Storing your ph meter for hydro

[Formernuke]

I'm almost out of the storage solution for my meter. Do I have to buy more or can I just use distilled water?

 

[Tersky]

It should say on the instructions. If it doesnt then get a solution. Most advise against using distilled water as it can leach ions from the glass rendering the device "sluggish" but i dont know what exactly that means. This is what i use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWFI4B0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and i have this pen https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0096N8OWI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Toker1]

Do not used distilled water for meter storage. You can ruin the meter this way. The ions will leach from the bulb. You want KCI to store the meter in. Ph4 or ph7 buffer solution would be a suitable replacement. Not distilled or deionized water though.

 

[Eliot Pryor]

Well ok if you are going to store it. I use mine almost daily. I've never used a storage solution. I shake the excess off ,wipe it off on my shirt, put the cap on and lay it down till next time. I check it with GH 7.0 and 4.0 occasionally. After 6 years it still works.

 

[Toker1]

Some bulbs are designed to be wet internally. These types need no storage solution. As long as the bulb is wet, it’s all good. Other meters have a dry bulb, storing those dry (even for a small amount of time) will eventually render those types useless.

 

[smoorman]

I store mine in distilled water and it is sluggish. But it still works and reads calibration solution correctly. I can tolerate sluggish.

 

[Toker1]

Sluggish is fist sign, failure and readings that no longer represent true ph is the last sign.

 

[starramus]

My pH arsenal.

As you can see from the above pic I have been afflicted with what I call the "pH obsession". This may be decried as heresy, but once you know your local recipe that being the pH of your water source, and associated nutrients you need not OCD measure your waterings and feedings. The pH should not change unless you a include a new additive. One important point about storage is that you do replace the cap to the pH meters as exposure to air will dry out the ceramic wick of the electrode. If you are interested in the functioning of your pH pen this Grainger web page has some cogent information on electrode types, and their operation. https://www.grainger.com/know-how/equipment-information/kh-ph-electrode-types-uses

The new pens ( I have two) are superior to the old yellow pens as they have automatic calibration rather than utilizing the primitive jeweler's screwdriver. The calibration is performed automatically via electronic circuitry which I find more reliable. That is when I do allow myself a pH measurement. :youre-killin-me::youre-killin-me::youre-killin-me:

 

[starramus]

Formernuke

I'm almost out of the storage solution for my meter. Do I have to buy more or can I just use distilled water?

Since you are hydro have you considered a continuous measuring instrument? No storage solution required. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=continuously+measuring+pH+meter&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

[starramus]

Your user name strikes me as a curiosity. Might I ask the etymology of Formernuke?

 

[Formernuke]

I was nuke in the navy for a while.

I mix my nutes and top off water in a different location from the tent so a continuous monitor won't work.