Ph meter storage solution, too much?
- Thread starter DrDukePHD
- Start date
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
Not to the meter
DrDukePHD
Well-Known Member
Cool, the instructions say to moisten sponge in cap & that "you CAN pour out excess solution". It didn't specify wether or not excess was a problem. So I loaded that beeyotch up, Thanks!
LeastExpectedGrower
Well-Known Member
I usually put about 4-5 drops in the little reservoir in the Bluelab meter. I don't let the little sponge ever dry out but the bit that fits around the bulb seems to seal, so you don't need too much more than that.
DrDukePHD
Well-Known Member
Hey have you ever PH'd Walmart distilled water, I'm getting 5.4ph, that sound right?
Attempting to see if my PH meter is accurate.
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
You cannot reliably measure the pH of distilled or RO water (even if you could it would be irrelevant)
It's 7.0 by definition
You can buy calibrated pH solution for checking your meter
It's 7.0 by definition
You can buy calibrated pH solution for checking your meter
waterproof808
Well-Known Member
Bluelab specifically warns users not to measure distilled or RO as it can damage their meter.
DrDukePHD
Well-Known Member
HM said to mix 100ml distilled water with the 7.0 solution for calibration. It also said rinse meter with distilled after using. I calibrated, so I'm hoping it works. I got an HM 80s
Treesomewanted77
Well-Known Member
Those meters aren’t that accurate so best to have some calibration solution and I wouldn’t add anything with the solutions. I use them right out the bottle or package as stated. I have 3 blue labs and my most expensive one is off by 3 points compared to my 2 blue labs pens.
I started with an HM and it worked for awhile but then was all over the place. You can get a good Hanna meter for 35 bucks they are worth every penny.
Solutions made from powder don't last long, I'd buy liquid calibration buffer(s).
I doubt rinsing with distilled is much of an issue if it's in storage solution right after that. I don't use distilled. I've rinsed with RO for years, but never leave probes in RO or distilled, it leaches ions from the solution in the probe.
Last edited:
DrDukePHD
Well-Known Member
Ok I'll buy a Hanna when this one goes. Got a link to the model you're talking about? Thanks!
Treesomewanted77
Well-Known Member
It went up to 39 bucks. It was on sale in their dank deals section.
Hanna Instruments Red Checker pH Tester with Replaceable Electrode
The HI98103 Checker is the next generation of the original Hanna Checker pH tester. The Checker is the most popular pH meter in the world with over 1 million meters used since its introduction in 1991. From gardeners to researchers, the Checker has been helping people with their pH measurement...
growgreenmi.com
MissinThe90’sStrains
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Apera. I have the Ph20 model and it’s one of the better meters I’ve had. I paid $50, and it came with a solid carrying case, and storage/calibration solutions.
lusidghost
Well-Known Member
LeastExpectedGrower
Well-Known Member
Yeah the Apera would be my option after Bluelab. My only issue with the BL is that its SLOW...mine takes minutes to get down to the 4.8 or so my feed is before I start adjusting it. Seems accurate though.
I wouldn't mess with the powdered solutions... I used the bottled stuff:
Distilled water is problematic for me. It doesn't have any 'chemistry' for a pH meter to latch onto and it also lacks oxygen from the distillation process. It should read 7 if you could get your meter to actually read it right. Also, the pH alters once oxygen dissolves in the water which changes the pH...so who knows how it was bottled and if that little bit of air in the bottle also changes it (not to mention pouring it out of the bottle and using it.
I wouldn't mess with the powdered solutions... I used the bottled stuff:
Distilled water is problematic for me. It doesn't have any 'chemistry' for a pH meter to latch onto and it also lacks oxygen from the distillation process. It should read 7 if you could get your meter to actually read it right. Also, the pH alters once oxygen dissolves in the water which changes the pH...so who knows how it was bottled and if that little bit of air in the bottle also changes it (not to mention pouring it out of the bottle and using it.
lusidghost
Well-Known Member
I had two Bluelab pens leak into the screen in the past year and they wanted me to send it in to be inspected before sending me a replacement. So I bought an Apera.
Last edited:
LeastExpectedGrower
Well-Known Member
My current bluelab pen has been in use maybe a year without any issues, I used super cheap ones before that. I must have just gotten a decent BL unit, because I haven't been especially careful with it (but also haven't submerged it or anything) and it's been fine. Seems to want calibration once every month to month and a half or so.
The feedback on the Apera is good and it has the bonus of replaceable tips so you don't have to throw out the whole unit, which is nice. I'm not terribly attached in any direction on the topic...I'll use the Bluelab until it doesn't work, then try the Apera and see which I like best.
lusidghost
Well-Known Member
I had my first BL pen for over 5 years without a problem. I'm not sure if I was just extremely unlucky or they have dropped in quality, but the customer support lady was rude and I didn't want to go a week+ without a pen.
Treesomewanted77
Well-Known Member
I have 2 BL pens and a guardian system and the pens are awesome but my guardian is off by 3 points for some reason and I’m not buying a new probe so I just figure for the 3 points but that’s the only issue I’ve had with BL but other than the HM I started with these are the only ones I have to compare to but a buddy has Hanna and it’s worked good for the price. I will try something new if my BL ever goes out. So far I’m 3-4 years with the pen and no issues