Best PH Measuring Devices?

[johnb1963]

Hello My Friends, I have been using the typical PH Pens, from Amazon, they range from $10 - $15, but they only last one grow, if i'm lucky. what are you guys using? I'd sure like to find a good reliable tool, that will last several years. PH is probably the most important part of growing, so would it be better to spend the $15, for every grow, or spend hundreds on one that may last years?

[RetiredGuy]

I have had good luck with the Apera PH20. Easy to calibrate. I am on my third grow with it.

[Rwise]

I like the Blue Labs combo meter +, it does set one back around $300, it is a pro tool.
I'll suggest you get the best your pocket can handle.

[RetiredGuy]

Not sure I agree with that, my Apera holds calibration and only costs 50 US$. Can almost buy a decent grow light with the savings over the blue lab.

[johnb1963]

Hi guys. Those two were my top two choices but the bluelab was the PH Pen for $75. Read pros and cons for both. Guess I'll flip a coin and try one.

[johnb1963]

Here's another question. How much fluctuation in PH do you think occurs in your tap water? I tested it every day for a week and it was within .2 every time. So I know when I add .5ml of PH down per gallon i am within .2 of 6.5PH So do I even need a tester lol.

[RetiredGuy]

Unless you are growing in living soil, you need a reliable pH pen to adjust pH after adding nutes and to check run off pH even with constant pH tap water.

[Obi-Wan]

I’m going on year 6 with my Blue Lab pH and EC pens. With proper care and handling they hold up well and are worth the money. I can’t speak to other brands because these are the 1st and only pen’s I’ve had to buy.

[kingfish]

I use Litmus paper. Been working for me for 12 years.

[DW2]

Howdy johnb1963, I agree with kingfish and have been using the litmus test strips for all of my grows. The test strips are accurate enough, require no batteries, or calibrations, or special handling and storage (just keep them out of direct light (sun or grow)). Oh, did I forget to mention they are also self-compensating for temperature as well! The only problem with using the litmus test strips is when I forget to order more! LOL!!!

[Cali]

Yup back then I used the drops and strips to check ph I believe yellow was the perfect ph for soil or hydro can’t remember anymore. I think Nebula mentioned I’m one of her tutorials that if you know what the water does after you add your nutes and ph up or down then you can go with out testing ph because you know your system but if things go south you have to trust that the ph is good. For that a quick strip check won’t cost much and works perfect in my opinion. Nothing to break.

[crazyplanet]

A good tool improves accuracy and lasts longer.

[hairyman]

I just use General Hydroponics PH Test Kit and then double check with paper test strips. I had a PH meter,a cheap one, and I got what I paid for. I would say that if you think you need one get a good one.

[SwitchH2O]

The absolute best PH pen available is from Blulab. I have both the PH and EC pens and they've lasted for several grows with very minimum to no calibration required. They're expensive but will last you for a long time, and will provide you with absolute accuracy. I've used others and they don't last, I was tired of buying and recalibrating cheap ones.

SwitchH2O
_______________________________
4’x4’x8’ frame built grow room
Spider Farmer SE3000
4” Vivosun powered intake
8” Vivosun outtake with 8” Filter
RDWC (Recirculating Deep Water Culture System)
Rockwool starter with clay pellet medium
Combination of Remo, Advanced Nutrients and a proprietary blend.
2nd last grow - 19.98% THC
Last grow - 22.23% THC

CURRENTLY GROWING
White Tahoe Cookies - 3rd week of flowering

[SwitchH2O]

Johnb1963...Keep in mind I use the Bluelab pens on a RDWC system, so it's imperative to check PH every day and adjust the RDWC water accordingly. If you're growing in ground and using it to measure "tap water", well that's a different beast.
Your PH should be dialled in at 5.8 during the vegetative stage and 6.0 during flowering. The science behind this is for another thread..., but just remember it's all about nutrient uptake.

SwitchH2O
_______________________________
4’x4’x8’ frame built grow room
Spider Farmer SE3000
4” Vivosun powered intake
8” Vivosun outtake with 8” Filter
RDWC (Recirculating Deep Water Culture System)
Rockwool starter with clay pellet medium
Combination of Remo, Advanced Nutrients and a proprietary blend.
2nd last grow - 19.98% THC
Last grow - 22.23% THC

CURRENTLY GROWING
White Tahoe Cookies - 3rd week of flowering