pH: Drop testers?

[lemonboy]

Is the GH drop tester an effective way of measuring pH? I realize it isn't near as accurate as a digital system. I just wonder if for the hobbyist... keeping the pH between "yellow and yellow-green" is a worth-while approach. Just looking for opinions. Thanks.

lemonboy Reviewed by lemonboy on 10-30-2005. pH: Drop testers? Is the GH drop tester an effective way of measuring pH? I realize it isn't near as accurate as a digital system. I just wonder if for the hobbyist... keeping the pH between "yellow and yellow-green" is a worth-while approach. Just looking for opinions. Thanks. Rating: 5

[LOC NAR1958]

My first grow I used the drops and did just fine. It's better than nothing. If you know someone with a meter you can tune in closer. My brother was going to hydro and wasn't going to check at all with drops. His PH was 7.5 and about dead . I tuned him in with my meter but I bet he still doesn't check, he is a soil man. His stuff always taste better, yea right. This year mine was sweet and his tasted like dirt and nutes. As long as you try to keep it close you will do alright. How about your EC, or PPM's ? How do you manage them ? If you go by the GH chart in the FAQ's page you can do good without a meter. I had a couple cheap meters that quit on me, now I have a Hanna that does temp,PPM,EC and PH. It's great and was a little over 150 bucks. If you get a meter don't forget the calibration solutions to check it. they can get out of cal too.

[lemonboy]

Yeah, I really want one of those nice meters with a probe that measures ph/PPM/temp from one unit but I'll need to put some more cash in the bank first. I'm just information gathering. Thanks for the help.

[Stormcooker]

I think the pH drop meters are crap. THey are meant to test the PH of clear liquids and hydro nutrient mixes are not always clear, especially GH FloraNova with Floralicous Plus or Floraliscous grow/bloom. LOts of organic supplements are dark in color too. It's hard to get a clear reading when the color of your liquid sample is already yellow or orange or light brown. It's hard to tell which way your pH is going too.
I highly recomend a product that I use.....It is a pH monitor. Cost is $90 US made by American Marine. It uses a probe that remains in your resevoir at all times and gives you a constant reading. It is accurate to the 100th of a degree of pH (7.00). It comes with calibration fluid, but a one-time use amount. I suggest getting a small bottle of calibration fluid to go with it.
My probe is always in the rez, and it is attatched by a long wire to a remote digital readout that is outside the grow space, so I can check up on it lights on or off. It is total peace of mind, and a valuable resource. I like to keep my pH between 5.7-5.9 during veg and 5.9-6.1 during flower. This is what I believe to be the best condition for nutrient uptake for the two different cycles.
Do a search for "American Marine pH monitor" on google or something and you will find a few places that sell them.

[lemonboy]

Yeah, I had read about that. I really don't see color being an issue at this point though. Organics are of interest to me too so it would in the future. Thanks for the equipment recommendation. That sounds like a great price, too.

[Garden Knowm]

dropper is fine... cooker has a good point about the colored nuts... but with GH 3 - micro, bloom, grow - the GH dropper ph system is easy, accurate..

beginners should start with the dropper and everyone should keep a dropper tester around as back up and double check method..

LEMON BOY you can grow great plants usin the dropper..

: )

[oldsanclem]

Having grown for a few decades and had it to do all over. The first thing I would buy are real good meters.
With hydor you out for the max output for the bitches. I would guess that it would take about one crop to pay for a good meter by maximizing the potential of the plants. (if you only had 2-3 plants)
2 filtering system with good flow into the space.
3 good ferts made for pot plants Its about 1% of growing cost
Not much has changed over 30 years of growing.
With the exception of people getting screw, by B.S. sales of B.S. POT lighting systems.
It all gets down to Grams per Watt per Month
1000 bulb producing 1000 grams in 2 months = .5 grams per watt.
Thats the bottom line, no more , no less.
From florsent sticks to hid light, its all about tweeking to the max output.