Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The tale of two ph pens

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    The tale of two ph pens

    I've been having a few issues with a couple plants and although I don't think this is the direct cause I thought I'd share this with yuns. So I decided to check the calibration on my ph pen. It's a cheap Amazon special. Allprettyall. I know right. But I've kept up with calibration and all since I got it so everything is good right? I decided to bring our rather expensive Apera from work as a litmus and calibrate both at the same time. This will be broken up into a few posts so the pics jive with the narrative. Drew water for the plants and let it set for a day at room temp as usual then did the test pre calibration. Now this is straight well water. Take note the extreme swings in pH on the cheap pen. Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20230127_163004537_HDR.jpg
Views:	408
Size:	1.68 MB
ID:	587081
    keeping it green with the soil thing
    love me some frosty autos
    braap
    BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
    Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
    the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
    blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

    #2
    Then I dosed it with pH up to what I believed was 6.5. all tests were a full 4 minute soak. Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20230127_163338006_HDR.jpg
Views:	376
Size:	1.62 MB
ID:	587083
    keeping it green with the soil thing
    love me some frosty autos
    braap
    BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
    Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
    the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
    blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

    Comment


      #3
      Next I did a full three point calibration to both with fresh unsealed test solutions of 7.0, 4.0 and 10.1. rechecked in 4.0 afterwards. Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_20230127_164845872_HDR.jpg Views:	0 Size:	1.89 MB ID:	587085 Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_20230127_164931916_HDR.jpg Views:	0 Size:	1.99 MB ID:	587086
      keeping it green with the soil thing
      love me some frosty autos
      braap
      BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
      Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
      the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
      blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

      Comment


        #4
        And back into the ph adjusted water. First soak for 4 minutes. The Apera was stabilized in about 30 seconds. The other was still slooooowly climbing after 4 minutes. Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20230127_165642420_HDR.jpg
Views:	348
Size:	1.78 MB
ID:	587088
        keeping it green with the soil thing
        love me some frosty autos
        braap
        BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
        Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
        the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
        blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

        Comment


          #5
          Let's wait 10 minutes and test again. Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20230127_170623138_HDR.jpg
Views:	374
Size:	1.89 MB
ID:	587090
          keeping it green with the soil thing
          love me some frosty autos
          braap
          BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
          Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
          the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
          blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

          Comment


            #6
            And one more time. Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20230127_171530436_HDR.jpg
Views:	371
Size:	1.78 MB
ID:	587092
            keeping it green with the soil thing
            love me some frosty autos
            braap
            BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
            Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
            the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
            blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

            Comment


              #7
              Conclusion....those cheap pens are trash. How can it read accurate in test solution only to be soo far off on water? Yeah that sumbitch is going straight in the trash.
              keeping it green with the soil thing
              love me some frosty autos
              braap
              BRAAPZAI https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...162-braaap-zai
              Mephisto run. yeah i know spellcheck https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...-memphisto-run
              the fruit basket https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...et-auto-runrun
              blue strawberries in a four assed galaxy https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...r-assed-galaxy

              Comment


              • changeofpace2014
                changeofpace2014 commented
                Editing a comment
                I have two Hannah ph meters both in the TRASH...Bought a 3rd one lol...Had same issue with them, and was kind of in a panic, the replacement ph meter came but the box was opened and it was broke...Further delay to get a working meter...When I was waiting on new ph meter i was setting my solution ph low, but with in range...I guess I got lucky or it was just GRACE the girls did not develop any major issues, mind you buy that time I was already adding the extra enzyme additive. There is no substitute for Quality Tools what ever they may be...

              • changeofpace2014
                changeofpace2014 commented
                Editing a comment
                Thought I should add this..Just cleaned my hannah ec meter with cleaning solution and proceeded to cal it..Battery at 80% but meter will not cal; it just through an err..Solution was to replace battery and it accepted the cal with out err.. Check Your Battery if your meter will not cal.. IMO Hannah is a good meter one of the top 3 but the cheapest of the three..Blue, Apera would be a much better option, I think they are built for real world gardening..bumps, bangs and drops..Hannah appears to be really fragile, even when careful.

