soil meter ph cheap vs not so cheap? what you experience with these meters?

Cali chronic

Cali chronic

Well-Known Member
Thanks for looking in---I posted here in advanced as most do not spend money on meters and tools till they get a bit of experience or techy....I have been using the 7 dollar homedeepthroat special which i do not trust.


Now I went thru a few cheap meters for water till I got a Hanna for H20 (like being a Dr and having an Xray machine) But I planted some girls in Coco and Spag and the H20 was 6.5 at watering and they are reading 7.5 on that cheapy???
C'mon now the medium is all at 5 or under and the H20 was 6.25 per Hanna inst.
any experience with this piece of equiptment
I was looking at this meter as it boasts of accuracy as well as good for educational or scientific reading
http://cgi.ebay.com/SOIL-PH-MOISTURE-METER-TESTER-WATER-QUALITY-16-LONG_W0QQitemZ230355175875QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a23d09c3#ht_2014wt_913

without it costing over 80 bucks!
 
D

Denofearth69

Active Member
Did you read meter instructions? Some meters are designed for use out doors, and only read properly if you insert them in soupy mud. Otherwise, I think the cheap ones are as good as expensive, provided you buy one designed for potted plants. I have found that the degree of moisture seems to have an effect on the reading.
 
Cali chronic

Cali chronic

Well-Known Member
yes of course---and you are right different reading for different conditions---but have you ever spent any money on one? because you think----there is no difference? Well thanks for the input. Now Has Anyone have any experience with the likes of an expensive one?
 
GrammarPolice

GrammarPolice

Well-Known Member
I use the blue Milwaukee tester.. Had it for almost 5 years.. tests water and soil..

Its a manual calibration tool though.. but has stayed very true over time.
 
Cali chronic

Cali chronic

Well-Known Member
Problem solved--went to hydro store and they recommend using the last 10 percent runoff after watering and capture in a glass and use my Hanna meter to measure the current H20 Ph and that will give me a better idea of what is going on in those pots/ but still leaves me hanging for the in soil vegetable gardem
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
You pretty much get what you pay for. Good ain't cheap and cheap ain't good.

My Milwaukee SM-101 cost a bit less than $80 and is pH only. Pretty decent for the cost.

At work, we have a MyronL combo pH and EC meter. It cost a bit over $750.

Those cheap stick in the dirt things are less than useless and seldom accurate.

Get the best you can afford.

Wet
 
CLOSETGROWTH

CLOSETGROWTH

Well-Known Member
TIP>> If you wanna keep your ph stable throughout your whole grow Add some finely granulated dolomite lime to your soil or water jug.

Good luck with everything :)
 
C

cavebaby

Member
Cali chronic said:
Thanks for looking in---I posted here in advanced as most do not spend money on meters and tools till they get a bit of experience or techy....I have been using the 7 dollar homedeepthroat special which i do not trust.


Now I went thru a few cheap meters for water till I got a Hanna for H20 (like being a Dr and having an Xray machine) But I planted some girls in Coco and Spag and the H20 was 6.5 at watering and they are reading 7.5 on that cheapy???
C'mon now the medium is all at 5 or under and the H20 was 6.25 per Hanna inst.
any experience with this piece of equiptment
I was looking at this meter as it boasts of accuracy as well as good for educational or scientific reading
http://cgi.ebay.com/SOIL-PH-MOISTURE-METER-TESTER-WATER-QUALITY-16-LONG_W0QQitemZ230355175875QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a23d09c3#ht_2014wt_913

without it costing over 80 bucks!
Click to expand...
I went to lowes and got a sperry/moss for 18 bucks.....now for hydo i might spend a lot more but for dirt its ok imo.

I checked it against know constants like lemon juice, vinegar , and my tap water thats set at 7.0

It works like a charm
 
Cali chronic

Cali chronic

Well-Known Member
I did an experiment today:
3 glasses of water all ph noted and or balanced 1 was RO and 2 were from the same source of blown off Ph balanced H20.
I had created a soil mix and had just picked picked up some FF I blended warrior and the other ---I digress,
after sitting for a few hours I strained off the H20 and measured and suprisingly the two diff cups of soil I blended the Ph raised 800 bases points or .8 from 6 to 6.8 where the FF dropped 500/ I used my hanna quick check as that seems the bes way to know what is coming out of the pots. But if you are in the ground_ Im gonna have to see some of those others---just so "if'y-ya know"
 
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