What pH/ppm equipment do you use?

kbone123

Active Member
My pH meter died recently.

I want to get something better (~$100), but am not sure. I am hearing scattered issues about Bluelab. I'd like something that can last, but also can't justify spending too much on it.

What do you use? Which brands do you like?
 

Somatek

Well-Known Member
I use to have a oakton phtestr 2 that lasted for years & was reliable.

I replaced it with a bluelab, so far it's been fine & easy to use/calibrate. Can't speak to it's longevity though.
 

TintEastwood

Well-Known Member
Bluelab
Milwaukee
Elcheap-o
-----
Gotta take care of the probe.
Two cheap meters are better than one expensive meter. (if one breaks or will no longer calibrate you have a spare)
 

kbone123

Active Member
Thanks.

I ended up getting the cheap Milwaukee with the manual calibration and some calibration liquids/storage solution. I will eventually spring for the Bluelab Guardian I think and deal with probe replacement as it needs it.
 

sm0k3gr33n

Active Member
Apera has given me no issues so far. My only gripe is the probe can easily be broken. Don't cheap out on meters if you can. It almost cost me my entire first grow. The cheap ones are good only for backup imo.
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
I trust this more than my cheap(?) pH meters! https://www.amazon.com/API-250-Test-Freshwater-Aquarium-Water/dp/B000255NAK?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffsb-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000255NAK

Gotta take care of the probe.
It's tough with the cheap rectangular meters/pens, if I put them in a glass of storage solution the stuff evaporates. I think the trick is to get a meter with a round probe... It can slip through a grommet into a little bottle of storage solution.
phprobe-1024x768.jpg
Next time, I might get a Milwaukee MW101, MW102 or MW802. Any thoughts on these?
 
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1212ham

Well-Known Member
Apera has given me no issues so far. My only gripe is the probe can easily be broken. Don't cheap out on meters if you can. It almost cost me my entire first grow. The cheap ones are good only for backup imo.
What model(s) are you guys using?
 

sm0k3gr33n

Active Member
Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 on amazon. Cant link it for some reason.

It holds calibration pretty well. Its way more than I was initially willing to spend, but not as much as other top of the line models. Be careful w the probe if you get it, $30 to replace.
 

stnr420

Well-Known Member
My pH meter died recently.

I want to get something better (~$100), but am not sure. I am hearing scattered issues about Bluelab. I'd like something that can last, but also can't justify spending too much on it.

What do you use? Which brands do you like?
Cheap ass ebay specials....they work flawlessly if u care for them
 
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