good brand of digital pH testers

[michaelpeg]

I know i have heard from stinky somewhere that Hanna's meters are of low quality so what are the good brands? and Stinky which meter do you use?

[daihashi]

I use an oakton. Works great for me.

[michaelpeg]

how much did you pay for it? can you test soil directly with it or do you have to mix it with water?

[daihashi]

No, I measure the soil run off. I don't think you're going to find a pen type ph meter you can just stick in the soil and get a good measurement with.

I paid $60 for it locally. You can probably find it cheaper online.

[michaelpeg]

shit, so whenever people are talking about their soil pH they are just talking about their runoff? i was hoping for a meter i could go around stabbing into soil bags at the local stores to know the pH of the soil before i buy it.

[daihashi]

shit, so whenever people are talking about their soil pH they are just talking about their runoff? i was hoping for a meter i could go around stabbing into soil bags at the local stores to know the pH of the soil before i buy it.

They do make probes you can stick in the soil but they're ridiculously expensive in comparison to a ph pen you can just test the runoff water with.

[michaelpeg]

yeah i guess i will have to live with testing the runoff...
thanks man

[hanayama]

just some examples....

Sunleaves Soil pH Tester - Worm's Way (http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=SSPT500)
Sunleaves Soil pH Tester - Worm's


Electronic Soil Tester - Worm's Way (http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=EST500)
Electronic Soil Tester - Worm's Way

dont know how well they work...but there are cheap ones out there
maybe get a pen and the cheap probe( i think thats what im going to do next grow)

[daihashi]

just some examples....

Sunleaves Soil pH Tester - Worm's Way (http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=SSPT500)
Sunleaves Soil pH Tester - Worm's


Electronic Soil Tester - Worm's Way (http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=EST500)
Electronic Soil Tester - Worm's Way

dont know how well they work...but there are cheap ones out there
maybe get a pen and the cheap probe( i think thats what im going to do next grow)

I've tried 2 similar products, same styles but different manufactuers. They work like crap don't even waste your time. The meters/needles never seem to move.

[gainesvillegreen]

Just like daihashi said, those meters are not worth anything.

[Rusty Trichome]

Discount Hydroponics - Waterproof Testing Pens (http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=405&navid=13) $60.00
Has worked fine for me so far. (couple of months)

[the image reaper]

I'm satisfied with this one: Milwaukee pH600 pH Tester, pH 600 (http://www.eseasongear.com/ph600.html)

I've bought a couple of items from this eBay store, fast delivery, etc ... READ the instructions with your pen, notice you are not to allow the tip to dry out, etc ... calibrated mine upon arrival, it was already right on the money ... :thumbsup:

[stinkyattic]

I've heard good things about the durability of Milwaukee.
For my growing, I use a GH liquid test kit. At the lab where someone else pays for my toys, I run an Accumet with Orion single electrode, and an Orion with dual Beckman electrodes. Orion makes some SWEET lab-grade equipment that is probably overkill fo y'alls but I really like it.
My buddy loves his Truncheons as another product that is both durable and accurate at the ionic strength that growers typically see.
Hannas are cheaply made and prone to early failure.

The reason that you should always measure RUNOFF, and not just stick the probe in the soil, is that reading accurate pH is dependent upon the presence of an aqueous solution in which these testers can get a measure of the concentration and activity of H+ ions.

[the image reaper]

" The reason that you should always measure RUNOFF, and not just stick the probe in the soil, is that reading accurate pH is dependent upon the presence of an aqueous solution in which these testers can get a measure of the concentration and activity of H+ ions. " ...

that means it works better when it's wet :S2: (hiya, cutie ;) )

[stinkyattic]

that means it works better when it's wet I've heard that about some other useful tool but can't offhand remember what it was in reference too ;)

[SnSstealth]

LOL...your a trip stinky;). thanks for the info on testing soil....should i test the first bit of water runoff? or the last?
WT