great idea, myself. I don't have any personal info, but the growFAQ section dealing with pH/TDS meters and testing contains this nugget:

What are the pros and cons of buying a combo meter?
Contributed by 10k:

The combination type meters are real handy for the convenience of being able to take both readings simultaneously, or with a single touch of a button to switch between modes. The problem IMHO with combination meters is pH sensors like to be stored in a fertilizer solution, but TDS probes like to be stored in distilled water. Storing the pH probe in plain or distilled water will damage the ph membrane, so the combination probe needs to be stored in a fertilizer solution so as not to damage the pH portion, so the TDS probe ends up being "dirty" from salt buildup. A friend has already lost one expensive probe on his Hanna from this same problem, and will only purchase "single function" pH or TDS meters in the future.
Added on: Friday, March 2, 2007 Viewed: 178 times.



There's also mention of several brands of meters (and a table showing conversion factors between EC and PPM for various brands), but no reviews or anything like that. The growFAQ mostly seems to stay away from specific 'commercial' endorsements.

And in the RIU spirit of DIY, here's directions for your own PPM meter.




EC/TDS/PPM Meter

this is exactly what Im talking about.

While I dont want to make my own meter I do like information. Actually I found several really over the top articles dealing with the results of meters but nothing that really says quality is so and so.

What I have learned so far is to get individual pens. Dont spend the money on dual styles as one of the elements goes bad.

I think based on what Ive read Ill probably go with an OAKTON or a HANNA for the meters.

We really need to get some others interested in this to write what we think about the various tools we use.

Topics like METERS, PRUNING OR OTHER GARDENING HARDWARE, FANS, BULBS (brands vs. results) and all kinds of other things.

Unfortunately what I suspect is that there is a lot of "stoners" involved in most of this and very few true scientists. Im more in this for the science than anything. I find this subject to be completely fascinating. It could be that its so controversial and very much taboo but I like it none the less.

Here's a deal I came across that you might be interested in then;

Texas Hydroponics :: Hydroponics :: Meters & Testing :: Nutrient Meters :: Combo PH/TDS/EC Meters :: Oakton Ph & TDS Combo Package

two separate meters and calibration solutions.

49db is whiny and annoying, you want ambient quiet keep it under 38db

thanks for the heads up but the guy I got my stuff from is willing to part with the meters for 80 a piece saving me 20 bucks and no shipping. (oakton brand)

49 db is rated as a refridgerator running........

Human conversation is between 55 and 60 db.

Im pretty sure that I you can muffle the fans down all day if need be.

I hate to do this to this thread but, I use the outdoor thermometer and the humidistat from my humidor. My fans are ones from old computer power supplies. They are SUPER quiet. Its ghetto but it works

everything is relevant when it comes to educating one another.

I suspect that the fans we are talking about move several times the air that a computer fan does though.

yes I would think so...

Personally I love being able to make my own rather than pay for overpriced store bought stuff but not 'cause I save a few bucks but to me it's part of the fun of growing and also I usually end up with a better product than I could buy "purpose built tpo ideally suit my needs" .

hybrid said:

this is exactly what Im talking about.

While I dont want to make my own meter I do like information. Actually I found several really over the top articles dealing with the results of meters but nothing that really says quality is so and so.

What I have learned so far is to get individual pens. Dont spend the money on dual styles as one of the elements goes bad.

I think based on what Ive read Ill probably go with an OAKTON or a HANNA for the meters.

We really need to get some others interested in this to write what we think about the various tools we use.

Topics like METERS, PRUNING OR OTHER GARDENING HARDWARE, FANS, BULBS (brands vs. results) and all kinds of other things.

Unfortunately what I suspect is that there is a lot of "stoners" involved in most of this and very few true scientists. Im more in this for the science than anything. I find this subject to be completely fascinating. It could be that its so controversial and very much taboo but I like it none the less.

Click to expand...

What a stoner can't be a scientist? Never met one but I'm sure there out there.

Isthisyourspecialbush said:

What a stoner can't be a scientist? Never met one but I'm sure there out there.

Click to expand...

Im gona be a scientist ^^

I'm gonna be a custodian, a jantor if you wana be a dick about it lol

abbazaba you my only friend

hybrid said:

Come on Guys and Gals lets talk tools!

Im curious what you long timers use. Its something I dont see very often in any of the forums and quite frankly Im really curious.

Im talking about PPM meters, EC meters and other goodies like that.

Click to expand...

Hanna Combo Meter (PH/TDS).... Good... but instruction manual SUCKS! Took a while to decipher and learn how to calibrate properly.

400 Watt MH/HPS conversion light from HTG supply (not the best ... but good enough for a noob 3 plant grower like me)

2 - 6" inline duct fans (1 for intake, 1 for extract)

12" miter saw (dewalt) to cut various pieces of PVC & Wood for grow room odds & ends.

Stanley tape measure and generic speed square for quick measuring and marking cutting lines

Mikita reciprocating saw - for various other cuts & cutting up Coco blocks

Dewalt power drill/driver with 6" hole saw attachment for perfect holes in reservoir buckets

Folgers coffee container (empty) - bottom drilled with TEN 1/4" holes for rinsing/draining Coco and Hyroton pebbles

Various funnels, measuring spoons & eye droppers for applying nutes and such

3 different sizes stand alone fans for stem strengthening (only using 2 right now)

1 digital air temp / humidity thermometer

1 manual thermometer inside grow tent for double checking temps.

1 portable 10,000 btu room a/c to control temps.

Hmmmmm... I guess that's all I have for now.... may think of more later.

**** Not an experienced grower.... total noob!

**** All the power tools were already in my garage... not purchased for garden