pHuked off with pH testing
- Thread starter Baz
- Start date
Cr8z13
Well-Known Member
You kind of get what you pay for. I spent about $160 on my tester, though it also tests temp, EC and PPM. If you're really concerned about pH, get this:
http://cheaphydroponics.com/store/imported-products/gh-ph-control-kit/prod_329.html
That's everything you need right there, and probably cheaper than what you paid for your digital meter(s).
However, I see a lot of people that use plain ol' tap water as you suggest and they have no complaints. I suppose it depends on how good your tap water is. Mine is fucking terrible, so I went with RO.
http://cheaphydroponics.com/store/imported-products/gh-ph-control-kit/prod_329.html
That's everything you need right there, and probably cheaper than what you paid for your digital meter(s).
However, I see a lot of people that use plain ol' tap water as you suggest and they have no complaints. I suppose it depends on how good your tap water is. Mine is fucking terrible, so I went with RO.
gangjababy
Well-Known Member
you can use a pH tester for pools with the red drops. They are pretty accurate and cost 5 bucks. I grow in soil and my plants are fine. People also use the tester with the red drops to make sure their digital meter is working properly.
Florida Girl
Well-Known Member
LOL.... do you always give up so easily????
When you tried to calibrate the meter.... did it read 7 when you set it in the 7 solution and 4 in the 4 solution? In other words... did it calibrate?
When you are taking water readings.... the meter has to sit for more then a minute (unlike in the reference solutions). When I PH my res., I let the meter sit for 15 minutes before I take the number displayed as the accurate PH. My meter doesn't "jump" around... but it does start at a number and slowly work up or down until it stabilizes. I expect your pen meter would be the same. Leave the tip in the water for 15 minutes.... see if you get a stable number when you come back.
gangjababy
Well-Known Member
Baz
Well-Known Member
Lol, nope it was jumping all over the place in the 7 and 4 solutions for some reason, and about half an hour after posting this post i tried again and it worked! i put it the 7 solution and adjusted it untill it read 7.0 then i put it in the 4 solution and it read 3.5, then i rinsed it off and stuck it in my tap water and it read 6.5, so i thought my probs were over! tried it once more and it went crazy again lol. So from the one reading the 6.5 tapwater should be ok? (if it was calibrated right) Im sending it back to ebay, and am going to just hope my tap water is 6.5!
gangjababy
Well-Known Member
like I've said buy a pH tester meant for the pool with the red drops to double check your tester...
Baz
Well-Known Member
ok thanks for help, ill look into this as soon as i get my refund bk lol
Rocky Top High
Well-Known Member
Listen to Ganjababy, what she is saying is right on the money. Don't EVER take your PH for granted. If you do, chances are you will be on here asking for help with your plant. Lots of variables can change your water.
Get a liquid tester and at least use that. Once your PH starts getting whacked, your grow can go to hell quickly. The biggest mistake I ever made when i first started growing was not testing my PH. Now, I ALWAYS test whatever solution I am adding to my plants...even water and moleasses!
You may get lucky with PH this grow but I promise, it will bite you in your ass sooner or later if you do not monitor it. Good luck!
Get a liquid tester and at least use that. Once your PH starts getting whacked, your grow can go to hell quickly. The biggest mistake I ever made when i first started growing was not testing my PH. Now, I ALWAYS test whatever solution I am adding to my plants...even water and moleasses!
You may get lucky with PH this grow but I promise, it will bite you in your ass sooner or later if you do not monitor it. Good luck!
gangjababy
Well-Known Member
gangjababy
Well-Known Member
yup any pet shop, walmart, home depot, lowes...
gangjababy
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure, I have never used an electronic meter.
LUDACRIS
New Member
all bottled spring/purified/natural water thats sold has a ph of 7.0(neutral) if its any help??????.
best to buy a test kit from a pet/fish shop you can usually buy kits that will give you up to 50 tests per 10$ kit.if your water is no good take yourself and your testing kit for a day out and find water that tests 6.5 to 7.0ph.i had to do this i dont believe in fucking about with ph adjustment tabs or vinegar/baking soda.just keep searching different water sources if you cant be bothered with this just use bottled mineral/spring water(this is 7.0ph).
best to buy a test kit from a pet/fish shop you can usually buy kits that will give you up to 50 tests per 10$ kit.if your water is no good take yourself and your testing kit for a day out and find water that tests 6.5 to 7.0ph.i had to do this i dont believe in fucking about with ph adjustment tabs or vinegar/baking soda.just keep searching different water sources if you cant be bothered with this just use bottled mineral/spring water(this is 7.0ph).