That’s up to you my experience has been fine. Many paths to the same destination. As I don’t water to run off and doing slurry for 16 plus containers would be too time consuming I find the soil PH meter I have to be reliable and accurate for me anyway.
1 Like
I use a Blue Labs soil pH pen and I use an Extech pH probe which can do contact readings but I don’t use it that way.
Both were expensive (well over $100 each) but worth every cent. They both hold calibration very well. They both have replaceable probes which are also expensive but one hell of a lot cheaper than replacing the units.
4 Likes
I want one of those Blue Lab soil pens. So expensive, though!
1 Like
Yes, it hurt a little bit but very handy to have. The glass probe is long and fairly delicate so I must be careful when using it. It is also critical to keep it clean and soaking in the correct buffer solution between uses.
2 Likes
Yes, the powders are a pain, because you need to mix them with ro water. The liquids are more convenient, but they have short shelf lives, once opened.
The good thing, with better meters, you don’t have to calibrate as often.
2 Likes
I mixed my calibration powders up once and calibrated my pen the I left then mixed powder and ro water in Solo cups for two weeks and I mixed new powder to calibrate “I do this bi-weekly” I checked the new mix with the two week old mix and it still was reading perfect lol
1 Like
Great idea, I will be using this. The only thing I have used is strips, so I’m excited about my little $18 ph pen lol.
Y’all may want to " trade " someone that pot yer growing for some better quality equipment? Seems somenof us keep smoking all the profit?
1 Like
I wouldn’t trust it though just thought, hmmm maybe I could save money by doing two calibrations with same mix but the stuff is cheap so I decided against lol
I use the apera ph-60. Reliable, backlit and replaceable probe.
https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia?gclid=Cj0KCQiAt_PuBRDcARIsAMNlBdr4YeQPf1UjDn8IoRmIaENIXn_7ZY2JBq845EOmI7VUpjeYzHDe7lgaAhOcEALw_wcB&hvadid=327882436054&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003089&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=122738349341961898&hvtargid=kwd-470331061616&hydadcr=20193_9561811&keywords=apera+instruments+ph60&pd_rd_i=B01ENFOIQE&pd_rd_r=75014d89-7633-48a0-9ada-2edd1fa92354&pd_rd_w=uZ1zN&pd_rd_wg=3UgzG&pf_rd_p=1cb3f32a-ccfd-479b-8a13-b22f56c942c6&pf_rd_r=AT30B2DEFS36MGAY6F2W&psc=1&qid=1574808582
For tds/ppm I have the Hm- com100
2 Likes
Well, @BobbyDigital you brought up slurry test and you know I’m a begginer so now you have to explain to me how to do it lol I appreciate all the info by everyone on this site, I almost gave up on forums because it seemed like I was being picked on
Take approx 1 tbs soil from around the root area, (not the top). Add to 2-3 oz distilled or RO water. Mix well. Let sit for 15-20 min.
Then test for pH.
This is about as accurate as you can get for your soil pH with simple tools.
2 Likes
I’m in! Last question, when is the best time to do this? I just fed today so should I wait just before my next feeding or do it after feeding
I’d give it 2-3 days.
1 Like