I need a TDS meter, any recommendations?

Thanks for the input, I'm definately going to get a truncheon TDS, I'm getting tired of buying new meters. I had a eutech TDS go out on me too, i think it was just the display, damn calculator screens, hard to read mother fuckers.

Yeah, me too.

IF ONLY Bluelab could get their shit together with the pHT... the LED bar display is really superior from a durability and readability standpoint.

I first bought this TDS meter: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31CQ3W22FBL._SL500_AA280_.jpg and it lasted about 3 weeks. I then ordered this el cheapo Sunleaves meter, http://www.midwesthydroponics.com/products/images/new_hydro/scat_30124.jpg, and it has lasted almost a year now. It seems to work fine. It told me my tap TDS was 212, and the lab I had analyze my water said it was 198, so that is pretty close for me.....the Milwaukee seemd accurate, just quit working one day after a month.
My experience.....have you ever been experienced?

I've been using the Hanna waterproof combo meter since June. It seems to work fine.

Sorry, I missed replying to this...

Kludge said:

It's good to hear you suggest that one, it's the one I was looking at, but I was wondering about the calibration. The other meters I looked at have to be calibrated; is that because they are pH meters too?

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Most EC meters are permanently calibrated. I can't recall any that have required or even had a facility for user calibration. It could be because measuring the conductivity of a solution is a simple resistance measurement. Resistance measurements can be done with a relatively large voltage, meaning the signal the device is reading is high above the noise.

pH measurement by electronic means is a lot trickier. It involves inducing a very small signal in a metal electrode which is embedded in glass. That tiny sig has to be amplified many thousands of times before it can be used for calculating the pH. The signal-to-noise ratio and linearity of the amplification stage/s are of crucial importance in the accuracy of a pH meter, which is why they need frequent calibration, most importantly to assure they read linearly across the required 4.0-7.0 range.

Al B. Fuct is the dean of the University of Marijuana Horticulture, he has a doctrine in growroom equipment. :clapping:

I use this.



I bought it at my local hydro store and I wanna say it was on the order of $60-$70.

Most EC meters are permanently calibrated. I can't recall any that have required or even had a facility for user calibration.

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This model is calibrated by the user. I bought a standardized solution that is used to calibrate the meter. You dip the pen into the solution and unscrew the top and there are up and down buttons and you adjust the number on the meter until it matches the number on the bottle (I think it is a 800 ppm solution). You are supposed to do this once a month I believe, and you should rinse the probe with rubbing alcohol once in a while to remove any buildup. As a scientist, I believe that for the most accurate readings your measuring device should be one that is regularly calibrated by the user. After all, we're talking about relying on a chemistry lab-quality device that can detect changes up to 10 ppm.

Pros: Cheaper then the Truncheon, more accurate then the Truncheon, has replacable sensors available that are much cheaper then new units if needed, uses watch batteries that last a long time (5 months and going strong), comes with an extra set of batteries
Cons: No lit display, smaller, should be regularly calibrated, calibration is a little trickier then the instructions lead you to believe (at least it is on mine)

I recommend it.

Had one, didn't like it, damn calculator screen, hard to calibrate, hold down button two no three seconds, hit button twice etc. All on the tiny screen that you can't read while testing the water.

The Hanna one has to be calibrated for pH and for ec. It does both calibrations basically automatically. The lcd seems plenty readable to me. Does anyone know how long I can expect this thing to last?

The pH electrode will last 2 years. If the pH electrode is not user replaceable, you either buy a new meter or send yours in for service. This is why I use separate pH & EC meters and the pH meters I use (Eutech pHScan1 waterproof) have user-replaceable electrodes.

Al B. Fuct said:

The Bluelab Truncheon is as good as they get.

No moving parts, not even a power switch. Auto power on & off by dipping in the tank. No LCD to go bad- display is by a bar of LEDs on a calibrated scale, which you can read at arm's length in any lighting condition. I have one which is now more than 7 years old.

Bluelab also make a pH Truncheon. Much as I love the TDS Truncheon, I can't recommend the pH version. I bought one last year and had to return it- twice. I had 3 of them fail in rapid succession before I gave up on them.

The TDS version, on the other hand, is utterly bulletproof. Shop around, prices vary.

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i heard the same thing these are said to be really good i will be ordering one for myself in the next day or so

The one that I have definitely has a user replaceable pH electrode.

anyone?? i am afraid LOL
who is brave enough to give this one a try?


Hydroponics Nutrient Truncheon - EC/PPM/CF Meter, New! - eBay (item 310083983382 end time Sep-22-08 08:16:18 PDT)

mrbuzzsaw said:

anyone?? i am afraid LOL
who is brave enough to give this one a try?

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You should be afraid.

This is a Chinese ripoff of the real Bluelab Truncheon TDS meter. I wouldn't touch one with a thirty one and a half foot pole.

There's two things you should never go cheap on in a grow- lighting and ESPECIALLY pH/EC metering. Both will bite you in the ass, but a lying meter will kill plants and have you chasing your tail trying to sort it out.

mrbuzzsaw said:

anyone?? i am afraid LOL
who is brave enough to give this one a try?


Hydroponics Nutrient Truncheon - EC/PPM/CF Meter, New! - eBay (item 310083983382 end time Sep-22-08 08:16:18 PDT)

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I love it when they put in shit like this:

"We are using an auto-reply system for our feedback management. When it receives a feedback and it will send out the same category feedback to the sender within 24 hours. Hence, please do not ask us to give feedback first as you will receive one when you have send one to us."

In other words if you give us bad feedback we will give YOU bad feedback because of it. Not because of the transaction but just because you gave us bad feedback. Because we're evil. And we hate your freedom.

It's an eye for an eye world.

"I kick you in the nuts, then you kick me in the nuts, okay?" :barf:

Al B. Fuct said:

IF ONLY Bluelab could get their shit together with the pHT... the LED bar display is really superior from a durability and readability standpoint.

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The pH truncheon is available, I found it while looking for an electrode replacement for my eutech.