Hanna 98129 Combo Meter

Well, before I could dive deeper into hydroponics, I needed to have the proper tools. As you may or may not have read in the Deep Water Cooler thread, I made a DWCooler cloner. I left clippings in the cloner for over two weeks with zero success. So today, my meter finally came in. I believe my cooler has not been working because my ph was at well over 8 and my PPM was at around 140. Keep in mind, this is my tap water. I properly adjusted the PH down to 5.8 and I'm hoping my clones take off within the next week. Just wanted to share my experience. Perhaps later tonight, or this weekend I'll take some pictures of the meter in action for those interested in a reliable / affordable multimeter.

Did you also purchase the cleaning / calibration solutions? From what I've read it seems as if you want to keep some of the cleaning solution in the cap. Also it seems like it could be easy to mess up the calibrations so having those might be good as well. I haven't gotten them yet and was wondering if anyone knows the best place to pick that stuff up - preferably all together as a kit of some sort. BTW, I just got my meter today as well.

I did not buy any solutions. I'm no expert but I feel as if the various solutions are preventative maintenance. If some people on this forum are using cheapo 10 dollar meters with GREAT success, I see no reason why this meter won't last. I just make sure not to dry the meter out completely and use it often, shouldn't be a problem. I'll let you know.

With good meters like ours, it's imperative to calibrate on a regular basis and prior to using for the first time.
I have a Milwaukee Martini PH55 ph/temp combo meter.
I bought my meter at the hydro shop.
Went home, opened and read the instructions that said I need to calibrate it AND store it in solution in the cap.
So I went back and bought the 7.01 ph and 4.01 ph solutions at $11/ea for a few ounces.
My meter allows 2 calibration options for precision.
Just calibrate with the 7.01, or for more precise readings I can calibrate with the 4.01 solution and the 7.01 when my pen asks to be dipped in each.
I recalibrate every 30 days.
And rinse in plain water after each use and store it in 7.01 calibration solution.
Cleaning and storage are the main 2 variables that determine how long a persons meter will last.
Weeks, months or years ?

Flo, I feel as if this Hobby is like boating ...just throw in another 100.... So with me being the frugal grower, yet trying to do things in a semi-professional manner, what do you think the bare essentials are for this device? Could I get away with just a 7.01 calibration solution, or would I need a storage solution as well...? Thanks man.

I'm looking at the HA 98129 meter and wanted to get some understanding. The place I looked at ordering, recommends getting some additional solutions with the meter. Are they needed?

HI 7061 Cleaning Solution. Seems like a good idea. Is there another way of cleaning?
Hi 7004 ph 4.01 Buffer Solution. needed for PH calibration
HI 7007 ph 7.01 Buffer Solution. needed for PH calibration
HI 7031 1413 conductivity calibration solution. needed for Condictivity calibration?
HI 70300 Storage Solution. seems good, but I noticed in other posting people seem to store it in a calibration solution? which is best?

Also wondered how much of the solutions you use per month, seems like that should last a while. Except maybe the cleaning and storage solutions.

When storaging, do you just put some of the storage solution in the round side of the cap? How much do you need to put in the cap? I assume you should keep the meter stored upright?

thanks for the the information!

Yes you need all those solutions IMO. Not sure how much solution you may need and how long they will last. Yes store the probe in the storage solution in the cap so the sensor is covered. Store it however it keeps the fluid in it. Hopefully you have already had your ?'s answered by someone...

Flo Grow said:

You should be fine with just the 7.01 solution, which is what you can also store it in.

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You can do fine calibrating to 7 with distilled or RO water which is 7. You can also use that for storage.

I just bought This exact same meter (2 weeks ago) it comes nearly calibrated right out of the box. But i did it again just to be sure. im excited about the ability to change out the diode(if it dies). Had another meter before that died after a year started giving me error signals and the replacement diode was more than half the cost of this meter(giving ph reading 2.0+ actual).

This meter will be perfect for all your hydro needs without having to change up meters all the time. Make sure when you first get it you add some 7.01 calibration fluid into the cup on the left side. Let the diode get wet for 60 minutes before calibration (if wanted) then jump right into testing your water.

If you constantly dump the cup of storage solution(i DO constantly it even has a curved bottom to make it harder for you). that will be the only one you will use in any large amount the rest will probably last you several years as you dont need to calibrate unless you took out the batteries or you let the diode dry up.

I paid 60 dollars for the 4.0, 7.0 buffers, cleaning solution, and conductivity solution 2 months ago. The conductivity is gone, the buffers half full, the cleaning solution is unopened. I find the probe doesn't get too dirty if all you're doing is testing nutrient water. I also used a lot of the solution testing every week when I first got the meter to see how often it needed to be caled.

You can store the probe in the cap with a bit of a clean dish sponge dampened with either 4.0, 7.0, or storage solutions.

when i calibrate i put my 7.01 solution in a pill bottle and i re use it for coulple week it works for me with no drop in ph..i know u should'nt do this but work fine with me and i save a little money.. try it.. i also have a hana cant remember the model but it's the red pen..

Rob Lewis said:

I'm looking at the HA 98129 meter and wanted to get some understanding. The place I looked at ordering, recommends getting some additional solutions with the meter. Are they needed?

HI 7061 Cleaning Solution. Seems like a good idea. Is there another way of cleaning?
Hi 7004 ph 4.01 Buffer Solution. needed for PH calibration
HI 7007 ph 7.01 Buffer Solution. needed for PH calibration
HI 7031 1413 conductivity calibration solution. needed for Condictivity calibration?
HI 70300 Storage Solution. seems good, but I noticed in other posting people seem to store it in a calibration solution? which is best?

Also wondered how much of the solutions you use per month, seems like that should last a while. Except maybe the cleaning and storage solutions.

When storaging, do you just put some of the storage solution in the round side of the cap? How much do you need to put in the cap? I assume you should keep the meter stored upright?

thanks for the the information!

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Hannas are tricky and a bitch to use I own one and I love them but the probes wear down easily and Hannas only like their own brand of solutions.. I also HIGHLY recommended the storage solution, my probes were dying after one grow. That stopped when I started storing them in the storage solution.

I do find need for a portable every now and then but I certainly do like my continuous meters.
I owned the hanna you mentioned and have to say I'll probably never own another hanna meter in my life since finding bluelab.

dbkick said:

I do find need for a portable every now and then but I certainly do like my continuous meters.
I owned the hanna you mentioned and have to say I'll probably never own another hanna meter in my life since finding bluelab.

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what model bluelab you have? how much was yours?

I have two guardians , I think they've gone up in price since I bought, I got mine for like 275 I think. they're over 300 now but well worth it.

wow !! i think i'll stay with my hana.. lol i got mine on ebay for $76... there like $200 around here..

fasts10 said:

wow !! i think i'll stay with my hana.. lol i got mine on ebay for $76... there like $200 around here..

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you'll buy at least 3 of those hannas in the time I keep my one bluelab. the hanna works but be prepared for it to not function in the future. mine didn't outlast a probe replacement.