A PH Question

skunkushybrid

skunkushybrid

New Member
I've recently bought a ph meter. It's one of the probe-type, where you have a dial with a finger that points to the ph level.

When I make a mix, I place the probe into the water. The probe only contains a small area for testing ph. When this part of the probe sits at the bottom of the water I get a reading of ph 5.5, but as I slowly draw it towards the surface the ph rises to 6.5.

To be fair, the probe is intended to test very watery soil. Could it be that the pressure of the water is affecting the reading?
 
skunkushybrid said:
I've recently bought a ph meter. It's one of the probe-type, where you have a dial with a finger that points to the ph level.

When I make a mix, I place the probe into the water. The probe only contains a small area for testing ph. When this part of the probe sits at the bottom of the water I get a reading of ph 5.5, but as I slowly draw it towards the surface the ph rises to 6.5.

To be fair, the probe is intended to test very watery soil. Could it be that the pressure of the water is affecting the reading?
Click to expand...

this is just as guess, but to do have some floaty alkaline substances? or rather, heavy acidic?
 
It's the meter, it's shit. It takes about ten minutes to get an accurate reading, and as I move it towards the surface the meter goes up and takes its time taking the reading again.

Bit of a nightmare, as this means I've been ph'ing way too low. Should I flush, or just continue with correct ph' and wait for things to pick up?
 
skunkushybrid said:
It's the meter, it's shit. It takes about ten minutes to get an accurate reading, and as I move it towards the surface the meter goes up and takes its time taking the reading again.

Bit of a nightmare, as this means I've been ph'ing way too low. Should I flush, or just continue with correct ph' and wait for things to pick up?
Click to expand...

i know the meter i had was only designed for wet soil. try to mix some dirt with lime, and get it wet, let it drain.. then do it with something like heavy commeric. fert and see if u get accurate dirt readings. maybe water alone has properties that dont allow the gauge to work right
 
skunkushybrid said:
I know, it's my own fault for not reading the packet properly. I'll have to try and work round it for now.
Click to expand...

dude if your just testing water than get a little package of PH strips. they're like $3 at the most, you get like 100 of them and u just dip and compare to a color chart. perfect for h2o
 
I've got the liquid ph test kit, so I've gone back to using that. I thought buying the meter would make things easier. It's easily a whole ph point out.
 
skunkushybrid said:
I've got the liquid ph test kit, so I've gone back to using that. I thought buying the meter would make things easier. It's easily a whole ph point out.
Click to expand...

yeah, it says on the package (DO NOT PUT DIRECTLY IN WATER), as it will screw up the electodes on the tip. i would not trust the reading what so ever.
 
skunk man just stick with the liquid kit. ive been using mine for like 3 grows now. at least until you can get a nice electronic one
 
Yeah, I'm a little gutted. My first hydro grow and I lock up all the nutrients on their first feed! Oh well, it's only 3 plants, plenty more where they came from.
 
skunk.. i do not think you need to flush.. if you are sure that you have been pHing to low.. then just pH as normal.. but error on the side of HIGH..

cheers
 
That's good news, as that is exactly what I have done. There already seems a change in them... hopefully i'll start seeing some growth.
 
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