Hello, I have come to the conclusion that I must buy a better PH meter than the $8.00 ebay [yellow] one i have. I would GREATLY appreciate some good info on this delicate matter. Is there any good PH meter/pens under $60?? Thanks in advance and i look forward to any and every response.
I noticed the cheap ones last me close to a year so I choose to buy a $15-20 pen once a year rather than a $200 pen and hoping it lasts 10+ years.
This is the last one I bought, 4 stars from 260 reviews for $18 Well it wont let me post an amazon link for some stupid reason so google this and it should the first result: Pocket Size pH Meter with ATC and Backlit LCD, 0.05pH High Accuracy, 0-14 pH Measurement Range, 0.01 Resolution Handheld, Measure Household Drinking Water(Red)
Those cheap ones can be hit or miss. Been through a few myself... Make sure to get a bottle of calibration solution, and calibrate it periodically. Proper maintenance and storage of the probe goes a long way in getting good lifetime out of a meter. I'd look at name brand pens Blue Labs, Hanna, Milwaukee.. etc. I now use a Hanna HI 98129.
I just bought a new BlueLab pH meter last week and it was $79.00. If you're going to spend $60, go ahead and toss in another $20 and get a Cadillac that is fast and right every time. The one I had used before I bought this one was made by Milwaukee. I think it cost me about $65 and worked well. The main thing with the pH meters, is you definitely want to get one that is waterproof. LOL I laugh because I did the same thing you did at first and buy one that cost $12.99 on Ebay. I realized several weeks later that the thing hadn't given me a correct reading since I took it from the box. So, I had to rebuy that item and the Milwaukee one was what I bought. Later I learned of BlueLab and their quality, so I gave my old one to a friend of mine who has started a little closet grow and had been using the strips. Something else in the way of gadgets you might consider getting if you don't have one already, is a TDS meter. They're relatively cheap at under $15 and tell you how weak/strong your nutrient solution is. I kept on frying my plants with nutes so that baby came in handy for me big time. LOL Happy growing! TWW
I would check it weekly at least. If it's constantly off, check it each time prior to using and save up for a good one. If it stays in calibration, check it monthly and consider yourself lucky. lol
I found a decent one at my local hydro store for $40. Very pleased with it, don't remember the name though. Sade's outdoor Bigfoot territory grow
