Reddit mentions: The best chemical buffers

Cost Analysis

Tent Setup

$70 2' x 4' x 5' Mylar tent

• Holding up well, easy build. Is not 100% dark, light leaks outwards from spots along the zipper and pinholes but no light leak into the tent during dark. Perfect size for my light.
  
  
  $325 Lights: Horticulture Lighting Group 260 QB LED Kit
  
  
• I cannot say enough about these lights. I had to run them anywhere from 50-75% during veg to prevent light burn. Great coverage for a 2x4 tent. Nothing but praise 10/10 would buy again.
  
  
  Climate Control
  
  $100 ($90 + $10)4" Inline duct fan and Carbon Filter + Ducting/clamps from ACE
  
  
• This puppy can SUCK, I have to keep it on the lowest setting to prevent the pressure inside the tent from dropping (need to work on my passive intake next grow). Carbon filter works great. Lowers humidity in a pinch. It keeps my humidity at or below 50%, which is what it maxes out at after a watering.
  
  
  $21 Osculating Fan Purchased on a flash deal
  
  
• I have it elevated about 3-4 inches on a box. Running and osculating 24/7. It pushes air, not a jet engine though.
  
  Already on hand: Box Fan
  
  
• Had one from years ago. Sometimes I open the tent and blast this on high right on level with the buds just go shake out the leaves, gets a bit crowded in the scrog and I'd like to eliminate any humidity caught between leaves sticking together. Think you can scoop one from Walmart for like $15 bucks, $20 max. I also have room at the right edge of my tent where I normally keep the oscilating fan to drop this in and use it in a humidity pinch.
  
  $25 [Humidifier] (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunbeam-Warm-Mist-Humidifier-SWM6000-BWM/32664862)
  
  
• This puppy does well. I use the first setting, usually can run 16+ hours on a full reservoir of H20. No filter which keeps cost down, just need to clean it one or twice a week with a brush for the hard water deposits. 5-10 minute process.
  
  $45 Dehumidifier
  
  
• This was a bit of a mistake purchase. I wanted to test and see if a small model offered on amazon (this looked to be one of the best for sub $50, and has the biggest holding tank out of them all) could put in any kind of noticeable work in a tent. What I noticed is that it will be able to roughly maintain humidity at times, after I run the exhaust fan to lower the levels. When the lights are out and the temperature drops, this thing has no chance. Go with a full size dehumidifier or rely on the dry Colorado air + passive intake + duct fan. I was struggling with humidity issues during the cold of the winter, now that I can have my windows open my ambient room humidity is usually 40% or below.
  
  $18 4" inline duct booster fan
  
  
• Also a mistake purchase. Does not move a lot of air. Had plans to use this for an airflow/passive (not) intake system but it's not worth the electricity cost to run this thing. I'd stay away.
  
  
  Meters (Ph, PPM, Soil, Temp and Humidity)
  
  $18 Hygrometer for Temp/Humidity
  
  
• Worth it to get the wireless monitor so you're not opening the tent all the time)
  
  $13 Ph Meter
  
  
• Great little Meter. Calibrated nicely and seems to be holding true. Details about storage below under the calibration Solution
  
  $12 TDS PPM meter
  
  
• Quick measurements, came with a little leather storage pouch. Can't recommend against it.
  
  $9 Soil Moisture, Light, Ph meter
  
  
• Does it's job well, reads soil Ph and moisture well and pretty instantaneously. I wouldn't recommend it for getting detailed light readings but it responds correctly.
  
  
  Ph Control and Calibration
  
  $9 Ph Control Kit
  
  $14 Ph Calibration solution
  
  
• For calibration/life of the tip:I store the tip in a bit of 7.0 solution that I pour into the cap. Good to have on hand for calibration.
  
  
  
  Plants / Growing Medium
  
  $80 Clones - $20 from dispensary. here's a link to the strain page and the clone page. Don't believe seeds are available.
  
  $8 for 6ct 5 gal Smart Pot knockoff
  
  
• Do their job, hold up well. I cut the handles off to make watering under the scrog easier.
  
  $40 - Soil: Two bags of Happy Frog purchased from the local grow store. Ocean forest was sitting around.
  
  $7 for 30ct Starter grow bags
  
  
• Do not recommend, breathe terribly, water stagnates even with modifications. Had to feed lightly and often, and really monitor dampness. Needed these for the outdoor garden anyways)
  
  $14 - Scrog net: I believe it was a 25 or a 50ft roll of 1"x1" plastic garden fencing from Home Depot.
  
  
• Unfortunately I can't find a link but it's pretty common. I cut out the middles to make them 2"x2" openings, 1x1 seems very difficult to work with and would block a lot of light.
  