              #8
              I went through the same thing over the years. Last bunch of rejects were PPM meters I sent back. I ordered two of them and they would not agree with each other. Water probes is another. Bought three and two read the same.

              Comment


                #9
                Ha, I did the same - used a crappy Amazon pen for the first year and had ton's of issues. Then I bought that exact Apera pen and never looked back.

                Comment


                  #10
                  I've done a similar test with a couple old pens also, and alongside some paper. I found it odd to be off after calibration aswell. I recently broke down and bought myself a BlueLabs pH meter. It is amazing. I love the little "check calibration" reminder after so many uses. It never really drifts much at all. They're only about $80 these days. A great investment indeed!
                  Back to playin in the dirt!
                  Currently growing 8 Scarlet Grape. Check it out here:
                  https://forum.growweedeasy.com/forum...dalone-journal
                  I do not currently partake. I grow for fun. Someday!

                  Comment


                    #11
                    Thanks for posting, gives me confidence in my Apera!

                    Comment


                      #12
                      Plus one ,
                      I had the same experience when I started . After two rough grows with the Amazon pen I bought a blue labs pen and tested both in a similar fashion with similar results.the cheap pens are not reliable.
                      thanks for showing everyone so clearly with your demo Going2fast
                      For those using PH and PPM meters sometimes the two pack can be the best deal. It’s defiantly worth it if your serious about growing weed easy .

                      Comment


                        #13
                        Howdy Going2fast, that is why I use the litmus test strips. The test strips are accurate enough, around 0.25, (the resolution of most pens, 0.01, is not needed for growing) and return a repeatable result. The test strips require no calibration, battery, or special storage, other than keeping them out of direct or bright light and dry. I use the LabRat brand that has a narrow range of 4.5 to 9.5 pH.
                        Good luck in your growing.
                        Smoke weed,.....grow peace!

                        Comment


                          #14
                          pH pens suck. The up keep and storage requirements make them a PITA for even the most OCD lab rat. How many times have I seen someone with plant issues that are traced to pH being off, and ultimately found that the pH pen was inaccurate.

                          I, an OCD lab rat, use these. Much easier, reliable, and all things considered, more accurate.


                          Don't worry, be happy, grow sticky buds.

                          Comment


                          • Blowdout2269
                            Blowdout2269 commented
                            Editing a comment
                            I use the same strips as a back up or when I'm lazy, lol.
                            I also use the ones that go down to 3.0 for my canning.

                          #15
                          I started out with the cheap one on the left. I am on tank water and it drifted all over the place....it then started giving me different readings, it's a POS! I then dropped it into the tank..good bye POS!
                          I then bought the same Apera as you Going2fast and it's made a world of difference.
                          I had a nute deficiency in veg and I upped the pH0.2, problem solved..couldn't do that without a good pen.
                          Lemon juice for -
                          Potassium Carbonate for +
                          Tank water varies from 5.5 up to 6.2 depending on stuff.
                          i calibrate every few weeks and it doesnt drift more than about 0.03pH
                          good article Going2fast
                          Click image for larger version

Name:	16749471845214327149391609041503.jpg
Views:	335
Size:	1.83 MB
ID:	587169
                          Grow Room: 11' x 7' x 7.5'H, 480w AC, 13gal/day dehumidifier, 1.5gal ultrasonic humidifier, 60gal (27gal usable) nute tank, 16" pedestal fan & 18" wall fan. Lighting, fertigation and climate automated
                          Lights: 2 x SF-7000, 5 x 30w 660&730nm supp. red boosters for flower
                          Medium: Coco/perlite, 13gal pots for photos, 7.2gal pots ¾ filled for autos, no drains
                          Current Grow: ​​​4 x Autos Franklin's AK47 x Red CBD, 2 x Autos Greenhouse Seeds Amsterdam Sweet Mango, 2 x Photos Franklin's Orange Zkittles x Sour Diesel. All feminised.
                          Last Grow: 4 x photos, old school, 66 days of veg flipped 25 Feb harvested day 65F 3lb11oz.
                          Previous Grow: Lots of big dead mouldy buds, medium and small buds made it, barely. Primarily indica traits from sativas.. Cured in glass jars.

                          Comment

                          Check out our new growing community forum! (still in beta)

                          Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter!

                          Working...
                          X