Soil/Water pH Meter Question

I only want to buy one pH meter but I'm growing in soil. So my question is, is there a pH meter that measures the pH in both soil and water? If not, which one would be better or more accurate for my grow?

Thanks

I use a bluelab PH pen for water that i pour on soil, I check the PH and PPM of the run off on a regular schedule, this way you can keep track of how much your ladies eat.

You can usually find some inexpensive options online, or visit your local big box stores, they have some cheapo stuff, I have never measured the PH of soil only runnoff.

Peace

I would buy a combination PH/PPM meter to test the water. You really need both to grow successfully, and the soil meters are close, but not as accurate as you need. Milwakee make a good one, but they are pricey but last forever. I have had one for 10 years with no problems. Good luck

You don't need to test the soil if you use the right kind to start with (buffered- look for "lime" on the label!) just test the pH of your water and nute solution (after mixing) before watering/feeding- and test the runoff (the stuff that drains out the bottom)

^^^
This.
It's really that simple.

People apparently don't use nutes that change your ph much. With nutes added my water goes down to 5.4 PH so it NEEDS adjusted or you will see effects. Trust me. and that is with a solid base. So the correct answer to your question is make sure you have a solid soil base ( I use FFOF ) and check the water with nutrients added. Dont rely on the run-off it is known to be mis-leading.

big.MF.mike said:

I only want to buy one pH meter but I'm growing in soil. So my question is, is there a pH meter that measures the pH in both soil and water? If not, which one would be better or more accurate for my grow?

Thanks

Click to expand...

The standard solution style ph Meter can be used to measure the pH of soil. The method for soil is to take a small sample of soil, mix it well in a test tube(shot glass works) with equal amount of distilled water and then measure the pH of the solution.

This method works with ph Paper, and ph Drops, although the colors can get hard to read.

Note that the pH of watering runoff while usefull is NOT the same as measuring the pH of the soil as I decribed.

LadyZandra said:

You don't need to test the soil if you use the right kind to start with (buffered- look for "lime" on the label!) just test the pH of your water and nute solution (after mixing) before watering/feeding- and test the runoff (the stuff that drains out the bottom)

Click to expand...

how do you know if you have the right kind if you don't test it? Soil is dynamic, the pH can change as fertilizers are added, salts leached, microbes grow.
I'm pretty lazy in soil with pH testing, but I wouldn't ever say one doesn't need to test the soil.

thanks to all for the responses they really helped me

so if i have the correct pH in my water and nutrient solution i should be OK as far a pH problems?
also, how much will the pH of the water and nutrient solution differ from the runoff?

Air said:

People apparently don't use nutes that change your ph much. With nutes added my water goes down to 5.4 PH so it NEEDS adjusted or you will see effects. Trust me. and that is with a solid base. So the correct answer to your question is make sure you have a solid soil base ( I use FFOF ) and check the water with nutrients added. Dont rely on the run-off it is known to be mis-leading.

Click to expand...

If you are using buffered soil that contains lime- it will adjust the nutes after you add them IF it is relatively close to the optimal range-- THAT is why you test the runoff... IF the runoff is WAY off- then you adjust the pH of what you are adding to make the needed changes-- YES: math involved- but not that hard...
IF:
Nutes in = pH 5.4 and Runoff= 6.8 "A-OK"
Nutes in = pH 5.4 and runoff = 5.8 adjust nutes going in by 1 full point (6.4) and runoff should come out at 6.8 etc...

takes some playing-around, but gets to be old-hat and habit quite quickly.

PurpleBuz said:

how do you know if you have the right kind if you don't test it? Soil is dynamic, the pH can change as fertilizers are added, salts leached, microbes grow.
I'm pretty lazy in soil with pH testing, but I wouldn't ever say one doesn't need to test the soil.

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As I said- READ THE LABEL!
Buffered means it is neutral at 7.o... Pro Mix and FFoF both are.... other soils, if you feel the need to do a simple soil test at the beginning to determine its base Ph- go for it.. but if you are adding nutrients that are organic- they do not change the pH as much as chemicals-- and with chemicals- it is why you do periodic flushing AND check the runoff....

LadyZandra said:

As I said- READ THE LABEL!
Buffered means it is neutral at 7.o... Pro Mix and FFoF both are.... other soils, if you feel the need to do a simple soil test at the beginning to determine its base Ph- go for it.. but if you are adding nutrients that are organic- they do not change the pH as much as chemicals-- and with chemicals- it is why you do periodic flushing AND check the runoff....

Click to expand...

sure agree with top reliable brands the label on soil is probably ok. although they may not buffer to 7.0 since majority of plants prefer slightly acidic.

But on lesser more mass produced brands the label on potting mix means very little. I'd be guessing that majority of run of the mill retail soil mixes vary a lot in actual amounts of lime, buffer and materials in individual bags.