do I really need this? (tds meter)

[farmerJ420]

What's up RIU.... Well I bought this thing and I don't know how to use it lol...do I need it? How do I read it... I do use tap water but I let it set out for 24 hrs or more to get the chlorine out is that what this is supposed to check? I'm lost...

 

[CleverReference]

A tds meter (aka. total dissolved solids) is a meter that helps you determine the amount of dissolved solids in your water, i.e salts and minerals. If you are following a feeding schedule that came with your nutes, the dosage is usually given in tsp/gallon, ec or ppm.

So...yes you do need it if you plan on feeding your plants the right amount.

 

[CleverReference]

To use it, simply dip the end of it into your water and push the button. I cant read what your two buttons say, but it is one of those two. A number will appear on the lcd screen, give it about 30 seconds to level out and bingo that is your tds reading.

The tds reading is usually in ppm.

It is advised to let tap water sit out for a day or so to allow the chlorine to dissapate before giving it to your plants.

Oh and....http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tds+meter

 

[farmerJ420]

Thanks... But I heard that I really shouldn't follow the schedule bcuz it will burn my plant? So I've lowered the amount I give them and they haven't burnt since?

 

[CleverReference]

It depends on what nutes you're using, how sensitive your strains are, what soil you're using....etc etc.

You should always start out slowly with nutes and increase the dose over a few weeks.

Read your plants, they will tell you what they need when they need it.

 

[HeartlandHank]

It depends on what nutes you're using, how sensitive your strains are, what soil you're using....etc etc.

You should always start out slowly with nutes and increase the dose over a few weeks.

Read your plants, they will tell you what they need when they need it.

Totally. Ive been using ph paper and no meters for the last two grows. Meters only seem to last about 8 months here. Then it's time to throw down another 100-200 $.

Any meter is going to be an excellent tool to help you grow. If it is going to strap you for cash though, you'll be just fine without it. PH paper however takes a little while to get down. A good idea would be to get some ph paper while you have a meter. Test the paper to the meter and see what colors equal what numbers. Then if your meter goes down, you have a backup you are experienced with.

Just always start weak with new nutes or plants. You'll see what is wants pretty quick.

The good thing about the tds meter I used in the past was that it brought a nute mixing mistake to my attention before i fed it to the plants on a few occasions.

Accidentally mixed 2x strength, the meter read was beyond it's range and i knew i fucked up. Threw it out and mixed again.

Good luck.

 

[farmerJ420]

It depends on what nutes you're using, how sensitive your strains are, what soil you're using....etc etc.

You should always start out slowly with nutes and increase the dose over a few weeks.

Read your plants, they will tell you what they need when they need it.

I'm using fox farm full line from fox farm ocean forest and all the nutes.... I'm not a newbie to growing this will be my 5th grow i'm just new to the tds meter... I guess I should of said that b4 but thanks for ur help on how to use this meter... Is there a certain number for different stages of growth like veg, and flower?

 

[farmerJ420]

Totally. Ive been using ph paper and no meters for the last two grows. Meters only seem to last about 8 months here. Then it's time to throw down another 100-200 $.

Any meter is going to be an excellent tool to help you grow. If it is going to strap you for cash though, you'll be just fine without it. PH paper however takes a little while to get down. A good idea would be to get some ph paper while you have a meter. Test the paper to the meter and see what colors equal what numbers. Then if your meter goes down, you have a backup you are experienced with.

Just always start weak with new nutes or plants. You'll see what is wants pretty quick.

The good thing about the tds meter I used in the past was that it brought a nute mixing mistake to my attention before i fed it to the plants on a few occasions.

Accidentally mixed 2x strength, the meter read was beyond it's range and i knew i fucked up. Threw it out and mixed again.

Good luck.

Thanks... I have both a tds and Ph meter but they didn't cost me that much. And that's a good idea about about the strips tho

 

[FilthyFletch]

Heartland hank..PPM or ph meters cost liike $15 on ebay. I have a few of each I buy from ebay and in last 12 years think I had 1 ph pen go bad and one tds truncheon wand fail.How high to run nutes depends as said on brand and strain. Sativas are much more sensitive then indica strains. Fox Farm in my opinion is the best nute. Its hard to burn and the chart for me is alwasy bit low as my stariand handle the 1300 to 1900 ppm well...The ocean forest can run hot itsself so test ph from the soil by itsself before nutes.

 

[farmerJ420]

Heartland hank..PPM or ph meters cost liike $15 on ebay. I have a few of each I buy from ebay and in last 12 years think I had 1 ph pen go bad and one tds truncheon wand fail.How high to run nutes depends as said on brand and strain. Sativas are much more sensitive then indica strains. Fox Farm in my opinion is the best nute. Its hard to burn and the chart for me is alwasy bit low as my stariand handle the 1300 to 1900 ppm well...The ocean forest can run hot itsself so test ph from the soil by itsself before nutes.

Yeah I got Mine for around 15 bucks on Amazon...and the strains that i'm growing is a pineapple express (10 days till harvest) a white widow 2 days in flower and 1 acid and a purple haze in veg...any clue how each of these handle their nutes? My pineapple express is a beast lol...

 

[CleverReference]

I'm using fox farm full line from fox farm ocean forest and all the nutes.... I'm not a newbie to growing this will be my 5th grow i'm just new to the tds meter... I guess I should of said that b4 but thanks for ur help on how to use this meter... Is there a certain number for different stages of growth like veg, and flower?

Easy then, here is the ff schedule: http://foxfarmfertilizer.com/feedingfox.html

start at 1/4 strength, the reading on your tds meter will give you the ppm

 

[farmerJ420]

Easy then, here is the ff schedule: http://foxfarmfertilizer.com/feedingfox.html

start at 1/4 strength, the reading on your tds meter will give you the ppm

O..ok I get it now thanks

 

[BlueBalls]

Be aware of the conversion factor. For the HM EZ-TDS it is 0.5

https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/14207-ec-tds-ppm-what-differences.html

 

[HeartlandHank]

Damn. 15 bucks? Really? Wtf have I been doing? Haha.

Feltch, sounds like you take good care of your equipment. Good Man.