  
  Nutrients
  
  $100: Cyco 1 Litre Bottles
  
  
• I have a local grow shop that I purchased a lot of these from. The 1 litre Cyco nutrient bottles ranged from $10-$18 and I have 7 different nutrients, call it $100
  
  
• Vegetative State: Grow A & B + Dr. Repair + Silica
  
  
• Flowering State: Bloom A & B + Potash Plus (+ Dr Repair and Silica every other feeding)
  
  $20: Key To Life - Uptake
  
  
• Great for calcium uptake. Was told that this could basically replace calmag.
  
  $45 Cyco Grow XL Super Phosphoric Acid
  
  
• Definitely an 'extra', not cheap for 100ml but I think the potential yield improvement from this phosphorous bomb will cover that cost, especially over 3-4 grows which I expect to get out of the bottle. Also states it helps with Fe, N and K uptake.
  
  
  
  Miscelaneous Stuff:
  
  $15 - random stuff from Walmart, etc.
  
• Eyedroppers, duct tape, zip ties
  
  $6 Spray Bottles
  
  
• Did not use these much, only very early during transplanting
  
  
  
  So to total that all out we're looking just over $1000 that I spent.
  
  
• Could have kept it under $950 if I had not purchased the small duct fan or dehumidifier.
  
• Also: Soil and nutrients for $205. Could work that down to under $150 by dropping a couple unnecessary yet desirable nutrients.
  
  
  

If I needed such a thing, I would probably just call Taylor, and ask what they would recommend to test those ranges with. 1-800-test-kit. They are awesome on the phone.

I checked for pH standards, and Taylor offers them from like 2.0 and up, but most have dyes. They said they can make a version without dye in the pH of your choice, but that sounded expensive to me.

I found this on amazon, just searching for pH standard:
Clear 7.00 pH Standard Buffer Solution, 1L -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0731XBQZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LcFZDb1VFK51M

So if you mix precisely half and half with this, and get a true 8, the pH is really a 9.0. This may affect the accuracy of the ad test, so that would be another question for Taylor.

Most of my reaction to this question would be to avoid it altogether. I avoid doing curations of other people’s plaster like the plague. If you want to do it, you just need to be there the day it’s filled, and toss in 3x gal Ma. Come back tomorrow, test, adjust & brush, etc. NPC has an excellent class if you get the chance to attend one. Basically, it’s all about 7.2 pH or so, and >0 Chl until it stops dusting heavily, and balance it proper at 30 days, but I’d leave the calcium soft (200) until 60.

Recently got a pH meter. It came with some powder to create calibration solutions, which I plan to do this weekend. I've read a lot that I should keep the probe wet in between uses. Do you guys use water or the buffer solution? When I was looking at buying additional calibration solution I found this set that includes a storage solution of potassium chloride. Is that necessary? Any pH meter advice is welcome! Thanks!

I bought this one and some calibration solution.

Whenever I use it I do a triple point calibration first. The most important part of any measuring instrument is the calibration. Cheap meters' calibrations drift with time but it takes days. I calibrate when I heat my strike water.

Be patient, let the meter sit in the solution for at least a minute, stirring a little and make sure to make all your measurements at calibration temperature. Don't trust the automatic temperature correction, just take all measurements at the same temperature.

Cheap meters can normally be stored dry but it will definitely affect the lifetime of the meter. You can use storage solution but you have to be certain about the type of storage solution for your electrode.

Na. It comes with some calibration buffer. Calibrate it when you get it and it's golden. I've since bought some 3 stage buffer to make sure ph is accurate. The three stage buffer came with some storage solution but I don't use it. Just clean the testing end off after each use and it's fine.

edit: Here's the buffer solution if there's any interest.

They work great, and I'd really suggest getting one for hydroponic grows. I use an HM Digital pH-200 which is nice because it comes with a replaceable electrode, so when it wears out or breaks don't have to replace the entire meter. You also will need some pH 7.0 calibration/electrode storage solution as the meter will drift, so calibrate weekly. This meter is on the expensive side of pH meters for hydroponics, but I believe in the "buy it right, buy it once" mantra. Sure you can buy a meter for $40 but you'll end up buying it twice after the first one breaks/malfunctions/whatever, so just get the nicer one and be done with it.

I didn't realize you'd already ordered the items in your list. That pH pen should work OK, but you'll need to calibrate it every couple of weeks. THIS kit has 4.0 and 7.0 calibration solutions and the storage solution. You definitely need those items to keep the pH pen operational (same goes for ANY pH meter). And you still need a tds/ppm meter... THIS cheap one should do.

>calibartions

lol.

Mine came with calibration solution mix like in this video. I would recommend weighing your water vs. using volume. 1 gram per mL.

They also sell solution.

Find the instructions for your pH meter and read them, there should be calibration instructions.

Bok choi has been the easiest thing for me to grow by far so there's definitely something off in your system.

