VIVOSUN 48"x24"x60" Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent with Observation Window and Floor Tray for Indoor Plant Growing 2'x4' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DXYMQ9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dx13BbGGT8164

VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 300W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B4GQ6MO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Hz13BbPVVN2TK

This light is good for 2 plants but you’ll eventually want to add a second for your tent. You definitely can’t fill the tent with just this light, but it’ll get you started.

iPower 2-Pack 1/8 Inch 8-Feet Long Adjustable Heavy Duty Rope Clip Hanger, Reinforced Metal Internal Gears,150lb Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WIOEDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wA13Bb58ZJ5GD

Century 7 Day Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer - Dual Outlet (Indoor) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVF16JG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XA13Bb9NQJDG1

Comfort Zone CZ6C 6-Inch 2-Speed Clip-On Fan (White, 2 Fans) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JLUZSPC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.E13Bb05JK7B1

247Garden 5-Pack 3 Gallon Grow Bags/Aeration Fabric Pots w/Handles (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013JM3JAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VG13Bb7MGJS2R

https://www.oregonsonly.com/samples/

These are great nutrients and basically foolproof. This free sample kit will get you through 4 plants full grows. I love these nutrients and even now use them in a reservoir (which people claim you can’t do but works great).

Dr.meter 0.1pH PH002 High Accuracy pH Meter/pH Pen Tester with ATC LCD 0-14 pH Measurement Range (PH002 pH Meter for Water) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PU0W35K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fI13BbNRES1BK

That will get you started on your first grow or two. I recommend auto blue mystic from nirvana for your first run. They are very low smell while growing so you can get by without a carbon filter. They’re autos so you can leave the light on 24/7, and they finish fast. Also turns out a great finished product.

https://www.nirvanashop.com/marijuana-seeds/815-blue-mystic-autoflower.html

Less than $40 for 5 seeds and very discrete shipping.

When you have a bit more $ you can add on additional items. Eventually you’ll want to upgrade to PFD sun boards or quantum boards, but you’ll probably want to get a fan and filter first:

6" Inline Fan - 395 CFM Exhaust Duct Fan, Built-In Speed Controller, ETL Listed, Pre-Wired 6 FT Grounded Cord - Great Use In Grow Tent With Carbon Filters, Light Fixtures, Intake. Fits 6 Inch Ducts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L0D0UEQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TM13Bb5170NC1

Activated Charcoal Carbon Filter 6" x 16", Up to 400 CFM, Premium Grow Tent Odor Scrubber, 1.8" Extra Thick Layer of Top Grade Activated Australian Virgin Charcoal-Great for Hydroponics and Growing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0VN4I5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qN13BbEH9AG9W

Maybe you can upgrade to a 2x4 tray with reservoir so you can automate feeding.

If you don’t want autoflowers you can just do 12/12 from seed for faster harvest. https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-how-to-grow-cannabis-from-seed-under-12-12-lighting-n330

But I really recommend doing the auto blue mystic for your first round or two.

• I don't need a airlock or anything special just saran wrap on top of a jar with a rubber band.
  
• I have landed on 6% salt by weight and I add enough liquid just to try and submerge a bit
  
• Submerging has not really been that important. My last few have "floated" after fermenting and I had no mold issues. A little discoloration from oxidation but thats it
  
• I don't really bother to stir the mash
  
• It's fun to add wine or beer for more flavor
  
• They have been surprising mild sauces using just jalapeno or harbenero.
  
• I've decided the consistency I like if I am filling woozy bottles is simmering the finished mash, then putting through a medium food mill (I have Oxo mill).
  
• I like to thicken and keep from separating with about 1/4t Xanthum gum to 1500 ML of sauce
  
• I like 1/2 gallon masons as vessels.
  
• I like Caldwell's for ensuring a solid, active ferment. Or dregs from a prior ferment with this. In my head I liken it to getting good attenuation when brewing.
  
• Speaking of brewing, when bottling I use StarSan to sanitize bottles and then I hot pack
  
• I got a cheap PH meter to ensure shelf stability for finished sauces. So far so good
  
• I am usually blending random stuff in at the end to adjust and enhance (citrus juice, sweet fruit, re-hydrated dried chilies, etc)
  
• I just did one where I added raspberries and I'm excited to experiment now with more chilies and fruit

Although I need mine for my own hydroponic botanical needs, I can recommend the meter I use as a low-cost solution if nobody has one for you.

