im about to get this soil meter is this any good?

luster leaf 1818
http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-1818-Rapitest-Tester/dp/B000RUI9QK/ref=sr_1_4?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1344101034&sr=1-4&keywords=soil+meter

what do you reckon? is this good enough? cant afford those fancy digital ones maybe sometime in the future i will
but if u have any recommendations on cheapo digital ones($15 budget moisture+ph) gimme a link please! global eligible please lol

and one of these cooltubes
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PJ3SY2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A1Y4RBJHD0SC34
http://www.amazon.com/Long-Duct-Glass-Cool-Reflector/dp/B00795A8QU/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A1Y4RBJHD0SC34

but which one?

juts said:

and one of these cooltubes
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PJ3SY2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A1Y4RBJHD0SC34
http://www.amazon.com/Long-Duct-Glass-Cool-Reflector/dp/B00795A8QU/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A1Y4RBJHD0SC34

but which one?

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screw this they dont ship to my location

It's a waste of money.....don't bother with it. It won't help you at all. They are NOT accurate!!!!!!

There is nothing cheap about doing it right and pH of water and your medium is about as important as it gets. Get a tester for your water, pH and ppm and monitor water in and water out- that's all you need.

They are fairly accurate....but in time it will start to give you false readings

Soil meters are useless.

I disagree with Fresno..... for indoor gardening, the meters are a piece of shit and don't read an accurate number. They are totally useless.

I wouldn't wast your time on that meter. Try this for PH http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-PH55-Waterproof-Tester/dp/B002SGKE8W I use the older version of this and it works well. I use this for PPM
http://www.eseasongear.com/hainprpotdsm.html you can also get the calibration solutions for not too much. Put a little bit of money out and get tools that are accurate and will last for years.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004YD7W82/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=009ZW2X93ZBE102AN89Q&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317828027&pf_rd_i=468294 try this its in budget

As for the water meter...most items that have an expensive digital version always have a crappier version that makes you think you are getting a deal but most of the time you spend less if you get the pricier one the first time..
But water meters aren't necessary to see when to water your plants...just feel the pots..if they are feather light then water them...if they have some heft, then leave them be.

I think the liquid drops are the easiest and cheapest way to check the pH of your water. And a simple cheap TDS or ppm meter will tell you obviously your TDS or PPM.

missnu said:

I think the liquid drops are the easiest and cheapest way to check the pH of your water. And a simple cheap TDS or ppm meter will tell you obviously your TDS or PPM.

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MOst fertilizer adds color to the mix so if you are trying to test after mixing fertilizer in it, the color will be off. It's fine for clean, fresh water but not after ferts are added.

thanks brothas! all i want is a cheap meter to test the soil's moisture and pH, but im currently using API test kit the next ones ima buy are digital meters for water
how bout these?
http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-1845-Rapitest-Digital/dp/B0032WFD5K/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1344166253&sr=1-5&keywords=soil+ph+meter
http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-1825-Rapitest-Moisture/dp/B0032WFD4G/ref=sr_1_17?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1344166253&sr=1-17&keywords=soil+ph+meter

they're in budget so..

missnu said:

I think the liquid drops are the easiest and cheapest way to check the pH of your water. And a simple cheap TDS or ppm meter will tell you obviously your TDS or PPM.

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im confused bro what should i get? whats the difference of TDS & EC meters? ima get one of those when i get the $$$

soil ph meters are useless? hilarious

FresnoFarmer said:

soil ph meters are useless? hilarious

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worked for me, why pay $25 up for a soil ph tester, you're only going to use it 3 or 4 times?

I don't even check my water because I know now, that the soil will be the ph you want to check, if anything.

Fuck I haven't checked my soil ph in5 months, and it's always the same--7 ph

i didnt buy the soil meter

how about these for ec/ppm & ph meters? w/c one will be nice?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Digital-EC-Conductivity-Meter-Cond-Tester-Pen-Water-0-1999-s-cm-/310346428729?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item484216b139#ht_5384wt_1186
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-EC-Conductivity-Meter-Tester-Water-0-19-9ms-cm-/230668961201?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b4f105b1#ht_4506wt_952
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PH-009-LCD-Digital-Pocket-Pen-Type-Aquarium-Pool-Water-Meter-Measure-Tester-/170890578822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c9df4b86#ht_2926wt_1186
free shipping! hell yea im broke! i have like $30 left to buy some digi meters

KatBUSA said:

I wouldn't wast your time on that meter. Try this for PH http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-PH55-Waterproof-Tester/dp/B002SGKE8W I use the older version of this and it works well. I use this for PPM
http://www.eseasongear.com/hainprpotdsm.html you can also get the calibration solutions for not too much. Put a little bit of money out and get tools that are accurate and will last for years.

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I use the same meter but bought 3 or 4 packets of the saline calibration solution for less than 4 bucks or some such when I ordered the meter through Amazon. Different sellers but combined ship. Works great. pH meter from the same manufacturer but a different seller. If you take care of them they really need little calibration until they have some hours on them. I checked mine against our RO water at work that we test weekly. the pH meter tips MUST be kept moist and that is clearly stated. But buy extra tips as certainly the need will arise.

juts said:

i didnt buy the soil meter

how about these for ec/ppm & ph meters? w/c one will be nice?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Digital-EC-Conductivity-Meter-Cond-Tester-Pen-Water-0-1999-s-cm-/310346428729?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item484216b139#ht_5384wt_1186
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-EC-Conductivity-Meter-Tester-Water-0-19-9ms-cm-/230668961201?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b4f105b1#ht_4506wt_952
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PH-009-LCD-Digital-Pocket-Pen-Type-Aquarium-Pool-Water-Meter-Measure-Tester-/170890578822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c9df4b86#ht_2926wt_1186
free shipping! hell yea im broke! i have like $30 left to buy some digi meters

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w/c one is better?