Having a pH pen and an EC pen is pretty much critical to diagnosing nutrient solution problems. This is the pH meter I have, which is kind of mid-tier but comes with calibration solution. Also pick up some storage solution as it will reduce how often you have to recalibrate the pen vs keeping it dry. EC meter you can go cheap on, I use this one and get good results.

Yes you can fix it but you'll need to get a few things. You need a cheap ph meter, calibration solution, and ph up/down. About $40 for all of it but controlling ph is one of the most important aspects of growing cannabis so you need this stuff in your garden.

https://www.amazon.com/Wellcows-Accuracy-Measurement-Household-2019-Yellow/dp/B07TY8C5J4/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=ph+meter&qid=1565657005&s=gateway&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-pH-Control-Kit/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=bmx_1/139-3647658-0439602?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000BNKWZY&pd_rd_r=d1640380-0bcc-48d6-a02e-bb55f5418b06&pd_rd_w=ihU6e&pd_rd_wg=Bmo6F&pf_rd_p=82f2651f-9a02-4fdb-a6e8-f4769253cc2b&pf_rd_r=ZQ3BRFY8HSAN38YF29E1&psc=1&refRID=ZQ3BRFY8HSAN38YF29E1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F7OXRG2/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry, I don't know how to do the fancy links.

Good PSA

Here are some Links

Oakton PH2

Calibration Solution

Storage Solution

Get a good quality tester and keep it cleaned/calibrated and you will have it for a VERY long time :D

PS. I started out with a $20 PH pen and found out after some PH issues started up that it needed to be calibrated pretty much between each use. If I left it alone for a week it would be off by .3-.5 every time...

So i guess rinsing and washing it is good enough, thanks,

Here is where I got the formalin from:

https://www.amazon.com/TissuePro-NFB03-32R-Neutral-Buffered-Formalin/dp/B018REELP0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=formalin&qid=1571317664&sr=8-3

It sounds like you may have a soil with lots of a buffering basicifer in it like lime or some other (bi)carbonate.

If you have a cheap pH meter then it could be reading off if not calibrated. You want to calibrate digital pH meters at two points.

https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-4-01-Calibration-Solution/dp/B017H73794

I use [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Innovating-Science-Buffer-Calibration-Kit/dp/B00BUV7L96/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1472825418&sr=8-4&keywords=ph+calibration+solution) one. Like u/Boss_McAwesome said, you need more than one pH solution to properly calibrate.

I wanted a scientific grade instrument and found this pen for under 50 bucks and have been using it well over a year now; the only time it lost calibration was when the batteries needed changing. It gives quick readouts and comes with a two point calibration solution system along with a sturdy case with cutouts to hold everything. This is the storage solution I use to maintain the probe.

I mean it depends what you really need it for. Are you checking that your mash pH is +/- 0.1? I feel like unless we are fine using a calibrated $20 meter. I use this

PH tester: $18
https://www.amazon.com/DILISS-Household-Hydroponics-Aquariums-Resolution/dp/B072JVRPFY/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&dpID=519gyBWGUxL&dpPl=1&keywords=pH%20digital&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&qid=1517523343&ref=plSrch&ref_=mp_s_a_1_1&sr=8-1

PH calibration solutions: $13.69
https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-4-01-Calibration-Solution/dp/B017H73794/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&dpID=51Kpq0j-fmL&dpPl=1&keywords=general%20Hydroponics%207.0&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&qid=1517523500&ref=plSrch&ref_=mp_s_a_1_3&sr=8-3

All you need. Mine has lasted 4 years with very little calibration needed. Test it using these 2 solutions at least before every grow.

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-Storage-Solution-Electrode/dp/B002P35Y6U

Really most storage solutions would be fine but this one is manufacturer specific.

https://www.amazon.com/Biopharm-Calibration-Electrode-Traceable-Reference/dp/B01LVU36UD/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1498823587&sr=8-13&keywords=ph+storage+solution

or

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-Storage-Solution-Electrode/dp/B002P35Y6U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498823587&sr=8-3&keywords=ph+storage+solution

cheap ph tester

calibration packs for the ph tester

ph up and ph down (also comes with chemical test, but I’d get the pen)

Here is the mobile version of your link

There's a cheaper one than this

Would that work?

you have to calibrate your electronic one almost every time with this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-4-01-Calibration-Solution/dp/B017H73794

No. It's an instrument. It needs to be tuned. https://www.amazon.com/15-Pack-Buffer-Solution-Accurate-Calibration/dp/B075L6TF1V/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1550100627&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ph+calibration+packets&psc=1

You have to convert the proteins to polymer bonds, soak in this stuff first: https://www.amazon.com/TissuePro-NFB03-32R-Neutral-Buffered-Formalin/dp/B018REELP0/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=formalin&qid=1567485850&s=gateway&sr=8-1

then 70% isopropyl, the 98% can damage tissue.