pH meter questions

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chronald mcdonald

Member
I've looked around the site but can't find a direct answer to this question.. I apologize for my second question today.

My Milwaukee pH 600 came today with buffer solution 4 and 7.

Apparently I needed to buy storage solution too.

Question1: Someone has told me that I can just use pH 4, is this true? If so, I just wash the electrode with tap water and then just pour ph 4 in the cap?

Question2: The pH balanced tap water I'll be using to water.. is this just room temperature tap water or should I do something to it first like put it through a Britta filter or boil it?

Question3: the tip can't get dry, right? But it came dry on my meter.... there's no liquid in the cap. Is this okay because it hasn't been calibrated yet or is my meter already screwed?

Last question: When I calibrate it with 4 and 7, do I rinse the ball in between each calibration or just dunk it from one liquid to another?

Ahhh... this pH stuff is the most confusing thing about growing, in my opinion! I would greatly appreciate being pointed to a relevant thread with this info, or some answers.

Thank you in advance!

-A
 
thechoroid

thechoroid

Active Member
Bro! Read the instructions on the ph tester and figure it out. If you're growing in soil you'll need a ph of 6.5. if hydro, 5.5.
 
grobofotwanky

grobofotwanky

Well-Known Member
but to answer your questions...
1) I use pH7 for storage. Pour a little bit in the cap and store upright. Rinse probe and shake dry before storing.
2)Leave tap water to sit out for at least 24 hours to evaporate chlorine, or filter with RO
3)You have to soak the tip for 12 hours to activate. refer to directions.
4)I just go from one to the other with no rinse.

If your meter didn't come with directions just let me know and I'll help you further. I still have my instructions for reference. I'm just not gonna type it all if you can simply read it on your own.
 
C

chronald mcdonald

Member
The instructions were minimal to nonexistent, otherwise of course I would have just done that and not posted.

The instructions say to calibrate the meter with ph 7 and, if I want, with ph 4 as well. It says to keep the tip wet with solution at all times. And that's it. I know all of that already. I just need more detailed info..


thechoroid said:
Bro! Read the instructions on the ph tester and figure it out. If you're growing in soil you'll need a ph of 6.5. if hydro, 5.5.
Click to expand...
 
C

chronald mcdonald

Member
Thanks for your help grob.. I seriously appreciate it. I've found info online on nearly all of my growing questions except for this.

When you say soak the tip for 12 hours to activate.. soak it in what? A buffer solution? Does it matter which number? So, I just leave it in a cup with buffer solution for 12 hours?

Thanks again

chronald mcdonald said:
The instructions were minimal to nonexistent, otherwise of course I would have just done that and not posted.

The instructions say to calibrate the meter with ph 7 and, if I want, with ph 4 as well. It says to keep the tip wet with solution at all times. And that's it. I know all of that already. I just need more detailed info..
Click to expand...
 
grobofotwanky

grobofotwanky

Well-Known Member
It reads, "Attention, remove cap and immerse the unit in MA9015 storage solution for 12 hours. If you do not have MA9015 storage solution you may use 4.01 Calibration liquid(enclosed)-Always store the unit in an upright position with MA9015 storage solution or 4.01 in the cap.

Calibration.Enter calibration mode by pressing the cal button. The pH tag will start blinking on the LCD. For single point calibration, place probe in any buffer solution, (4.01, 7.01, 10.01) The meter will automatically recognize and display the buffer value. when the pH tag stops blinking, press the SET button to confirm the calibration point(note- if 7.01 was used, press the SET button again to exit calibration mode. Otherwise, if a different buffer was used the meter will automatically return to normal mode.)
For a two-point calibration-place the electrode in pH 7.01 buffer. The meter will automatically recognize and display the buffer value.
When the pH tag stops blinking, press the SET button to store the first point.
The meter will then ask for the second buffer. Place the electrode in 4.01 buffer
When the buffer is recognized press the SET button to confirm and store the second point, the meter will then return to normal mode.

Note-If a solution with the wrong pH value is used as a buffer for calibration the LCD will display the Ec message


Hopefully that will get you where you need to be. I don't think we have the exact same meter but it should be very similar.
 
C

chronald mcdonald

Member
Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! You really cleared that up for me.

I'll be paying it forward :eyesmoke:

grobofotwanky said:
It reads, "Attention, remove cap and immerse the unit in MA9015 storage solution for 12 hours. If you do not have MA9015 storage solution you may use 4.01 Calibration liquid(enclosed)-Always store the unit in an upright position with MA9015 storage solution or 4.01 in the cap.

Calibration.Enter calibration mode by pressing the cal button. The pH tag will start blinking on the LCD. For single point calibration, place probe in any buffer solution, (4.01, 7.01, 10.01) The meter will automatically recognize and display the buffer value. when the pH tag stops blinking, press the SET button to confirm the calibration point(note- if 7.01 was used, press the SET button again to exit calibration mode. Otherwise, if a different buffer was used the meter will automatically return to normal mode.)
For a two-point calibration-place the electrode in pH 7.01 buffer. The meter will automatically recognize and display the buffer value.
When the pH tag stops blinking, press the SET button to store the first point.
The meter will then ask for the second buffer. Place the electrode in 4.01 buffer
When the buffer is recognized press the SET button to confirm and store the second point, the meter will then return to normal mode.

Note-If a solution with the wrong pH value is used as a buffer for calibration the LCD will display the Ec message


Hopefully that will get you where you need to be. I don't think we have the exact same meter but it should be very similar.
Click to expand...
 
I

Illegal Smile

Guest
I calibrate only to 7.0. It is true that if you do that and are testing pH in the 5s, you might be off by as much as .1. Big deal. We do not need to be concerned with .1 variations in pH. And the 7.0 calibration solution is fine for storage too. The fine detail might be important if you are doing testing where you need .1 precision, but for what we are doing it isn't.
 
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