Looking for advice on ph meter

hey guys, I have been using the dwc method to grow, and so far my results are "ok", but I am now starting to notice the effects of a possible ph problem. So it is time that I invested in a ph meter, and I am finding my self a little confused as to what to look for in a good ph meter.

I obviously need one for measuring the ph of liquids, and I need it to measure ppm as well.

Could any one recomend a decent ph/ppm meter?

i would suggest the cwp 24/7 meter. You throw the probes in you nutrient mix and It will show you ph, ppm, and temp. The 24/7 meters are quicker and easier to calibrate. I paid $190 for my 24/7 meter but it was worth every penny.

awsome thanks, I did a quick search on google, but I can't find any lower than 210. Could you tell me where you got yours from?

Get it from e bay dude!

pH meter probe electrodes have a roughly 2 year lifespan. If the meter does not have a user-replaceable electrode, you buy a new meter or send your old one off for repair. If you have bought an integrated pH/ppm meter, you're without all measurements until the unit is repaired or replaced.

I use Eutech's Waterproof pHScan1 pH meters. Cheap, (AU$112), user replaceable tip ($72 every two years), reliable as the sunrise. I have one that's about 7 years old and another which is 5.

Nice, yeah that would make sense to get one with replaceable heads. Well I think that now I understand what to look for.

Always try and get a combo reader ph/ppm or more, and make sure that parts can be replaced without having to send the unit into the shop.

Am I missing anything?

yeah- you missed the part about NOT getting a combo meter. Get separate pH & nute meters.

haha oh right. sorry, was stoned as fuck last night, and not all of the brain cells are firing this morning.

I LOVE my Hanna instruments HI9813-6, expensive ($300) but works like a charm, does mS/cm, ppm, pH and also temps the water. Replaceable wand, easy to calibrate.

i just picked up a oakton ph and its pretty simple was about 100..

hmmm, and I am starting to think that no matter what, I will be shelling out at least a bill for a decent one.

atrumblood said:

haha oh right. sorry, was stoned as fuck last night, and not all of the brain cells are firing this morning.

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Totally cool. This is one of the few places in the world where 'oh, I musta been high' is not only a valid excuse but one worthy of praise.

With cheap meters, you get what you pay for. Expect to spend at least $100-125 for a good meter, one which will at least outlive its warranty.

Al B. Fuct said:

Totally cool. This is one of the few places in the world where 'oh, I musta been high' is not only a valid excuse but one worthy of praise.

With cheap meters, you get what you pay for. Expect to spend at least $100-125 for a good meter, one which will at least outlive its warranty.

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ROFL!!! man I love this forum, but seriously thank you for the information.

yea i use cheap paper ones. i bought a 30 dollar one off ebay but i cant understand how to calibrate so i just use the paper ones. can ou buy one that doesen't need to be calibrated?

happyface said:

yea i use cheap paper ones. i bought a 30 dollar one off ebay but i cant understand how to calibrate

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No instructions with it?

Paper strip tests are not very accurate.

I have to agree with that, I have used ph test strips in pools before, and I find it's more of a guessing game than an reliable measurement.

Btw thank you Al B for providing me with a kick ass new signature for the forums.

heh, no problem.

can ou buy one that doesen't need to be calibrated?

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I've not seen any electronic pH meters that don't require calibration. It's normally no harder than putting the meter in calibration mode and dipping it in a known-value reference solution. You then fix the calibration at those numbers, usually with the press of a button.

You will find pH 4.0 & 7.0 ref solns at any hydro shop. Without them, you can not verify that your meter is doing what you think it is.

I use Eutech's pHScan1 pH meters. About $115, user replaceable probe tip. All pH meters' probes last about 2 years and they must be stored damp, bit of wet sponge in the meter cap will do. User-replaceable tips prevent you having to send the meter off to the mfr for replacement.

I can only advise against buying one particular pH meter. While I love Bluelab's Truncheon meter for nute strength, their pH Truncheon is rubbish. I had three of them fail in rapid succession (would not cal in ref soln) before I gave up on them.