Do i Really Need the Meters???

[abefroman35]

i mean could i not just watch the baby girls very closely and do everything gradually?

and not worry about PPM, EC, PH, Temp, Humidity?

which are the MOST important?

again, do you not think i can just watch it and just give it water from day one?

or does my water even need to be balanced?

oh and by the way this is a DWC.

 

[Big P]

dude you must have ppm meter at the very least


get this one its cheap and works great

HANNA Primo TDS / ppm Tester
Item# Han-PRIMO
Regular price: $24.99
Sale price: $16.99, 2/$32.00, 5/$76.00







HANNA Instruments Primo Pocket TDS Tester, Meter

*** use coupon code "freeshipping" at check out if your total order is <$18.95 ***

One free 20ml 1382 ppm TDS calibration solution and two extra free batteries included.

* High accuracy * Exceptional linearity over the entire range * Automatic calibration with the press of a button

The Primo provides a fast and dependable way to measure the Total Dissolved Solids level in your water samples. It is ideally suited for the rigorous demands of water quality professionals, who will appreciate the practicality of the Primos easy-to-read Liquid Crystal Display when demonstrating the before and after results of conditioning and filtration systems. Temperature is compensated automatically to ensure the readings are consistent to the standard or reference temperature. Operating and routine maintenance has never been easier. The Primo TDS uses a single button at the top of the meter. Press it once and the meter is powered and ready for use. Press and hold the button for a few seconds and the Primo automatically enters calibration mode. Simply open a sachet of the calibration solution, dip the probe and within seconds, the meter recognizes the calibration solution and calibrates itself!

Primo is supplied complete with batteries and instructions.

Specifications:

Range 1999 ppm (mg/L) Resolution 1 ppm (mg/L) Accuracy (@20°C/68°F) ±2% Full Scale pH Calibration Automatic at 1382 ppm Temp. Compensation Automatic, from 0 to 60°C (32 to 140°F) Battery Type / Life 2 x 1.4V, 200 hours of continuous use Environment 0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F); RH 90% Dimensions 180 x 50 x 25mm (7 x 2 x 1") Weight 80 g (2.9 oz.)

<<< Due to the size and weight of the item's box, it will not be included for the First Class Mail. The boxes will be included for the Priority Mail or the order of 5 or more. >>>

 

[wiseguy316]

ph is more important than ppm..just follow the directions on the botlle. you need a ph meter for dwc.

 

[wiseguy316]

i can not recommend that meter either i went thru 4 of them before i bought a decent one. Which cost me me more than the good 1.

 

[Xv7vX]

Temp and humidity combo sensors can be bought at Wal Mart for under $20.

PH is very important. If you dont want a meter you at least need testing solution.
http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-pH-Test-Kit/dp/B000BT32UA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1275018753&sr=8-1

 

[wiseguy316]

hm digital makes a good quality ph meter for a decent price. it's about 60 bucks

 

[ImTheFireMan]

ya get the ph, thats the most important.

 

[wiseguy316]

temp will kill ya also,,just read that,,have to keep it cool in dwc

 

[abefroman35]

temp will kill ya also,,just read that,,have to keep it cool in dwc

really?! damnit! i question my temperature inside this house... because im going to have reflective insulated material, and basically around 200 (actual) watts with cfls, and they are VERYYY CLOSE! especially when the buds will begin to grow -- which is good... but it can also be BAD! i think??? what do people think?

 

[Big P]

i can not recommend that meter either i went thru 4 of them before i bought a decent one. Which cost me me more than the good 1.

those meters work fine had mine for years

 

[ow.douglas]

I use a combo temp and RH from Walmart, I think that it was under $10. I use the GH drop kit for pH I think that it was $7 and that's all I use. I'm a cheap bastard but, it works.

 

[Arrid]

The need for each is shown below from greatest importance to least.

Temperature, humidity, PH, ppm and EC are pretty much the same thing.

If your temperatures fluctuate or become too high (or low) it will stress your plant out.

This can cause it to stretch (even if the light is close to the plant.)

It can also cause your plant to hermie.

