Calibrate/Check those PH pens

I grow in 100% coco and feed every watering. PH is extremely important. I started having some issues with some plants and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Nothing had changed that I knew of. And even though one of the first things I should have checked was the accuracy of my PH pen I neglected to do it. When I finally checked my PH pen. It was off by 1.1. It was a cheap pen and I should have bought a better one. It worked for about six months and then went haywire. It won't even calibrate so I tossed it in the trash.
I just purchased a new Bluelab PH pen. It was a little expensive but the quality is there and it should last and be accurate much longer than that cheap piece of junk I had before.
Sometimes you get complacent and neglect simple things. So remember to keep those pens calibrated so you know they're giving you accurate readings.
Happy Growing!

Excellent advice. I went through the exact same sequence. I calibrate my blue labs once per month and it eliminates so many issues.

ph probes last between 1-2 years max i am on my 4th one right now.

oakton and bluelab are the best they usually last around 18 months.

they are considered disposable

Yoda is right, I've had em all lol. The cheap one I bought off Amazon has lasted the longest, starting my third season but I have a back up hm, just bought 2 at $30 each. Oh and I drive em like I stole them lol.

For the inexpensive meters, using storage solution helps. Just a little in the cap. Just enough for squeeze out. Also, letting it soak for at least 10 minutes will give quicker reading.

I just got the blue lab combo too for $250,

I love it

My $25 Milwaukee needs calibration 70% of the time when I go to use it. This one is 28 months old and still going even though I treat it like shit, even left it out in the summer sun after checking my hot tub once and it stopped working. Came back to life the next day lol. Its my third one in 15 years.

I can use my one pH pen as a spirit level. The value changes depending on the angle I hold it at.

ANC said:

I can use my one pH pen as a spirit level. The value changes depending on the angle I hold it at.

Click to expand...

Put it up on ebay. Those ghost hunter coocoo's will snatch up anything that makes no sense for ridiculous amounts of money LOL

I think they are also like EC pens. You need to clean the metal probe end often with a slightly abrasive cloth.

Mind you I don't have an EC pen and don't use my PH pens so I could be wrong..lol.

I have a piece of shit Hanna ph/TDS, that wasn't cheap but sucks! Even after replacing the ph bulb, it will not read ph accurately or calibrate, unless I forego the recommended storage solution and use a 4.01 calibration solution for storage.

Just spend money one time and get blue lab combo,

Its has auto calibration,

And it is pin point accurate.


Instead of spending $10-30 every couple months.

Bakersfield said:

I have a piece of shit Hanna ph/TDS, that wasn't cheap but sucks! Even after replacing the ph bulb, it will not read ph accurately or calibrate, unless I forego the recommended storage solution and use a 4.01 calibration solution for storage.

Click to expand...

Man I loved hanna,had three of them in total until I got my bluelab

I've had an essentials PH pen for 8 years and I calibrated it once when it read 6.9 instead of 7.
I must of got lucky.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/162422136886?chn=ps&adgroupid=45816795725&rlsatarget=pla-380356967029&abcId=1128936&adtype=pla&merchantid=114961861&poi=&googleloc=1007053&device=c&campaignid=856936463&crdt=0

Bakersfield said:

I have a piece of shit Hanna ph/TDS, that wasn't cheap but sucks! Even after replacing the ph bulb, it will not read ph accurately or calibrate, unless I forego the recommended storage solution and use a 4.01 calibration solution for storage.

Click to expand...

Test solution is a great way to store the probe tip.
http://www.all-about-ph.com/ph-electrode-storage.html

ANC said:

I can use my one pH pen as a spirit level. The value changes depending on the angle I hold it at.

Click to expand...

mine depends one the cup lmao or if im doing a bucket or a cup itll be different as well

theflowerman.dc said:

Just spend money one time and get blue lab combo,

Its has auto calibration,

And it is pin point accurate.


Instead of spending $10-30 every couple months.

Click to expand...

Had two. Both quit after less than a year, the replacement was easy and free though as I bought it at a now closed hydro store. I gotta say, this is the best one I have bought so far for longevity and price, I may have just got lucky and consider it a throwaway I paid $35 but it gone up to $41. As for TDS meter I have one but only use to monitor the changes in levels, not the actual TDS. Calibration is not a concern