Ph meter issue hinders plants

[Ckbrew]

Anyone use a ph meter like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5IASHD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just wondering how often it should be calibrated. It was calibrated 7 days ago and used 3 times for mixing nutrient solution. When reviewing my logs for nutrient solutions, I noticed that my required ph down volume was slowly increasing over 7 days, with no change in other added quantities of nutrients. Checked calibration and it was off by almost one unit (giving a reading of 6.01, after calibration 5.2). Now I am nursing them back to health. Besides correcting the ph anything else that can be done for the plants?

[PLreef]

I calibrate mine every couple weeks. Maybe 4 at the most. I had one similar a year or so ago and it would go out of whack quickly. Now I use a bluelab meter and I trust it considerably more.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005POOJHG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_glc_i_04D35V93JPQDDFRFGF8G

[Rik]

I used to like pH meters. I had a very nice one that I spent $80 on. I calibrated it very carefully and took awesome care of it. Thing still gave me readings all over the place. I’m afraid what a much cheaper one like what you linked to would do. I recommend just using the General Hydroponics pH test kit with the green liquid and the color chart.

[9fingerleafs]

Hydrion paper ph strips

[Puglover1]

Are they easy to read/compare? I have 10-parameter urine test strips for my pug with a rare disease, they don't seem very consistent. I did use them in a pinch when my cheapo pH meter quit working early.

[9fingerleafs]

They are. I like the 1 to 12 range

[Puglover1]

I had one like yours, didn't last through one harvest. I bought this one to get me through to the finish. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[dustydundee]

I used to use those. Had a real reliable one, but then I dropped it in water. the next several of those I bought were crap. Posted here for suggestions:

https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum/growing-community/491412-what-ph-meter-do-you-use#post492001

someone recommended this guy:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0EYJ0Y2P87CDSGXBS8QS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I got that one, been using it for about a month. love it, great meter.

[RetiredGuy]

I also have an Apera which has gotten me thru 2 grows without issues.

[Rwise]

I started with an elcheapo PH meter, when it let me down I dropped a bit over $300 for a bluelabs combo plus. And the fluids needed to keep it in good shape.

[gbauto]

And the fluids needed to keep it in good shape.

^^^ THIS
Using a storage solution is the ONLY way to keep a bulb-type meter viable.

https://bluelab.com/usa/bluelab-ph-probe-kcl-storage-solution-100ml

When you don't keep the bulb immersed in a kcl solution, it will drift.

[Cali]

Wow PH pens? I tried them and hated them so I just used the GH ph drops. Then I realized I can be growing without the drops or pen and never looked back. Seriously it’s a waste of money. Even if you buy the best out there it can break then what? Humans always trying to reinvent the wheel lol.