PH & EC Testers

[Scottish Research]

Hey Guys,

I'm getting ready to buy one of these: PH/EC combo or stand alone PH and EC testers. Based on your experiences do you have any recommendations? I'm not really interested in TDS if there is no EC function.

I'm really just interested in something that works and will not break; it does not have to be fancy.

If this topic has already been covered I apologize for any inconvenience this post may have caused you.

Thanks for everyones help!

R. Fortune

 

[FreezerBoy]

EC- Bluelab EC Truncheon
pH- $5 test drop kit from the aquarium store. pH pens are toys and a crapshoot at best.

 

[Scottish Research]

Thanks so much FreezerBoy!

I'm a big fan of your work!

The PH test strips was my first thought thanks for that confirmation! + its way cheaper...

That Bluelab is not too pricey either...

R. Fortune

 

[Stond_Face]

Regarding pH Pens...

Regarding pH Pens...

I used to have trouble with my pH pen. I'd always keep drops to double check the pen readings.

About a year ago I got a new probe for the pen and now I keep the probe saturated with storage solution. Not just damp...Saturated. Every few days I pour some new storage solution into the cap. I change out the little sponge when it discolors.

My point is...When I was frugal with the storage solution my pH pen was a PITA!
Now, I spend like $10 or $15/year on storage solution and use it freely. My pen works like a champ and hardly ever needs a calibration.

I use a Hanna pH pen.

P.S., I agree with a Bluelab EC meter. That rocks!

 

[FreezerBoy]

My point is...When I was frugal with the storage solution my pH pen was a PITA!
Now, I spend like $10 or $15/year on storage solution and use it freely. My pen works like a champ and hardly ever needs a calibration.

Excellent point.

 

[dynamitejack]

Hanna makes an all in one meter that does temp/ph/ec/tds but it's close to $200. I really like the Eco testers by Oakton. They are waterproof and reliable, check out the PH1 http://www.lonestarhydroponics.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=ph1 and tds low http://www.monstergardens.com/hydro...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=149&category_id=45

 

[Scottish Research]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your thoughts!

R. Fortune

 

[HUGE]

I have agreen ecotest ph pen. I don't keep it in storage solution and it's been within .2 every time I calibrate it. Been working good for 2 years now.

 

[ajc0k]

Not sure on EC meters, never used one. But if you want a reliable PH meter my Oakton is pretty sweet for $60-70. I bought a Hanna before that and the piece of shit broke within a week.

 

[Fattie]

I would love to hear more people's opinions on this. I am in need of a pH solution and I'm really hoping to find a consistently good pH pen. I don't want to use the strips because they don't show tenths of a point.

 

[HUGE]

Not sure on EC meters, never used one. But if you want a reliable PH meter my Oakton is pretty sweet for $60-70. I bought a Hanna before that and the piece of shit broke within a week.

That's the one I have. It's great.

 

[grow101]

I'm using a Hanna Combo Pen (pH/EC/Temp) since three years with the first pH electrode, always submerged in KCL (the storage solution), like Stond_Face. It is waterproof so I use it to stir the nutrients solution. The Bluelab truncheon is a mighty fine tool, too, in that regard.

@ajc0k: what broke and why did your dealer refused to replace it?

 

[ajc0k]

I'm using a Hanna Combo Pen (pH/EC/Temp) since three years with the first pH electrode, always submerged in KCL (the storage solution), like Stond_Face. It is waterproof so I use it to stir the nutrients solution. The Bluelab truncheon is a mighty fine tool, too, in that regard.

@ajc0k: what broke and why did your dealer refused to replace it?

The readings were getting way off all of a sudden, like a 5.5 solution would read 12..etc. I did try to return it however the little prick told me the receipt machine wasn't working at the time of purchase and he acted like i'd never been there..looking back, wow he got me.

 

[FreezerBoy]

I don't want to use the strips because they don't show tenths of a point.

Phion strips do.

If you think of pens as disposable toys, it may help. Would you rather buy a case of 12 for $10 each and toss them every other month? Or would you rather spend $120 on one you toss every other year?

After blowing over $300 in the Great Fan Debacle of Aught Eight, I did extended research on pens. It's why I wont touch one and stick to test drops. What I found was: they're toys, they break and they're crapshoots at best. Milwaukee sucked the least, followed closely by Oakton and Hanna scraping up the rear.