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firefox
looking at buying one of these. is there any specific one i need. or are they more or less all the same its for the dwc bubbleponics.cheers lads n lasses.regards.
get the drop pH test kit as a backup. Just to double check that your digi is in full working order. Losing a crop to a malfunctioning meter really sucks.
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good drown
i would try the hanna water proof meter that does a more accurate reading, 6.41, it goes to the hundredth, so usually those are more accurate. it costs around $115. i bought the oaktpn ecotester for around $70 and i have to calibrate it alot. the hanna has a replaceable probes, and it comes with an extra, and that alone makes it the same price as the oakton if you think about it like that. the oakton does not have a replaceable probe.
Apicalmeristem
Member
Im with good down (nice Pink Floyd reference) get your self a Hanna meter and call it a day. I use Hanna meters at all my spots and they are great, Just make sure you get the water proof one's
After considerable research, The conclusion on pH pens was a crapshoot at best. Milwaukee sucked least followed by Oakton with Hanna at the bottom of the barrel. I stuck with test drops. Accurate to 0.1 pH, no batteries, no cleaning, no maintenance. They kept my Marine tank going for years, an environment far more pH sensitive than weed.
I have both a Hanna and Oakton and have no problems with either. My hanna has been my trusty companion for 6 years now and still going strong.
It should also be noted that I do take good care of my equipment.
It should also be noted that I do take good care of my equipment.
Get a Milwaukee SM802 (does pH + TDS or just get the version that only does pH) or a Hanna HI 98129.
The electrode (tip) must NEVER dry out otherwise it has to be replaced. If you take care of the meters they'll last awhile and remain accurate.
They're expensive but if you're not gonna spend at least $120 then forget meters altogether. Drops and strips get annoying fast. I became frustrated with cheap ebay meters and low end Hanna meters (the only good Hanna meter is the one I listed above) and opted for the Milwaukee SM102.
The electrode (tip) must NEVER dry out otherwise it has to be replaced. If you take care of the meters they'll last awhile and remain accurate.
They're expensive but if you're not gonna spend at least $120 then forget meters altogether. Drops and strips get annoying fast. I became frustrated with cheap ebay meters and low end Hanna meters (the only good Hanna meter is the one I listed above) and opted for the Milwaukee SM102.
mikeross
Member
My trimeter crapped out on me yesterday and I decided to buy the GH kit for only 5 bucks. I use to use them back in the day when I had my reef and african cichlid tanks running. It seems to be getting a good reading but the color scale goes up by 1 point, 5.0, 6.0 ect.
I assume you are not using the general hydroponics kit if you can get readings on a color chart down to the .01ph... If thats so I am gonna kiss ph meters good bye. I really like the ease of use.
I hope we are talking about the same type of kits... The one I use, uses 3-5 drops per half filled test tube. Only issue with mine is I like to set my ph to about 5.6 and watch it drift up over the course of a week to 5.9, then I do my weekly water change. With this kit that goes up by 1.0ph doesnt let me see that small drift that can only be measured on a .01ph scale.
I would love to know what kit your using. Also do you go outside in natural light to get your reading off the chart. I find different lighting really changes the shade of color. What type of lighting environment does the company based their charts off of?
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firefox
sorted now lads decided to go for the test drops as i have messed about in the past with cichlids and had them off to a tee using them before ..have also aquired pen of a pal of mine last night freebie so best of both worlds many thanks lads ...
Mr. Stinky
Member
i would also like to know more detail about your drops? ive used the drops for a few years, just because i dont wanna buy a cheap meter, and dont think a 200 dollar one would be worth the money.i have the gh kit that does 3.0 and up in 1.0 increments (sucks pretty bad) and also the drops for 6.0-8.0 (but we need to go less than 6.0) so what and where to get it, boss ???
gh kits work been using them for awhile just picked up a oakton pttester ph/tds/temp works great so far !!!
http://www.4oakton.com/proddetail.asp?parent=2∏=352&seq=2&Totrec=13
best for your buck !!! good luck!!!
http://www.4oakton.com/proddetail.asp?parent=2∏=352&seq=2&Totrec=13
best for your buck !!! good luck!!!
Just go with the Hanna. When I started, I got those shittastic Hanna pens on ebaY for around $20 a piece. They suck. When I get the $$$...I will get the Hanna that everyone recommends. It is just a small price to pay for many years of convenience.
My PH pen is out of wack, and calibration screw does not work anymore. Meh.
My PH pen is out of wack, and calibration screw does not work anymore. Meh.
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rick shaw
Do not use ph meters with water from the machines at the grocery stores that water is dionized those bulbs will die quickly.I went through three before I figured it out.
What machines? I've never seen a machine that dispenses water at any grocery store. But you're right, the manual for my meter specifically says not to store in distilled or deionized water.
wizberry
Member
This is right...although u can measure distilled water, u don't want to store it in distilled/deionized water. pH storage solution is essential for maximum probe life. I like to put 1 or 2 drops of storage solution in the cap. After using, shake off the extra nutrient and reinsert into the cap. Every now & then, add new drops of storage solution. Always inspect the glass probe for crud and snot.
Have owned and used many pH meters...Hanna(5), Milwaukee(3), Oakton(1), American Marine(1), Nutradip(1), & Bluelab(2). Nutradip is expensive but worth it. Mine has been going strong since 2005, with the original blue pH probe. It's continuous so it always stays in the reservoir. I clean it ocasionally w/ an interdental mini-brush.
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rick shaw
Trick I learned cut a piece of sponge put it in the cap to keep the probe moist.
Get a Bluelab combo meter 5 years warranty.Imho Hanna meter is crap like FreezerBoy state before.Always check if the probe was wet before storing,caliber your pen once a week,and don't drop it in rez.
Budweiser13
Active member
Check out the ISFET PH meters they are a little more expensive but no need to worry about them drying out and needing a new bulb do a google search for more info. http://www.amazon.com/MiniLab-IQ120-ISFET-pH-Meter/dp/B0019RR204 