This is the one I use, and it's quite cheap at $15, but will still read just fine. Just get some calibration solution and check it a couple times between uses, until you are satisfied it is keeping calibration, then you can go longer without testing. I kept checking mine and it never lost calibration, so I've been pretty happy with it. It is not waterproof though, and after dropping mine in the reservoir I had to relearn how to read it due to to LCD cells lighting up when they shouldn't (so 5.8 read as 9.8 because the extra line on the 5 lit up.) After recalibrating, it was fine, just wonky to read, testing against drops and ph buffered nutrient solution (always sets itself to 5.8ph) showed it was calibrated fine. So just don't get it wet, and be careful not to break the probe putting the cap back on, as it's made of glass and the cap edge can crush it.

Another better quality one that I hope to get soon is this one, although it is more expensive at $50, it is also waterproof and just all around better quality.

Well, the pH meter I have is this one but I really doubt you need one that nice. Plenty of people use the $20 ones. Basically the same with TDS meters, nothing too expensive is necessary for our basic purposes. When I say my pH was bouncing around I actually mean a couple things, #1 I wasn’t properly treating the water so after a few minutes the pH in a bucket of new water would come back up, but more importantly #2 my kH was a little high, and my pH was too, so not enough CO2 was staying in the water. Look up “tom barr kh ph co2 chart”, he has a good explanation.

Seems like your light is plenty bright! My lord… ya I guess that 18” makes sense.

Interesting info about your nitrates! I guess a good idea to do WCs then. It would seem to me that means your plants aren’t eating it up, which means something is off- since your light and nutrients are presumably high enough via IE dosing, it seems all that’s left is CO2, barring some strange factor like a poison or something. That or something is contributing excess nitrogen (soil? I have this and used some floating plants to pull excess out). Oh also I guess some people say the API test kit isn’t accurate…not sure if that’s true.

One other thing I noticed, since there are multiple factors we are changing, it can be hard to tell what works and doesn’t. Plants also take time to react. So you shouldn’t look at issues as a series of failures, rather that you are making a series of corrections but the whole system doesn’t work until you figure out every part. So it sounds like you’ve been making progress, by all rights you are close to having things run perfectly. Also, if you only have one algae that’s like 10x less than I did 6 months ago.

That's a lot of money for a fan. You could always get a cheaper fan that moves more cfm and simply get a fan silencer. You would still save money at that rate and spend the rest on an enclosed hood or cool tube to help with temperature control.

Overall you're good.

Fan Silencer (out of stock at the moment, but cheaper): http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-VT-FS-6-Muffler-Silencer/dp/B00HWILBSS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450225496&sr=8-3&keywords=fan+silencer

Fan silencer (more expensive, but in stock): http://www.amazon.com/Phresh-701200-Silencer-4-Inch-12-Inch/dp/B007ZU5YQS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1450225496&sr=8-6&keywords=fan+silencer

Hood Upgrade: http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLRLS24-Hydroponic-Reflector/dp/B00BMVK8HG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450225652&sr=8-1&keywords=air+cooled+hood

Fan and Carbon Scrubber Replacements: http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-VT-IF6-CF6-B-Controller/dp/B0051HDECS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450225799&sr=8-1&keywords=ventech+vt+if6

If you're going to be flowering in the tent, I would recommend lightproofing it, as well. Use only the ports in your tent for intake and cut some carbon filters to size. http://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Pre-Filter-38002-Activated-Sheets/dp/B00LXIWNT4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450225982&sr=8-1&keywords=carbon+filter+sheet

Your tent is a little expensive, too. If that's the one you have your heart set on, go for it. As an alternative, I suggest http://www.amazon.com/MILLIARD-Reflective-Hydroponic-Mylar-Window/dp/B00ETBDX14/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450226158&sr=8-1&keywords=milliard+grow+tent

You will want a fan or two of some kind to circulate air inside the tent. 6 Inch clip fans are popular. I use a pair of 4 inch clip fans and a tower fan.

Make sure to look into a DIY Ona Bucket for smells. During flower it will stink up your room when you open the tent. Just turn the Ona bucket on a little before that and you're good. If you're really paranoid about smell, you can also get an inline carbon scrubber. They're pretty expensive and probably not necessary unless you pick some especially fragrant strains. http://www.amazon.com/Phresh-500-Inline-Filter-6-Inch/dp/B00CJIMUH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450226390&sr=8-1&keywords=phresh+inline

That's my $.02, anyway. There are much more experienced growers here.

