Soil meter that actually works?

[ChasingGreen]

Hello all! I'm a very science based person, and thus excel at DWC but haven't got the hang of soil. One thing I can't figure out is the ph of the soil. I know it needs to be between 6 and 6.5, but don't have a way to measure it.

Those stick 3-in-1 meters from Home Depot for $9 don't work to measure the ph, we all know that. Quesiton is, what actually does?

I found the Hanna Direct Soil ph meter, for $300 on amazon. Is that the best for the price? I don't mind spending the money, as I'm beyond frustrated right now with soil and guessing how much lime to add, making a different mix every time, but ultimately not knowing what the ph is. I measured the runoff with a digital meter but everyone says that's not accurate.

Hanna Meter-

There is also a $90 meter on amazon:

Would love to hear from anyone who actually owns a reliable soil ph meter.

 

[Budley Doright]

Im not going to spoil your fun.....

but more expensive devices come with an accuracy tolerance....

like .2 plus or minus....

Once you have researched that.....let us know what you find....

 

[sackoweed]

I always wondered if those things work too.. Keeping my eye on this

 

[ChasingGreen]

Im not going to spoil your fun.....

but more expensive devices come with an accuracy tolerance....

like .2 plus or minus....

Once you have researched that.....let us know what you find....

I am perfectly fine with a 0.2 intolerance! Right now I know it's between 4 and 10..... lol. Even if I measure to 6.3 I'd be gold. Ever tried a ph soil meter yourself? (Not the $10 ones)

 

[prune]

Soil Ph is the great unmeasurable as it is always a moving target, any measurement you acquire can only possibly make sense with years of relative experience.

 

[dr-dank]

I would stick with a slurry test and just get a decent meter you can calibrate to measure.

I doubt direct soil measurement will work (as well) and its much more expensive. What does a new ph probe cost (at that price it better be replaceable).

Regards

 

[Budley Doright]

I am perfectly fine with a 0.2 intolerance! Right now I know it's between 4 and 10..... lol. Even if I measure to 6.3 I'd be gold. Ever tried a ph soil meter yourself? (Not the $10 ones)

Well if Im not mistaken both of the meters say they are accurate to .2 ph points.......

 

[larry badiner]

you can get a rough estimate of the ph in soil using one of those cheap drop ph testers, just put a small sample of soil in the vial, shake and let settle for about 10 minutes, then drop 2-3 drops of the ph tester liquid. then check the color against the chart. its what i used when i was growing with syntethic ferts

 

[mack 10]

The Hanna meter looks cool.

 

[MrBungle]

http://controlwizardproducts.com/proddetail.php?prod=Accurate-pH-7

I use a control wizard pH7 I looks and works a lot like the Kelway.. just is not made in the US and doesn't cost as much.... There is another model called the pH8 with a longer probe that some folks prefer to take deeper into the root zone pH readings... I chose the pH 7 bcause the sensor touches more surface area in the soil... and gets deep enough into my smart pots for me to not be concerned...

I find it to be extremely accurate when the probe is cleaned with the provided scratch pad between readings..

I consider it a sensitive instrument so I treat it accordingly... I don't think it would take kindly to many drops

You can shop around and find it under $50 online

 

[Ratzilla]

This is the one I use.

http://controlwizardproducts.com/proddetail.php?prod=Accurate-pH-8


As Mr Bungle said.
It does take some special actions to get accurate readings though.
The probe MUST be cleaned before every use.
It comes with a pad of that green plastic type material.
No steel wool it will screw it up.
I often use that green abrasive pad with a touch of soft scrub then wipe clean with a paper towel before each readings.
I like it!
I have had it for years.
I only use it when first making up a batch of soil.
Ratz
That ph7 model looks much like a Kelway!

 

[ChasingGreen]

Thanks for the suggestions on the ph8, I will go that route! Really appreciate the feedback, I knew there had to be a better option out there.