DrDee
Member
I'm with you on that approach Bobby. I bought the Hanna Gro-check continuous monitor...and while I haven't used it for too long, it looks like it will simplify things.
JD
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What PH meter would you recommend?
- Thread starter tentgrower
- Start date
I'm with you on that approach Bobby. I bought the Hanna Gro-check continuous monitor...and while I haven't used it for too long, it looks like it will simplify things.
JD
brickweeder
Well-known member
Wow, I just had another "Homer" moment...thanks man.
Dr Watt
Who What
5.8
5.8
Short of continous monitoring (with digital record) I'll stick to the drops - 800 tests really is just 200 for me (cos I do it 4x). So I made the drop and sample size smaller - because pH test fluid is also not cheap @ $18oz($13usd) a bottle.
Finally, the pH colour code on the Flairform bottle varies and some are too dark, like when you use too many drops, ----- at the correct levels a pH of 6 is light yellow (NO orange) and pH6.1 has a tiny green tint
5.8
Short of continous monitoring (with digital record) I'll stick to the drops - 800 tests really is just 200 for me (cos I do it 4x). So I made the drop and sample size smaller - because pH test fluid is also not cheap @ $18oz($13usd) a bottle.
Finally, the pH colour code on the Flairform bottle varies and some are too dark, like when you use too many drops, ----- at the correct levels a pH of 6 is light yellow (NO orange) and pH6.1 has a tiny green tint
AnselAdams
New member
I am down with the Bluelab Connect monitor. It is a great product and makes things very easy to monitor as i am new to hydro and indoor growing. The price is certainly worth the peace of mind. If you use the "connect" version/line you can monitor via your phone app.
AnselAdams
New member
What PH meter would you recommend?'
What PH meter would you recommend?'
The the Bluelab Connect Monitor on Amazon includes a thermometer, PH and EC/PPM; however you do need to obtain the "connect" usb portion as an additional purchase. I would suggest buying it as a stand-alone item as opposed to as part of a "kit". Stand-alone is a hundred bucks. Check out the prices of the connect line in Bluelab product "kit" packages and you will see what i mean.
Good Luck.
What PH meter would you recommend?'
The the Bluelab Connect Monitor on Amazon includes a thermometer, PH and EC/PPM; however you do need to obtain the "connect" usb portion as an additional purchase. I would suggest buying it as a stand-alone item as opposed to as part of a "kit". Stand-alone is a hundred bucks. Check out the prices of the connect line in Bluelab product "kit" packages and you will see what i mean.
Good Luck.
Short of continous monitoring (with digital record) I'll stick to the drops - 800 tests really is just 200 for me (cos I do it 4x). So I made the drop and sample size smaller - because pH test fluid is also not cheap @ $18oz($13usd) a bottle.
Finally, the pH colour code on the Flairform bottle varies and some are too dark, like when you use too many drops, ----- at the correct levels a pH of 6 is light yellow (NO orange) and pH6.1 has a tiny green tint
I started with drop kits before hydro shops appeared in my city. I still have one for emergency use. The indicator solution has changed colour in it's bottle, but it still works as it should. I also make smaller samples than it suggests, and had bad cards. Though you don't need the reference cards after a while. Like you say, you know exactly what colour you want, and feel your as accurate as a 0.1 resolution meter. Anyone who likes tight control of their finances, has to like them.
I wouldn't part with my floating meters though. It's not as good as one you don't even need to pick up and switch on, but that's not a particularly consuming experience. The manufacturers are presented with the same choice of parts for either device, so I can't see any difference in life expectancy is likely. Oddly enough, I have a ph/cf twin screen constant submersion meter, but have never used it as I know my method works. I have had separate cf and ph monitors I doctored to run dosing pumps, but sold them on as my methods changed. The twin thing was about $30 delivered and I could use a camera to record it, or simply a skype account with auto answer to take a look remotely. Old phones are so cheap. It's a bit messy, but might prove that looking at your plants is more use than your tank.
The middle ground of handheld meters, isn't a bad place to be. Not for most of us. Test kits are common in industry though, with scale being unimportant. They always work. Unlike some fancier kit, where breakdowns are to be expected. It's all good.
Bobby Boucher
Active member
I run dm zone and I have never found any gunk or slime or algae of any kind on my probes. These last couple runs, I haven't even bothered giving them a scrub. I just slosh my water over the probes every time I top up and calibrate whenever the machine asks for it, which isn't often.
I do suspect they would gunk up if I removed the zone from my regimen.
Having dropped and broken at least $500 in pens, frankly it just tickles me pink to have my monitor anchored into a concrete wall. That's just me, though.
