Any soil growers with a ph pen? Need some help...

My question is this: Does the ph of your run-off water change if you run it through a paper towel/coffee filter/kitchen towel?

I ask this because as soil growers know, the run-off is usually tinted, which can throw off the results if you are using the liquid drops/colored chart ph test. I ran my run-off through a paper towel and it came out clear, after which I did the ph test. But, I wanted to make sure that the ph did not change because of the paper towel/coffee filter, etc...

Anybody with a ph pen tested before/after filtration?

I will eventually get my own ph pen, but my wife isn't too keen on me buying anymore expensive toys for a while... Thanks for the help in advance!

I remember Stinky saying it is ok to strain it through a coffee filter.

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Originally Posted by LolaGal

I remember Stinky saying it is ok to strain it through a coffee filter.

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That's what I remembered too, just couldn't find the post. Thanks for the confirmation! :):thumbsup:

Paper towels are not designed to remove the micro-particles that alter your ph, and will not itself alter the ph. (unless the paper towels have been bleached by the manufacturer) Better than nothing...but not by much.
And as you know...any tinting skews color-coded results.

What was your before and after results, and was the liquid honestly clear? If so...what kind of paper towels are you using? (they might be bleaching the water, lol.)

Waterproof Testing Pens - Worth every penny

BTF,
For a few bucks this is what I use...I'm a cheap old fart...Check it out....HM Digital TDS-4 TDS Pocket-Size Meter..Do a search, and give yourself some peace of mind with this inexpensive unit...$19.98...

Peace,
Treetops :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rusty Trichome

What was your before and after results, and was the liquid honestly clear? If so...what kind of paper towels are you using? (they might be bleaching the water, lol.)

Waterproof Testing Pens - Worth every penny

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Thanks for the info Rusty :thumbsup:

I folded the paper towel twice, so the run-off went through 4 sheets and came out "clear" in my eyes, if there was a tint I sure couldn't see it. And the results were exactly the same also. It's hard to tell with those color comparison tests, I can't say anything for certain with these POS. I had some problems with one of my plants, but I'm doubting it was a ph problem now. I'll use a coffee filter if I have to do this again... hopefully not :) The brand of paper towels is Floralys "environmentally friendly", and doesn't say anything about bleach but who knows. (not sure if that was a serious question...kinda :stoned: )

Also thanks for the link Treetops. Looks like I'm going to Holland this summer, and I'll end up shopping around there looking for new supplies. I get really nervous if something is so inexpensive though, and in the end I always buy the one I should have from the beginning... live and learn :jointsmile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Treetops

BTF,
For a few bucks this is what I use...I'm a cheap old fart...Check it out....HM Digital TDS-4 TDS Pocket-Size Meter..Do a search, and give yourself some peace of mind with this inexpensive unit...$19.98...

Peace,
Treetops :thumbsup:

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same pen I used for my hydroponic grows, (dunno about soil tests) ... seemed to be very reliable, and accurate ... I occasionally tested it against the manufacturer's test solution, to be sure ... accuracy seemed to be very stable ... these cheap ones aren't waterproof, though ... drop it in the water, it's history :wtf: ... good, affordable product, for us cheap old farts :D :thumbsup:

I use the Milwaukee pH600 pen and it works great. It was about $32 where I bought it.:hippy:

This is why I don't like Finland...2 hydro shops for the entire country, and everything is so damn expensive! ph pen is 60â?¬. 40x magnifier is 34â?¬ (nicer than the radioshack one, but did the exact same thing)... Don't get me started on cfl prices, no Y splitters, no perlite, only pre-fert soils...


:angry3:

Sorry, but this shit drives me crazy sometimes :jointsmile:

Sounds like Milwaukee is the way to go (so far)... anyone else feel free to drop in with some input :)