Quality PH monitors

AN Addict 420

Active Member
Hello again, Ive recently switched back to hydro after having a go with soil growing and I really hate having to check my ph all the time because I feel like I have to verify my ph pen's results with the chemical ph solution because it is inconsistent. I would much rather be able to just walk into my room and glance at the current ph on a monitor. I was wondering if anyone out there has had any luck with ph monitors, and if so what brands seem to work the best for the money. I know monitors can be a little pricey but I am on a budget and wasnt looking to spend much more than $150.00 bucks. I really want this to work and I think i'm off to a much better start now then I was before but I absolutely need a ph meter of some kind and would much rather go with a ph monitor instead of another crappy pen (hanna hl 1270). Unless of course Advanced nutrients decides to get their heads out of their asses and release the PH/PPM perfect line already (they said it would be out "late summer"). Unfortunately that doesn't seem like its happening any time soon so for now I have to stick with current methods.

BTW I planned on making another post for this but I'll start it up here as well. Has anyone had any luck with using Advanced Nutrient's Mother Earth Super tea (MEST) grow or bloom as a standalone nutrient in hydro? I know it is supposed to be both an additive and a standalone. I would be interested in hearing how it worked as I planned on using it as a substitute for Pure blend Pro Grow in my girls' veg stage. I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
 

AN Addict 420

Active Member
Thank you, but I already know what they do. Notice the brand of the monitor you posted is a hanna and I'm having issues with my current hanna meter. Obvoiusly I would be skeptical about using them again. I was asking if anyone has actually used a monitor of their own and what they thought of it, not where to buy one. You see ,my current meter is not accurate, and I would like to find a ph monitor to replace it that has a good track record. If its a really bomb one I wouldn't mind spending a little more $$ Is there anyone who actually uses one?
 

tom__420

Well-Known Member
That last one you linked nodrama, is a great pH monitor. I have hear a lot of great things about it. The users cruzer101 and Earl are two growers that use that pinpoint monitor and love it
 

GroHi

Member
Just to offer a counterpoint... try the pH drops as once you get comfortable interpreting the color differences, they are without a doubt more accurate than most of the pens out there under $800 or so. Cheap, always reliable, simple. Gone through many different pH pens/electrodes & they vary between manufacturers (brand new & calibrated), how you measure, when you measure, the battery life, the electrode reference gel life, semi-permeable membrane clogging/breaking, etc, etc, etc. Peace.
 

AN Addict 420

Active Member
Hey Grohi, thanks for the tip. Ive been using the solution to make up for the meter's crappiness but I didn't really consider that it will probably be the most accurrate too, Great Idea I'm gunna keep using it I think.

By the way, I have a tip for anyone who is still looking at this thread. If you want a much better ph balance in your res. pick up some Fulvic acid. I already had some but never really thought to use it in hydro. Normally my ph swings around 1-3 points from 1 day to the next depending on the stage of growth but now its only going up by a litle less than 1 point per day in a 6 gallon res. not too shabby!
 

s0high

Well-Known Member
Ive used the pinpoint ph meter for awhile now. Rock solid! Its nice because if you get a hair up your ass you can order a $200 ph probe that will plug right into the pinpoint meter. Titanium tips that dont need cleaning, or a refillable probe so you dont ever have to buy a new one... ect.....
 

keeger123

Well-Known Member
nutradip trimeter seems to be workin awesome, easy to calibrate and use. uses probes to constantly monitor ph, ppm, and water temp... cost about 270 USD, well worth it cause who wants to dip pens all day!
 

Attachments

Actingbusy

Active Member
Ive purchased one off of Ebay.... similar looking to the Nutradip in the post above... Same color and all but directly from Gains Express <----- Ebay Store Name (Ships From China). I was regretting it at first when it arrived as it looked kinda cheaply made. Still cost me about 125 with shipping but much to my surprise, it has held a proper calibration for 6 months now even after being constantly immersed in nute solution. I checked the calibration weekly at first just because I was skeptical of the brand but it has worked and lasted longer than the initial $75 Milwaukee PH Pen I started off with that screwed up my first grow and well it monitors temp, PH, EC and PPM Conversions. Has a built in battery with a USB / AC Charge Adapter. Pic is attached.
 

Attachments

tom__420

Well-Known Member
Ive purchased one off of Ebay.... similar looking to the Nutradip in the post above... Same color and all but directly from Gains Express <----- Ebay Store Name (Ships From China). I was regretting it at first when it arrived as it looked kinda cheaply made. Still cost me about 125 with shipping but much to my surprise, it has held a proper calibration for 6 months now even after being constantly immersed in nute solution. I checked the calibration weekly at first just because I was skeptical of the brand but it has worked and lasted longer than the initial $75 Milwaukee PH Pen I started off with that screwed up my first grow and well it monitors temp, PH, EC and PPM Conversions. Has a built in battery with a USB / AC Charge Adapter. Pic is attached.
Nice find man, just to let you know... 77 degree reservoir temps are wayyy to high, you should never let it get above 70°F
 

Actingbusy

Active Member
Appreciate the input.... Had just done a cleaning of the temp sensor prior to taking that pic so it hadnt stabilized the reading. Res Temps usually hang around 69 degrees... A convenient number.... :-) but it works... I keep the reservoir outside of the Grow Lab Tent and my house temp is usually at 70..... with the highs inside of the tent at about 81....
 

tom__420

Well-Known Member
Oh alright I gotcha man, I just wanted to point that out so that nothing got fucked up
But if it is at 69°F than you should be good to go bongsmilie
 

Actingbusy

Active Member
Oh alright I gotcha man, I just wanted to point that out so that nothing got fucked up
But if it is at 69°F than you should be good to go bongsmilie
Yea I at one point had black DWC buckets in the tent and sure enough... 4 weeks into Flower, I got root rot on 3 out of 6..... A sad site to see but I learned from it and continue to learn as I go... :blsmoke:
 

datac99

Member
"Providing SIX different measurements, you will have all the information you need about your hydroponics system. This unit measures pH, EC, PPM, CDF, Celsius temperature and Farenheit temperature."

You gotta' give it up for marketing...
 
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