First time grower here. Most of the little knowledge i have is from this site. Thanks to all. Ive been very lucky with the grows im in now it seems. I keep seeing things like checking PH levels in wayer and soil. Checking PPM’s and EC. Is there one tool/meter that does all of this? I need some recommendations please.
Id also like to see and detailed acticle about using these tools and what to do and not to do. He’s a few pics of what im in the middle of now. Opinions are welcomed.
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Apera and Blue Lab are top level, both have dual pens.
I had no issues with coco and jacks my first 2 grows ever with no testing. None
Drought ended with about 9 inches rain in several months, our well, deep well, changed Ph. Enough that 2 of 3 seedlings mutated growth from the start. Bought new apera Ph pen. Everything on track again.
Dialing Ph to 5.8 caused my plants to frost sooner and more than the other 2 grows. Now working on ppm/EC pen. Dialing it in.
Welcome to the community grommie.
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What are you growing in
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I just checked out the Apera dual pen and it’s kind of eye-poppingly expensive. I have their 20 line - one for ph, and one for ppm, and both together cost less than that one. They are really good instruments and have served me very well.
If money is no object, go for the dual pen. Otherwise, try the two in the “value” line.
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Your plants look very happy and healthy from what I can see in those photos. I have a friend who’s in his 4th grow and this is the first time he’s tested, because one of his plants is not doing well. From what he was telling me, I told him I thought it was pH related, and it turns out that was the problem. His well water had crept up to over 7, which is going to make cannabis unhappy.
Except for his 7 other plants, of course.
I tend to have complaining plants, who fuss if things are the slightest bit out of kilter.
Ive got promix for the 2 big plants. Fox Farm ocean forest for the 2 smaller plants.
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Thanks for the info and compliments. They are much appreciated. My house has city water, no telling whay the PH is.
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Thanks, im gonna look into these.
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Have been asking about uvb uva lights snd such, side bar lights for encouraging more frost. Grass is always greener…
Just correcting Ph to desired level brought frost faster than the previous 2 grows.
As for the cost of anything related to your grow. Your grow is only as good as the weakiest link.
Crappy light, cheap Ph tester that dont hold calibration very long. Dli meter not being calibrated. Its as good as the weakiest link.
My cheap two Ph testers were off 
bad.
Bad genetics.
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Thats the new vivosun clear tent. You can see in without opening it. 
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What did you buy to correct the problem?
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Should have gotten combo. I also bought the cheapo set. I used the others buffers to test my apera on, it passed with flying colors. The cheapo, i used apera buffers to test it after calibration.
Did good. I like the cheapo ec/ppm pen. Not into runoff numbers, just ppm I’m feeding each time. Ball park numbers each time i feed,
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Funny guy. LOL
I bought my tent used. When i got it home i realized it smelled like cigarette smoke really bad. Im in the process of taking care of that. When the smell is all gone Im gonna set it up.
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Thanks man. Appreciate the info.
This is why i love this community. So many nice people willing to help.
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Im with you on that. Cigarette smoke smell is bad.
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Yea cig smoke is bad, unfortunately its one of my nasty habits. I do t smoke in my house though, and if im on a job site i never smoke inside a building even if the guys inside are smoking. I try to be as respectful as possible. Its a habit ive tried breaking multiple times, but unfortunately i always go back.
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Those pens are workhorses. Once I got mine calibrated, it behaved throughout the grow. I recalibrate occasionally just to be sure I’m good. Just don’t drop it - the glass bulb can break if it lands tip down.
I tend to hang onto mine with a death grip. 
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