help reading PH of nute water

[SoHigh420]

im using a ph control kit from general hydroponics.

when i add nutrients to the water it turns a dark brown and its hard to get an accurate reading.

its also very difficult when i try to measure the ph of my plants runoff.

dont have the money to buy an electric meter and i hear theyre not all that great anyway so i was hoping there would be another solution to my problem.

Thanks to anyone that can help me:jointsmile:

SoHigh420 Reviewed by SoHigh420 on 08-08-2010. help reading PH of nute water im using a ph control kit from general hydroponics. when i add nutrients to the water it turns a dark brown and its hard to get an accurate reading. its also very difficult when i try to measure the ph of my plants runoff. dont have the money to buy an electric meter and i hear theyre not all that great anyway so i was hoping there would be another solution to my problem. Thanks to anyone that can help me:jointsmile: Rating: 5

[GROWxMOREx420]

im using a ph control kit from general hydroponics.

when i add nutrients to the water it turns a dark brown and its hard to get an accurate reading.

its also very difficult when i try to measure the ph of my plants runoff.

dont have the money to buy an electric meter and i hear theyre not all that great anyway so i was hoping there would be another solution to my problem.

Thanks to anyone that can help me:jointsmile:

Buy a digital 4 in 1 soil tester off of Amazon. I got mine for $30 and it makes growing the plants almost too easy. Look for the KCB yellow one if you decide to go that route. It has a digital PH tester, Soil mosture reader, thermometer, and sunlight meter. It will help you find optimal conditions for your plants.... regardless of what others say.

Dark brown water doesn't sound good.... sounds like it might be too heavy of a compound. What nutes are you using and at what ratio?

[SoHigh420]

im using botanicare pure blend pro grow, bloom, and liquid karma.
the nutes themselves are very dark brown in color and of course diluted to a lighter shade when mixed with water. i only used 1/4 of the manufacturers recommended dose.(only fed them once and still burned them a little)


ill have to scrape together whatever i can to get the meter:jointsmile:

[GROWxMOREx420]

im using botanicare pure blend pro grow, bloom, and liquid karma.
the nutes themselves are very dark brown in color and of course diluted to a lighter shade when mixed with water. i only used 1/4 of the manufacturers recommended dose.(only fed them once and still burned them a little)


ill have to scrape together whatever i can to get the meter:jointsmile:

Those are great nutes to use, but it sounds like you are mixing them too high in small water ratios.

When you mix your nutrient solution, don't try and use 1/4 of the recommended nutrient solution per 1 gallon of water, you do it the other way around. If the label says 1 teaspoon of nutes per 1 gallon, mix 1 teaspoon of nutes into 4 gallons of water to help it dilute properly, then water with that solution every other watering.

[Ocotillo]

Buy a digital 4 in 1 soil tester off of Amazon. I got mine for $30 and it makes growing the plants almost too easy. Look for the KCB yellow one if you decide to go that route. It has a digital PH tester, Soil mosture reader, thermometer, and sunlight meter. It will help you find optimal conditions for your plants.... regardless of what others say.

I've found the analog test meters, the ones with those metal probes that get shoved into the soil, don't seem to work. One that still uses the soil probes yet has a digital display is not really considered a (quality) PH meter. When one hears "digital Ph meter", someone like myself is picturing a digital pH pen. The Milwaukee model is a fine one for a reasonable price of around $20:
Opentip.com: PH 600 PH Pen Milwaukee

It's tests the water, not the soil. You test the water going in and the runoff coming out. From the two you determine the soil Ph very acurately.

Those are great nutes to use, but it sounds like you are mixing them too high in small water ratios.

When you mix your nutrient solution, don't try and use 1/4 of the recommended nutrient solution per 1 gallon of water, you do it the other way around. If the label says 1 teaspoon of nutes per 1 gallon, mix 1 teaspoon of nutes into 4 gallons of water to help it dilute properly, then water with that solution every other watering.

I'm sorry but I disagree again, unless you are going to use 4 gallons of nutes all at once. You don't want to mix nutes with water and have them sit around for weeks. They can go stale and rotten. I don't see how they won't "dilute properly" if used at 1/4 dose..... How do the nutes know and why would they not dilute properly? Did they go on strike? Did the Union tell them they can't work????

[Ocotillo]

Is it possible to allow the colored water to sit for several hours. The sediments may settle so you can get some clear (or clearer) water to test. Just an idea.

im using a Ph control kit from general hydroponics.

when i add nutrients to the water it turns a dark brown and its hard to get an accurate reading.

its also very difficult when i try to measure the Ph of my plants runoff.

[GROWxMOREx420]

I've found the analog test meters, the ones with those metal probes that get shoved into the soil, don't seem to work. One that still uses the soil probes yet has a digital display is not really considered a (quality) PH meter. When one hears "digital Ph meter", someone like myself is picturing a digital pH pen. The Milwaukee model is a fine one for a reasonable price of around $20:
Opentip.com: PH 600 PH Pen Milwaukee

It's tests the water, not the soil. You test the water going in and the runoff coming out. From the two you determine the soil Ph very acurately.



I'm sorry but I disagree again, unless you are going to use 4 gallons of nutes all at once. You don't want to mix nutes with water and have them sit around for weeks. They can go stale and rotten. I don't see how they won't "dilute properly" if used at 1/4 dose..... How do the nutes know and why would they not dilute properly? Did they go on strike? Did the Union tell them they can't work????

That's fine. It is ok to agree to disagree, there is no harm in that. There is a million and a half ways to grow some good bud. It's all about finding your own style and comfort zone matched with quality standards.

I just follow the Cannabis Grow Bible. I do exactly what that book says and I have never have any serious issues. I am just passing those words....

[bluntar]

walmart...5$ ph test kit in the fish section....it comes with a little test tube, you fill it to the line and add 3 drops of solution that comes with it and the water changes color...match the color to the chart that comes with it and your done. one of my best purchaces for my grow. i had probe one and it was garbage. lemon juice for ph down is like $0.79

Walmart.com: Freshwater Master Test Kit: Fish

this is the fancy one, they do not sell the one i am talking about online i guess but you can get the idea from this.