I actually didn't tally up the cost as that wasn't really of a concern to me, but I'll try my best to provide links to the things I bought for this. Feel free to add it up for me!

• Lighting
  
  • T-5 Grow light (came with 6500K bulbs)
    
  • 2700K bulbs
    
  • Grow light hangers
    
• Grow medium
  
  • Net Cups
    
  • Black Buckets
    
  • Black lids
    
• Nutrients
  
  • General Hydroponics Flora Series
    
  • General Hydroponics pH control kit
    
  • pH/EC/Temp Meters
    
• Grow tent
  
• Air ventilation
  
  • The only thing I ended up using from this kit was the cheapest part, the ventilation duct...
    
  • The fan from this kit is way too powerful for my setup because my humidifier couldn't keep up
    
  • I didn't use the carbon filter because I'm not growing weed.
    
• Water Distiller
  
• Humidifier
  
  • The cheaper the humidifier, the better. I first bought (and destroyed) one that had some sort of digital switch, so it would always be in the off state when you first supply power to it, meaning you can't turn it on/off with just a relay.
    
• Plumbing
  
  • Aquatec 8852 booster pump
    
  • 2 Gallon accumulator tank
    
  • Pressure relief valve
    
  • Tubing
    
  • Inline Pre-filter (Sorry they must have taken the product down...)
    
  • Misting nozzle T's
    
  • Tube ball valves
    
  • Analog pressure gauge
    
  • Misting Nozzles
    
    • Note that these nozzles are meant for WAY higher pressure systems (~1000psi) and I actually had to take out the spring for them to operate correctly, but they never clogged up, are easy to clean, and worked perfectly for me!
      
• Electronics
  
  • Raspberry Pi 3 kit
    
  • Humidity sensor
    
  • Pressure sensor
    
  • Water solenoid valve
    
  • 5V 4-channel relay module
    
  • Analog-to-digital converter
    
  • 24V to 12V converter
    
  • 24V Power supply
    
  • Resistor kit
    
  • Semiconductor kit
    
  • Circuit boards
    
  • Standoffs
    
• Wiring
  
  • 22 gauge stranded wire
    
  • 22 gauge solid wire
    
  • Power supply cord
    
• Connectors
  
  • Electronic Connectors
    
    • JST-XHP Connectors
      
    • JST-SM Connectors
      
    • Dupont Connectors
      
  • Plumbing Connectors
    
    • Bulkhead connectors
      
    • Quick-connect kit
      
    • NPT to quick-connect connector
      
      I also bought various tools, like crimpers, Dremel kit, drill, etc, but I don't consider those to be project-specific as I'll have them for the foreseeable future. Let me know if there's anything you see that you think I missed!
      

Ah interesting, thanks! I love that he has an 8" sub to go with his 18" 12" mains XD.

I actually have a similar mis-match of speakers though I paid considerably less. Wharfedale Diamond 9s and Bose 201 Series III's, connected to two Yamaha CRX-M170 amps. One was given to me and the other was bought 'faulty' for £50, however the amplifier part works fine. Gale 3090 sub bought second hand for £50. Overall it all sounds pretty good to me, and I'm happy with it :)

I've been looking for something similar for three weeks, asking about it on reddit and other places.

It seems the most popular brands mentioned on this subreddit aren't easily available in the UK, and it's easy to think that £100 will get you a good set of speakers (in PC terms, £100 would let you pick among the best keyboards or mice), but for speakers it seems that 95% of the options under £100 are bad.

Speakers are either active (power supply built into them) or passive (needs a separate amp). Cheap / normal PC speakers are active, so I'm assuming you don't already have an amp.

In the UK the most highly recommended speakers under £100 are Whafedale Diamonds.

Best for under £100:

• Amp: LEPY 2024A Plus (£24)
  
  
• Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 (£60)
  
  The best for under £200:
  
  
• Amp: SMSL SA-50 (£53)
  
• Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (£100), these speakers are quite big for a desk.
  
  Also needed:
  
  
• 3.5mm to RCA (£4) or something similar of whatever length to reach from your computer to the amp
  
• 2.5mm multi-strand 432 (2x216 strand), 14 AWG (£6), or any 14 or 16 gauge speaker wire, to go from the amp to each speaker.
  
  The £24 amp isn't great, but should do fine for sitting in front of a computer.
  
