ec meters, im thinking of buying one

[brobrobro]

hi guys, im thinking of buying an EC meter and i have a few questions...


are they the same as a ppm meter (if not which one is more useful)?
do they have to be calibrated?
are they easy to use?
can i get a reasonable accurate meter for $50-$100?
what are the good brands?
what are the not so good brands?
any tips for using/storing them?


any help appreciated.

 

[Mudguts]

Its a must have BBB . They'l read both ec and ppm. I use a bluelabs truncheon. Had it for 3 years with no probs and no need too calibrate. Use it too stir my nutes also.

Get one is all I can say they're an invaluable tool.

Cheers

 

[brobrobro]

Its a must have BBB . They'l read both ec and ppm. I use a bluelabs truncheon. Had it for 3 years with no probs and no need too calibrate. Use it too stir my nutes also.

Get one is all I can say they're an invaluable tool.

Cheers

hey man

i was actually just looking at the bluelabs meters, they sound awesome but a little out of my price range.

what do you think about this Eutech meter?
http://www.newagehydro.com/shop/details.php?prodId=294

looks pretty good to me (im noob though lol)

thanks!

 

[Mudguts]

YEah I use an Euteck ph pen and have used the ec pen too. They're good but reckon the bluelabs are worth the xtra dosh. They're only 100$ Au here.

MG

 

[Mudguts]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BLUELAB-TRUN...Seed_Starting_Hydroponics?hash=item2eab9393b8

 

[brobrobro]

YEah I use an Euteck ph pen and have used the ec pen too. They're good but reckon the bluelabs are worth the xtra dosh. They're only 100$ Au here.

MG

oh ok, so go with bluelabs pen then ay.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BLUELAB-TRUN...Seed_Starting_Hydroponics?hash=item2eab9393b8

cheap as! everywhere else is like $130+

will most likely buy this, thanks

 

[ScrubNinja]

I like the eutech, been using mine for 2 years. Don't forget to get a bottle of calibration stuff. Mine is called Conductivity Standard.

 

[brobrobro]

I like the eutech, been using mine for 2 years. Don't forget to get a bottle of calibration stuff. Mine is called Conductivity Standard.

thanks for the heads up!

 

[FreezerBoy]

are they the same as a ppm meter (if not which one is more useful)?:

There's no such thing as a "PPM" meter. Parts Per Million requires a chemical analysis these meters can't provide. "PPM" "TDS" and EC meters all measure EC. The EC meter is the only one that tells you what it read. "PPM" and "TDS" meters use any number of conversion factors to mangle the reading. You can run a garden with them but, do the hobby a favor and stick with EC.

 

[brobrobro]

There's no such thing as a "PPM" meter. Parts Per Million requires a chemical analysis these meters can't provide. "PPM" "TDS" and EC meters all measure EC. The EC meter is the only one that tells you what it read. "PPM" and "TDS" meters use any number of conversion factors to mangle the reading. You can run a garden with them but, do the hobby a favor and stick with EC.

ahh i see, thanks for clearing that up!

 

[Mudguts]

There's no such thing as a "PPM" meter. Parts Per Million requires a chemical analysis these meters can't provide. "PPM" "TDS" and EC meters all measure EC. The EC meter is the only one that tells you what it read. "PPM" and "TDS" meters use any number of conversion factors to mangle the reading. You can run a garden with them but, do the hobby a favor and stick with EC.

Good call

 

[jammie]

i've got a nutradip trimeter. i got it 3-4 yrs ago for about 150. i've seen mixed reviews on the forum but i've never had a problem. clean and check calibration every month- usually spot on after cleaning. store the probe with a capful of ph4 and your good to go out of the box next grow. i only do 1 grow a year and it stores well with the cap in place over the probe

 

[Dirtfinger]

I'll second the Truncheon being worth the extra $$$.

The extra initial $$$ outlay is offset by a couple things. You don't need to calibrate so that means you don't have to buy calibration solution. It uses regular batteries, not those watch batteries. It also has auto on/off so you'll be buying less batteries.

They are pretty bulletproof too, the nicest thing about a Truncheon is it just works - all the time. They measure in all standard scales, but EC is all you really need.

 

[Admiral Canna]

EC is the way to be and a BlueLab Truncheon is the tool to own. HIGHLY recommend it!!!! It is worth the extra dough. The one you were lookin at was 120. I paid 135 for my Trunch. Invaluable tool!

 

[brobrobro]

i've got a nutradip trimeter. i got it 3-4 yrs ago for about 150. i've seen mixed reviews on the forum but i've never had a problem. clean and check calibration every month- usually spot on after cleaning. store the probe with a capful of ph4 and your good to go out of the box next grow. i only do 1 grow a year and it stores well with the cap in place over the probe

I'll second the Truncheon being worth the extra $$$.

The extra initial $$$ outlay is offset by a couple things. You don't need to calibrate so that means you don't have to buy calibration solution. It uses regular batteries, not those watch batteries. It also has auto on/off so you'll be buying less batteries.

They are pretty bulletproof too, the nicest thing about a Truncheon is it just works - all the time. They measure in all standard scales, but EC is all you really need.

EC is the way to be and a BlueLab Truncheon is the tool to own. HIGHLY recommend it!!!! It is worth the extra dough. The one you were lookin at was 120. I paid 135 for my Trunch. Invaluable tool!

awesome! thanks for everyone's input, very helpful.

 

[Kcar]

I got this one. Works fine. $16
http://cgi.ebay.com/HM-Digital-TDS-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414620f777

 

[mrred]

can i use a multimeter or something to measure ec?

or what about cheap ones?

 

[brobrobro]

ok so i bought a meter for 55 bucks, it seems it measures in ppm

apparently its factory calibrated but i bought so buffer anyway....


the buffer is 2.76 ec

my meter read 2510 ppm

using this conversion tool: http://www.4hydroponics.com/convertPPM.htm

i converted that 2510 ppm reading into a 3.58 ec reading


thats wayyy off unless im missing something??


should i take it back? or try to recallibrate it myself (didn't come with any tools though) ??

what should i do?

 

[ScrubNinja]

Well, first, I would always calibrate - especially with a meter that cheap. Second, there are 2 different ppm scales so make sure you're using the right one. Third, make sure that 2.76 is the right stuff (check manual). If it doesn't require exactly 2.76, then take it back.

 

[mg75]

Hanna GroChek !