Both of which we do not want!

Too much humidity during flowering and you could get mould on your buds. (although this is rare it's worth noting)

Taken from another website on EC meters :
"An EC meter has fewer applications for a soil grower because many organic nutrients are not electrically charged or are inert. Things like Superthrive or Fish Emulsion, blood meal, rock phosphate or green sand cannot be measured with a meter reliably when they are applied or in runoff. Meters can only measure electrically charged salts in solution."

 

[wiseguy316]

you don't want your res temp over 72 in dwc. cfl aren't too bad but they create plenty of heat.

 

[sven deisel]

you need a ph meter more than anything and it has to be digital the drops kits wont work for dro being they work by colors and i dont know of any nutes that arent colored. as far as tds i run my chem line so hot a meter cant even read it it just errors out. but as a rule of thumb in dro you realy only need 1/2 strength being the food is being brought to the roots instead of them searching for it. and if you realy need someting to tell you its hot just stick to buying your weed cause your already going to fail

 

[JeffersonBud]

You can get away without having a meter. However, we are always searching for optimum conditions, reservoir control being one of the most important factors. A ph and EC/ppm meter will cut the guesswork out of your nutrient solution. Not only will you have complete control in reading ph, which is VERY important, but know when your plants are feeding with a drop in EC/ppm.

When buying a meter, keep the probe wet at all times with plain tap water. Handle your meters carefully because they are delicate pieces of equipment. Clean them regularly to avoid bacteria buildup (you can do this by using plain dish soap, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide).

Hanna, Milwaukee, and Nutra drip all make awesome meters. I own a Nurta Drip tri meter and a Milwaukee tri meter. Both can be had for around $160.00 and offer great quality and complete control.

In dwc, water temp is important to keep bacteria growth to a minimum. If you are running hydro organic ferts, a good beneficial bacteria is essential. If your running chemical ferts, h202 or a product like Dutch Master Zone is a good idea to keep the bacteria from causing suffocation and root rot. The amount of DO in water with a temperature of 80 vs. 68 is only 1 ppm, so your not missing a lot of DO in a warmer res. A warmer reservoir will result in faster growth both of plant and the root zone but can cause an outbreak of bacteria.

My advice would be, if your running organic with beneficial bacteria, keep the res 70 and under. If its warmer, run chemical based ferts.

 

[abefroman35]

water temp is important to keep bacteria growth to a minimum. ... If its warmer, run chemical based ferts.

dude thank you so much jefferson, that explains the reasons why its important for such. thanks for not just telling me indoors is not for me. thanks for your advice and information. seriously, thanks brother.

 

[jimmy130380]

ph and ppm
took me from zero to hero
well not quite hero but evey thing worked a lot better

 

[abefroman35]

and if you realy need someting to tell you its hot just stick to buying your weed cause your already going to fail

what great advice sven. that really helps me out alot.

is this not why im doing such? so i dont have to "buy" "weed" and so i dont "fail"?

thank Jesus Christ for our technologies.

hey again, sven... great advice. really helps me out.

 

[JeffersonBud]

dude thank you so much jefferson, that explains the reasons why its important for such. thanks for not just telling me indoors is not for me. thanks for your advice and information. seriously, thanks brother.

Welcome bro, thats what were here for!

In dcw, your roots are consistently in the oxygenated solution. This only makes it more essential to monitor your ph and ppm. Having complete control of the solution at all times will ensure the plant can always have the right amount of food at the right ph

 

[deprave]

Under 20$ for a temp and humidity gauge?!?!?? Mine was like $1.99 lol

If you use soil that is all you need...a 1.99 analog temp and humidity meter.

Your water will be 7 or 8 PH if you use drinking water that is filtered (distilled or RO) ...add dolomite lime to your soil to bring it down to around 6.0 - 7.0

Amend your soil with nutes and add dry nutes in flower - NO PPM METER NEEDED....

TADA TOTAL METER COST 1.99$!!!


For HYDRO YES get a Digital EC/PPM METER and A digital PH TESTER - Dont Mess around on the meters with Hydro