  You don't normally need banana plugs or anything fancy, unless you plan on swapping speakers regularly. If you use the £53 amp, check the plug that comes with it, some aren't fused / safe for UK.
  
  Hope this helps, and if anyone has any improvements, please reply, I'll probably be reposting this reply to any other similar UK questions.

Unfortunately £100 is just around the lower limit of the very-entry level, not really mid-range if we're going to be honest.

The easy solution is M-audio AV-40s. They are 'powered monitors' so the amplifier is inside, all you have to do is feed them signal.

Alternatively, you could go for "passive" bookshelf loudspeakers and an amplifier. The advantage to this route is that you can upgrade the speakers or amp separately (edit: also each individual component is probably at least a bit better than the av40s, and if anything ever fails it can be replaced separately; it's just more flexible overall). There's some extra work involved but it's not difficult..

These Wharfedale 9.0 should be good for the price (the Diamond 9.1 were reviewed by Stereophile and they measure well for the price).

You'll need an amp, speaker wire, and some banana plugs are helpful. Oh, and probably a 3.5mm stereo to 2RCA cable to connect your 3.5mm source(s) to the amp.

How much better are either of these compared to tiny computer speakers like Logitech or Creative etc.? Much better.

Veg week 2 of clones obtained from my local medical collective. First nutrient feeding at half strength (3tsp/gallon of Fox Farm Big Bloom). LST started on all plants with the GDP starting 2 days later then the others. Did some minimal pruning after the LST settled to get things out of the dirt and clean out some leaves that weren't getting any light. Growth seemed to slow a bit for a few days, might have shocked them a bit from being rough with them, but they are doing great now. Thinking of extending my veg an extra week to compensate, will wait and see if that will even be necessary.

Noticed some small bite marks taken out of a leaf, so I decided not to take any chances and got some AzaMax and gave the girls a good shower at about 0.4% concentration. I will be following that up with a few more applications over the next couple weeks. I'm debating if I want to do a soil drench as well. I also got a gnat sticks that already caught one of the bastards.

Temps with lights on have remained stable around 79F and the RH about 40%. Lights off with fan at 20% temps get to 67F at the lowest and 50% RH at the highest. Also have some new goodies coming from Amazon in the next few days to improve my setup like an Oakton pH2 and rope hangers with metal internal gears instead of those cheapo plastic ones that came with my lights.

 

    Strains

Blue Dream - DJ Short x Santa Cruz Haze. 80% Sativa / 20% Indica. 7-8 week flower cycle

Boy Scout Cookies - Girl Scout Cookies Thin Mint x Pre-98 Bubba Kush. 60% Indica / 40% Sativa. 8 week flower cycle.

Darth Vader Haze - 4-way Black Haze Black Cross. 100% Sativa. 9-10 week flower cycle.

Grand Daddy Purple - Big Bud x Purple Urkle. Indicia Dominant. 8-9 week flower cycle.

 

 

Veg Week 1 Reddit Post - Album

I would go with a 4'x4' tent at the very least; the one you've linked is too small for a 1000W lamp. I'm doing 4x3x7 right now with 1000W and it's really not easy to keep it cool, I'll often hit 88-90F even with AC in the room. A little bit larger space and it would be much more comfortable.

What are your plans for a growing medium? This might be more important than anything else you're buying! There are also a million options between soil, coco, and the various hydro setups like DWC, ebb and flow, etc. I've had good results with coco coir. You might be best off starting with a decent soil like the Fox Farms lines - pH is much easier to manage in soil.

Speaking of, you also want a good pH meter, and pH up and down. Just get the General Hydroponics pH test kit - it's cheap and you'll have enough to fix pH for your entire grow. For a meter, I recommend this Oakton unit. You'll also want some pH calibration/storage fluid to maintain it properly.

if you want something simple and insanely well priced when compared to other nutrients then check out dyna-gro.

dynagro foliage pro + pro-tekt and you will be years above most other growers. just focus on your environment which IMHO is the most important thing.

what is good about dynagro is it has everything in it as a base nutrient. with most other products (botanicare, GH, and famously Adv Nutrients) the base leaves out C and MG and micro nutrients.

Protekt is a silica additive that makes the plants noticeably stronger and thicker healthier stems.

If you call dynagro's number you can get a starter kit with a PK booster (used around week 4 and 7 of flower).


