Need testing meter advice

Well, as one can always imagine. I've gone a bit over budget on my grow room. My hours have been cut at work and so I'm trying to squeeze as much as I can out of my ass.

I'm looking at getting a meter(s) to test my ph and ppm but I'm not sure which one to get. When it comes to many things, I know you get what you pay for but all the ones at HTGSupply seem decent. Is there any meters that are reliable and get the job done for around $150 or so? I don't mind getting something less that will work for about a year and then upgrade down the road.

This is the one I was looking at:
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47565

But I'm really nervous about spending money on something I'm really not sure about. It seems like picking a meter has been the hardest part of building a grow op.

Also, do I need to purchase the calibrating solutions? Or do they come precalibrated?

Any and all forms of input much appreciated.

This product is on special offer!


Our Price: $59.99 both meters at at www.stealthhydro.com

Make sure you get batteries and calibration fluids with it




Truncheon Style Nutrient Meter

Our Price: $89.99 Normal Price: $119.99

and you get a 5% discount for saying the words growtips.

nice thanks.
it's so confusing I think because each company for some reason makes 10 different versions of the things that do the same thing

I heard that the Combo meters PH and EC are no good.

You want a truncheon that measure PPM / EC and a separate PH meter like roseman showed.

its a weed it has a parameter we can call safe with potting soil and grow tolerances within our grasp don't over think this its a plant get over it

robert 14617 said:

its a weed it has a parameter we can call safe with potting soil and grow tolerances within our grasp don't over think this its a plant get over it

Click to expand...

Soil is not Hydro.

You have to have these tools to accurately control your Nutes / PH in Hydro.

Soil (especially organic) "self regulates".

only talking soil dident maen to step into hydro

Xare .... sorry for talking out of my fortae, i've screwed up big time sorry

ya i'm a bit sketchy on combo things. They never see, to out last their individual counter parts.
Thanks

No worries, ive seen flamdrags420 around and I knew he was a Hydro Guy.

hehe it's all good in my house and threads.
Well I'm not hydro yet. I have my room about half way done. Right now I'm working on the cloning area to make some clones to sex out and to go into my hydro mode to replace the mom. It's a fun ride so far.

Xare said:

I heard that the Combo meters PH and EC are no good.

You want a truncheon that measure PPM / EC and a separate PH meter like roseman showed.

Click to expand...

I've had my Hanna H 98129 Ph/EC/TDS combo meter for about a year now and am satisified with it so far. I calibrate it every couple of months. It's waterproof, just drop it into my res. It's readings are temperature adjusted. Paid around $119 online.

i got a Milwaukee Ph 600 its a pocket sized probe!! it works pretty good and i got it for 80$ they told me its all i need for a small grow!

right on thanks.
I went back to old searches and threads on this topic. It seems everyone is happy with every product on the market. Like I said though, it just makes it tough that each manufacturer puts out 10 different versions of the same thing =)
Thanks again guys.

do I need to buy a special solution or other things I need to keep maintained once I get it? I have read a few things about people keeping these things in a moist sponge to make sure everything stays in check etc...
I am planning on ordering those two meters Roseman posted.
Thanks guys

flamdrags420 said:

do I need to buy a special solution or other things I need to keep maintained once I get it? I have read a few things about people keeping these things in a moist sponge to make sure everything stays in check etc...
I am planning on ordering those two meters Roseman posted.
Thanks guys

Click to expand...

You will need to get calibration solution for each of your Ph and EC meters and a storage solution for the meters when they are not in use. You're correct, the probes need to be kept in storage solution, otherwise they dry out and don't function correctly.

thanks for the reply.
I would rep you guys, but don't know how on this new whacky layout

That pH tester I showed comes with batteries and caliration solutions.