I do suspect they would gunk up if I removed the zone from my regimen.
Having dropped and broken at least $500 in pens, frankly it just tickles me pink to have my monitor anchored into a concrete wall. That's just me, though.
I had to check my meter after the nitric acid seemed a bit weak. it claimed the 4 was 4.2 and the 7 was 6.9 So at 5.5 where I use it, it's 0.1 off. The same as about a year ago. So again, I won't bother to re-calibrate. It's been like that since before any of my current plants arrived.
Everyone I know that kills meters, does so themselves. They claim othewise, but in time I catch them leaving lids off 'just while I do whatever' they say. But there is never an excuse to walk away. These are the people that leave the milk out, and roll a joint forgetting they already have one. They will always bust meters.
Sometimes it's the meter... Sometimes.
Couple of flicks with the wrist, and get the cap back on. Straight away.
Everyone I know that kills meters, does so themselves. They claim othewise, but in time I catch them leaving lids off 'just while I do whatever' they say. But there is never an excuse to walk away. These are the people that leave the milk out, and roll a joint forgetting they already have one. They will always bust meters.
Sometimes it's the meter... Sometimes.
Couple of flicks with the wrist, and get the cap back on. Straight away.
R
Rab.C
i have liquid ph drop kit but was going to buy ph meter are they more accurate than
ph liquid drop kits
ph liquid drop kits
GH liquid drops always gave me good results. I used them for 2 years straight after my 20 year old Milwaukee pen shot crap, then got a blue lab pen.
I like the blue lab pen but it takes a longer than the old Milwaukee to level out to the correct ph. It stays pretty accurate without needing to be calibrated for long periods too.
Also I believe the glass probe is beefier and replaceable should you have issues with it. The probe shattered on my Milwaukee.
The advantage of a cheap meter is that they are very easy to replace. It's better to buy 2 $30 meters that 1 $60 one.
This is more than enough for most grows, the most expensive one is $15,58, for which you get 2 digitals behind the dot, and even automatic temperature adjustment.
https://www.chinahao.com/product/19144857293/
Not connected to the company in any way, it's just the pH pen I've been using for years.
Those Chinese meters for under $30 are crap. Don't throw away your money when you can have something that will last 20 years like my old Milwaukee.
I paid $65 for the blue lab and its 4 years old only calibrated recently.
Short of continous monitoring (with digital record) I'll stick to the drops - 800 tests really is just 200 for me (cos I do it 4x). So I made the drop and sample size smaller - because pH test fluid is also not cheap @ $18oz($13usd) a bottle.
Finally, the pH colour code on the Flairform bottle varies and some are too dark, like when you use too many drops, ----- at the correct levels a pH of 6 is light yellow (NO orange) and pH6.1 has a tiny green tint
The 8oz GH refill is around 40.
Careful dunking those one's. They call them waterproof, but they're not. The spec says you can hose them down, but the screens often leak. My LHS was asking the price of a tip, for the whole meter.
Amazon have the usual $10 bargain looking meters, but seem to want $60 for the $30 stuff sold on eBay. It's the bigger is better attitude. Where the most expensive of 3 items, is thought to be the best. I would be careful there.
For years I have wanted to try an Omega meter, but mine just won't break. Omega are not a hydro brand. The better meter is £130 and new tips are £50. It's a proper long glass thing though. It's real. With 0.8 second response time. It's not the one I need though. £90 gets the typical meter that can be held underwater, a full meter deep for half hour. New tip £35. Plastics that look like hdpe, not something that will either melt or shatter.
The £130 meter has an rs232 socket, and about £300 gets a data logging meter.
The £90 meter has been on that site about a decade that I know of. It can't be bad. But what I really like about there meters... AAA batteries. Even the £40 meter uses them.
8oz of fluid would outlast me lol
R
Rab.C
f-e omega a uk company i am after a ph meter
Bobby Boucher
Active member
Y’all some cheapskates.
Blue lab is already suspiciously inexpensive for what it claims to be. Buy one and be glad that it works.
Blue lab is already suspiciously inexpensive for what it claims to be. Buy one and be glad that it works.
Blue Lab is a Kiwi company in NZ I believe too. I sure trust Kiwi's and Aussies much more than ChiCom Crap off some cheap skate con artist with no warranty off the webernets.
My Milwaukee was like $150 way back the BL was $65 and has already lasted 4 years vs the 20 from the Milwaukee.
I hear people buying one or two of those crap no brand meters then they can't figure out what's wrong with their grow ie because the new meter is a worthless POS.
I would take the GH drops over a cheap o meter any day of the week. At least you know the drops are not going to give you an incorrect reading.
You get what you pay for.
LT
