Hana Instruments PH Meter

Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
I just found my old school PH meter in my parent’s basement.

Modem number is HI 98129.

Measures PPM, PH, EC.

Wondering on how to calibrate it. Instructions are so complicated. I’m assuming I need some type of solution?

I noticed that it doesn’t beep when the PH has been measured. It takes a while to get a reading but I noticed after a bit of time you just don’t see the numbers move anymore. Is that common for PH meters? Basically I’ve forgotten how to use this thing but when testing parents water it appeared theirs was 7.44PH. Curious what mine is. May need some PH down for watering my plant.

Also is this one any good?
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
I am getting measurements. But I don’t know if the probe is busted or not. How would one figure that out?

Is this worth keeping and buying a new probe? It is replaceable.

Are you guys suggesting buying a new probe and some storage solution?
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
Skoal said:
I am getting measurements. But I don’t know if the probe is busted or not. How would one figure that out?

Is this worth keeping and buying a new probe? It is replaceable.

Are you guys suggesting buying a new probe and some storage solution?
Click to expand...
Yes but first get some ph test drops or litmus paper and compare with just your tap water
Typically tap water is 7.0 to 8.0
You will want cleaning solution and a buffering solution too
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
Okay. I think I’m gonna pick up some buffering and cleaning solution. I guess I can get that at any hydro store and it doesn’t need to be the Hanna Brand?

Now I noticed that there are two ways to set this thing up? One was at a 4 buffer and the other was a 7 buffet. What buffer should I be doing?

Now litmus paper won’t actually give me the exact reading to the decimal but that should still be good to Guage the PH?
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
Skoal said:
Okay. I think I’m gonna pick up some buffering and cleaning solution. I guess I can get that at any hydro store and it doesn’t need to be the Hanna Brand?

Now I noticed that there are two ways to set this thing up? One was at a 4 buffer and the other was a 7 buffet. What buffer should I be doing?

Now litmus paper won’t actually give me the exact reading to the decimal but that should still be good to Guage the PH?
Click to expand...
I use 7 for buffer
You can get solutions in single use packets
The litmus will at least give you some idea if the thing works before putting money into it
Now I will say this if you are growing in soil , your really don't need to PH
I only use mine for my aerocloner
Good luck
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
Well got good news.

The storage solution is now in. Bought buffering of 4 and 7. Thing works.


Thank god I didn’t buy cleaning solution. I just found some from the basement. Still sealed in packaging with plastic wrap. Grotek part a and b cleaning solution for ph probe.

The one thing I need is to figure out the calibration solution for the PPM so I can calibrate that cause I think it may be off.

I prefer testing ph for watering. Always like to water between 5.5 and 6.5 right.

Today is a good day. Only blew $16 and have a $150 PH meter.
 
Last edited:
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Glad it still works! Sometimes you can bring an old probe back to life by soaking it in tap water for a day.
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
My tap water at home after a calibrarion reads 7.9.

I read an article about my city’s water and they claim the ph to be 8.9-9.0 when it comes to the tap. Yeah I know right?!

The fact that I recalibrated it and am getting readings on suggests the probe is fine? Or is that reading of 7.9 way too low for what the news claims my city pumps water out at? I also live outside the city in a rural community but in municipal water.

First sample I took was a bottle of water in the tent for over a week. It measure 7.9. Took another sample straight out of tap and it’s reading 7.49.

Took a second sample of the water I originally measured and it came back at 7.93. So it is consistent. Can water go up in PH from sitting in a bottle? Could have sworn I got this water from the tap but a week ago no different than the 7.49 tap water I just pulled out.

This doesn’t mean my ph meter is broken is it? Like it did calibrate at 4Ph and 7ph with buffer solution. If it read that it should be fine right?Am I thinking too much into this?

Hate to see my meter broken.
 
Last edited:
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Easiest way to test it is put it in cal solution and see if it reads right. If the probe is bad it won't stay "calibrated" for long.
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
She seems to be reading the same ph from the same sources. I’ve researched that letting water sit can increase PH. I don’t think she’s broken. Fresh tap water always comes out at 7.49
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
Well yeah my meter is totally busted. I did a calibration at 7 and 4. Then went to measure those buffers. The 4 solution was coming out at 3.8 on the ph meter and was constantly dropping. Looks like I need a new fucking probe. Also noticed my sorting solution dried up real quickly. Guess you need to top that crap up weekly. Well does anyone know where I can get a probe for my unit for cheap to Canada?
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
As I remember, I used to own that same model and the probe is replaceable and it came with a little tool to change it.
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
Renfro said:
As I remember, I used to own that same model and the probe is replaceable and it came with a little tool to change it.
Click to expand...
You are correct. However I lost the tool lol. And the replacement part is about $66 CDN. Still trying to find free shipping but gotta order over $99 worth of stuff. Still trying to figure out my options on where to buy. In store would be nice but I get the feeling that’ll be difficult to find. Try to skip out on the shipping. Amazon.ca doses that seem to have them. But it is a great meter and probably worth the replacement.

I’ve read that you can revive them. So I stored mine in storing solution over night. Gonna try to calibrate it again and test the buffers. Was using solo cups, not sure if that makes a difference. But I did notice that my readings never stabilize. They will stabilize for a second but then either go up or down. I know that’s not suppose to happen. When I used one last about 10 years ago once you got your reading, you got your reading. It’s not suppose to fluctuate or pause for a second and then go up or down.
 
Skoal

Skoal

Well-Known Member
You know what I think I’m going to do. Gonna keep the meter. Use it for ppm only. And then buy a cheap ph meter to measure ph. Just need calibration fluid for the ppm. Cheaper than buying a $78cdn probe.
 
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
After wasting money on a cheap Millwaukee, a Hanna Checker and ridiculous amounts of calibration fluid, I did my research and bought a Millwaukee MW102 for $115. I has digital calibration so it doesn't drift. It read 7.04 new and still does, I never bothered to calibrate.
 
Herb & Suds

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
Skoal said:
You know what I think I’m going to do. Gonna keep the meter. Use it for ppm only. And then buy a cheap ph meter to measure ph. Just need calibration fluid for the ppm. Cheaper than buying a $78cdn probe.
Click to expand...
Are you sure , I have bought probes for far less from china on Amazon ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top