What TDS/PPM meter do you use?

1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Rubisco456 said:
Hello guys, First time posting on the forms after lurking around for a few months. I'm starting to get into aeroponics and EZcloner stuff and I'm having a hard time finding recommendations for EC / PPM monitors. What are you guys using? I'm aware that I will have to keep an eye on water temperature for EC readings so I could just get a separate temp sensor but I bet there has to be a meter with a temp sensor on it to compensate for temperature.
Click to expand...
After buying calibration solution I threw my two cheap meters in the trash. ;-)

I scored two used HM-Digital-COM-80 on ebay for around $10 each, shipping included. :-P
Good meters, but get calibration solution if buying used.

HM Digital COM-80 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids Hydro Tester, 0-5000 ppm TDS Range, 1 ppm Resolution, 2% Readout Accuracy: Tds Meter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

HM Digital COM-80 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids Hydro Tester, 0-5000 ppm TDS Range, 1 ppm Resolution, 2% Readout Accuracy: Tds Meter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
 
V256.420

V256.420

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
After buying calibration solution I threw my two cheap meters in the trash. ;-)

I scored two used HM-Digital-COM-80 on ebay for around $10 each, shipping included. :-P
Good meters, but get calibration solution if buying used.

HM Digital COM-80 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids Hydro Tester, 0-5000 ppm TDS Range, 1 ppm Resolution, 2% Readout Accuracy: Tds Meter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

HM Digital COM-80 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids Hydro Tester, 0-5000 ppm TDS Range, 1 ppm Resolution, 2% Readout Accuracy: Tds Meter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
I wonder if this is the newer version? I'm still using the HM TDS3 which is a bit cheaper than yours.
 
Billy the Mountain

Billy the Mountain

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
After buying calibration solution I threw my two cheap meters in the trash. ;-)

I scored two used HM-Digital-COM-80 on ebay for around $10 each, shipping included. :-P
Good meters, but get calibration solution if buying used.

HM Digital COM-80 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids Hydro Tester, 0-5000 ppm TDS Range, 1 ppm Resolution, 2% Readout Accuracy: Tds Meter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

HM Digital COM-80 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids Hydro Tester, 0-5000 ppm TDS Range, 1 ppm Resolution, 2% Readout Accuracy: Tds Meter: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
Agreed, calibration is important, new or used
It's cheap and simple to make your own calibration solution; only requires table salt and distilled water.
I found it easier to make a larger volume since my scale isn't appropriate for small measurements

From the author of Hydrobuddy:
 
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
V256.420 said:
I wonder if this is the newer version? I'm still using the HM TDS3 which is a bit cheaper than yours.
Click to expand...
I don't know about different versions of the com-80 but it's a different meter than the TDS-3. One of the meters I tossed was a TDS-3 but it was a knock-off, not HM Digital.
 
V256.420

V256.420

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
I don't know about different versions of the com-80 but it's a different meter than the TDS-3. One of the meters I tossed was a TDS-3 but it was a knock-off, not HM Digital.
Click to expand...
You like the Com 80 better? I was desperate and bought a Bluelab Truncheon for $105 but I don't even use it. Wasted $$$ imo.
 
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Billy the Mountain said:
Agreed, calibration is important, new or used
It's cheap and simple to make your own calibration solution; only requires table salt and distilled water.
I found it easier to make a larger volume since my scale isn't appropriate for small measurements

From the author of Hydrobuddy:
Click to expand...
I now only use ec and ph meters with digital calibration, no drift like the little trim pots/screw adjusters.
Yeah, I made up a gallon when I mixed up the salt solution, quite accurate.
 
Last edited:
Rubisco456

Rubisco456

Member
Thank you all for the recommendations on meters! I really really appreciate it!

I come from a biochem background and I'm a total gear head As much as I'd like to get some of the $2K pH meters of $800 EC/TDS/resistivity meters, my budget isn't that high!
 
Billy the Mountain

Billy the Mountain

Well-Known Member
Rubisco456 said:
Thank you all for the recommendations on meters! I really really appreciate it!

I come from a biochem background and I'm a total gear head As much as I'd like to get some of the $2K pH meters of $800 EC/TDS/resistivity meters, my budget isn't that high!
Click to expand...
Nor should it be, no one recommended anything in that price range

The Com80 EC meter is $30

The Apera all-in-one's are $125-150
 
Rubisco456

Rubisco456

Member
Billy the Mountain said:
Nor should it be, no one recommended anything in that price range

The Com80 EC meter is $30

The Apera all-in-one's are $125-150
Click to expand...
Oh no I'm taking about my laboratory background. I used one of these bad boys: https://www.coleparmer.com/i/thermo-scientific-dual-star-ph-ise-mv-meter-kit/5882520

And a Oakton EC: https://www.coleparmer.com/i/oakton-con-6-handheld-conductivity-meter-with-probe/3560400?PubID=UX&persist=true&ip=no&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RRgulsjr_JbaEj8K2zKqlRoVqWvwaJ4RT46CGR07fKpBAjLrybSEZxoCmBsQAvD_BwE

I didn't realize the enthusiast meters were so cheap after the recommendations in this thread.
 
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