3ppm checking ph

[Spidermite]

Do ph pens work on water with 3ppm? Testing with the pen the ph was all over the place. With the test kit from GH it was showing about 7. Does ppm affect the readings on ph pen?

[starramus]

Have you checked the pen in another water source. Check it in distilled water. Should be around 7. Or check it in 6.86 calibration solution. Since a TDS meter essentially measures electrical conductivity and a pH meter is essentially a voltmeter comparing the alkalinity or acidity of a known calibration solution to what you’re measuring I guess it could.

[9fingerleafs]

such a low ppm can not only give bad readings but it can harm some ph pens

[starramus]

if you drink it your hair will fall out too!

[9fingerleafs]

hahaha i know you are joking but indeed if you are used to drinking "hard" well or natural spring water, distillate water or RO could give you diarrhea and in some cases even hyponatremia if you do lots of exercise and drink too much low ppm water at once, gradually switching from hard to very very soft water can be done but will cause mineral deficiencies overtime if not supplemented elsewhere. bottled water is around 15-50 ppm and mostly sodium. this is the best and safest water to drink.