the newb must have check list

If you plan on growing cannabis in 2015 here is a list of cheap must haves that are essential. note i am very cheap so there may be better options available but experience has taught me that just because you have the money doesnt mean you should spend it.

1.) DIGITAL PH meter.
[$9 shipping included (to the US)]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-Digital-PH-Tester-Pocket-Pen-Type-Aquarium-LCD-Display-pH-Meter-Measur-EFFU-/111566793388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item19f9e62aac

Here's why. PH problems create lockouts which show deficiencies of nutrients that are actually there which can cause you to to waste time , money, and possibly create problems with excess. when ever anything happens the first place you should always start is the PH. The reason i stress digital (as im sure all of the extreme cheapskates / super budgeted people want to know) is that the drops and the paper test work, but parts per million changes the tone of the colors so you end up with colors that arent on the scale. in short its a head ache that $4 extra could very easily prevent.


2.) DIGITAL TDS, PPM, EC ( all do the same thing )
[$5 shipping included ( to the US)]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Pocket-TDS-Meter-Water-Tester-Pen-LCD-Monitor-Pool-Aquarium-Laboratory-/400834470488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item5d5398a258

Here's why. All of the meters listed above measure the amount of stuff in a given solution. this allows you to get intimate with your feeding regimens and save money by saving fertilizer. for example if i noticed that when i used less than 600 ppm my plants showed signs of def but used 1.5 gals apiece. but at 900 and above my plants would drink ~3/4-1gals of nutrient solution but they only took what they wanted so the ppm kept rising until the leaves darkened and the tips burned ( signs of over fertilization). but at between 750-850 (depending on size and what part of the cycle it was in they drank~1.5-2 gals. knowing the ceiling of my plants allowed me to optimize / customize my mix depending of plant needs without really worrying about excess. its also good for those who like to top off and use additives.


3.) A Lupe (60- 120xs magnification and a MOVEABLE light source)
[$6.50 for a 100x scope shipping included ( to the US)]
Note: The 60x's are $3 and they work but i love the definition at 100x, but ill post the link anyway

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100X-Jewelry-Gem-Handheld-Pocket-LED-Light-Microscope-Loupe-Magnifier-Pen-SH-/171326978223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item27e3e238af

http://www.ebay.com/itm/60X-Magnifying-Magnifier-Jeweler-Eye-Jewelry-Loupe-Light-LED-Currency-Detecting-/141331832729?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20e8089f99

Here's why you need it. a jewelers loupe takes A LOT of the guess work out of one of the most asked questions of this and similar forums,.. " Is this ready to harvest?". being able to see the trics helps a lot when your gauging ripeness. it also helps when diagnosing bug infestations. Oh and the reason the light source has to be present and moveable is because the light itself increases visibility and definition 10 fold. it also helps when your growing under lights that arent white. it removes the orange filter hps lights put on your eyes letting you veiw the trics easier. the light has to be moveable to prevent glare, which sounds like its not a big deal but it can blur the images and hurt your eyes.



4.) A (miniature) DIGITAL Hygrometer
[$2 shipping included (to the US)]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/new-Mini-Digital-LCD-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Humidity-Temperature-Meter-Indoor-hg-/271693531419?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4232491b

Here's why, the miniature hygrometer takes a lot of the guess work out of the curing process. Once you get past all the stresses and dramas affiliated with growing. most if not all new growers realize that growing is the easy part drying and curing is the hard. a bad cure will make the dankest herb on earth taste and smell like hay / wet grass. a grow is nothing without a good dry and cure. And there are 1000s of videos and tutorials about how to do it, but with out some one physically there to show you ( at least in my experiences) it becomes exponentially harder. the hygrometer tells you the humidty inside the jar/ container(s) you cure in. this basically tells you when to burp. once the jars hit 60% the cure starts and at 65% you burp. thats the shortest (informative ) curing tutorial youll find ON EARTH ....lol

hope i helped and LIKE MY THREAD

What about a reflex meter ( analog )? You gonna want a floor so you have a place to put things down. You also need a door so that you can get inside. That's about it i guess.