Soil EC probe or test run off?

[RCJR]

I'm running synthetic nutes in promix hp (slight 48 hour dry backs between feedings). I'm thinking of using a soil ec probe instead of testing runoff numbers. Any of you have experience with a soil ec probe? Good? Bad? Accurate? Recommendations on a ec soil probe?

 

[Phytoplankton]

Promix is considered a soiless grow, so I would test the EC going in and the EC coming out (runoff). Most inexpensive soil probes (the two prong type on Amazon) are useless. There are some good soil probes out there, but they're pricey (Bluelab).

 

[marzig]

I'm running synthetic nutes in promix hp (slight 48 hour dry backs between feedings). I'm thinking of using a soil ec probe instead of testing runoff numbers. Any of you have experience with a soil ec probe? Good? Bad? Accurate? Recommendations on a ec soil probe?

I grow DWC and have no experience testing soil, I'm wondering if soil can even be tested for EC. I agree with previous poster about staying away from cheap meters. I just ordered a new PH/EC probe for my Apera PC60 and noticed they had various probes for testing PH in soil and flat surfaces but didn't notice them mentioning EC for soil.

 

[Billy the Mountain]

I'm running synthetic nutes in promix hp (slight 48 hour dry backs between feedings). I'm thinking of using a soil ec probe instead of testing runoff numbers. Any of you have experience with a soil ec probe? Good? Bad? Accurate? Recommendations on a ec soil probe?

Most people running hydro test runoff because it's more than "good enough" and can be done with a conventional pH meter or drops.
A reliable soil pH probe is $$$$ and the common two-pronged 3-in-1 meters are absolutely useless for pH measurements.

 

[marzig]

Most people running hydro test runoff because it's more than "good enough" and can be done with a conventional pH meter or drops.
A reliable soil pH probe is $$$$ and the common two-pronged 3-in-1 meters are absolutely useless for pH measurements.

Yes a good meter from Apera or Bluelab are expensive, but I've never regretted buying mine. In fact, I couldn't do without it.

 

[Billy the Mountain]

Yes a good meter from Apera or Bluelab are expensive, but I've never regretted buying mine. In fact, I couldn't do without it.

Agreed; I'm a satisfied Apera owner as well. In particular, I was referring to the price of the soil probes. The Apera soil probe alone is double the cost of the meter!

 

[marzig]

Agreed; I'm a satisfied Apera owner as well. In particular, I was referring to the price of the soil probes. The Apera soil probe alone is double the cost of the meter!

Wow, I just checked Amazon! I didn't even notice that because it wasn't the one I was looking for.