If you only want to water once every few days I suggest a hempy bucket https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=98419

You can do a coco hempy bucket too and is very popular as well. if you decide to go that route make sure to grab some botanicare Calmag. So your list would be dynagro foliage pro/dynagro protekt/botanicare calmag.

You will 100% need to buy a PH meter and I strongly advise an EC/PPM meter. These are the ones I use

https://smile.amazon.com/Oakton-EcoTestr-Waterproof-Tester-Range/dp/B004G8PWAU/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1479005211&sr=8-13&keywords=ph+meter
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FPG89CE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In a hempy bucket and coco always PH to 5.5-6.2

If you were to put the plants in your pic in to a 3 gallon hempy bucket with vermiculite and perlite for the first 2-3 weeks you are going to want to water once every 2/3 days until a little bit of water flows out. Then when they get big once per day.

I would strongly, strongly suggest not using CFL's. It would be a better investment to get a 250-600w HPS. they are really cheap on amazon. If you go with 250w you dont want the plants to get bigger then a foot or so before you flip the schedule to 12 hours on and 12 hours off.

150W - LINK - Grow 1-4 small plants

600W - LINK - Grow 4-6 medium plants


Dont spend so much time on nutrients and what type of grow medium and focus mostly on keeping a good enviornment in terms of temp and humidity and fresh air. You also need to consider when you flower the room needs to be 100% dark. Even a tiny pinhole of light coming in can be very bad

scrog is basically hanging a net above your plants and then you use lst methods to weave your growth into the net, it keeps an even canopy so you get better use of available light

i would highly recommend a ph pen if you can swing it, i use just a cheapie i got from Amazon

PH Meter, Preciva Digital pH Meter with Large Backlit LCD Screen 0,00-14,00 pH Meas... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B071XFRLSN/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_XcTDDbA9R8V76

it's that one.

I've never heard of those nutes around my area, but after quick look online shows it has a lot of different components to it, i like simple myself

I'm using this for flower: https://www.neptunesharvest.com/rf191-1.html

it's been pretty nice and easy to use, with one bottle only and all, and my plants have loved it

No problemo!

This is a moderately pricey pen, but it's fantastic, I've owned two of them (one dried up because I forgot to add water to the cap(need to keep the sensor thing wet)). https://www.amazon.com/Bluelab-PENPH-Pen-Plant-Germination/dp/B005POOJHG/ref=asc_df_B005POOJHG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167118301188&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16523942976628365276&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033565&hvtargid=pla-311195096389&psc=1

If you can't afford to do that yet (I would recommend it in the future if you're going to grow, it's months and months and months of feeding every couple days, a good pen is a great benefit to your grow) then the Hanna one will work, but it is less reliable for the long run. https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/hi98103-checker-ph-tester-with-0-1-ph-resolution-hanna-instruments/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAw5_fBRCSARIsAGodhk_YcmPTvhggiq3-aAIYcxhWBLPLL8HVepUW0QgXr7QHghSiTX1SOREaAoMyEALw_wcB

Right on - what exact kind of soil are you using?

I just looked into buying one last year. There's not much under 40 that gives two decimal digits with good accuracy. I ended up inheriting this one that is $97. I'm not convinced that 2 digits is necessary for brewing, but I'm very happy with the Hanna.

If you're just getting into water chemistry and are looking to save money, I'd go with something like this. Good luck!

Well any calcium magnesium (calmag) will work but really, I'd recommend getting a TDS meter first. Your tap water may contain those nutrients. I'd check with your local municipalities and get a water report. I found mine online with some investigating so start there. It's important to know what's in your local water if you're using it. If you're unable to find out use RO water as it's normally without anything added or 0ppm, then use calmag at half/normal strength. You may or may not have hard water. Anything over 60 ppm is considered hard, according to Wikipedia. I can't stress enough the importance of having a TDS (ppm) reader. Here is a link for a tds meter to give you an idea how inexpensive they are. You're a fellow CDN I assume?

See what happens in the meantime with the tap water. Good luck.

+1 for Apera, I just decided on this one by them. It was ~15 dollars more expensive than the model you have, but the increased pH sensitivity as well as the fact that it includes storage solution was more than enough for me to be willing to shell out the few extra bucks. Also, another super cool feature of this model is that you can buy replacement probes if you ever damage your current one, which will save you money in the long run. These also seemed to have a consistently higher rating than any other pH pens I looked at on amazon, and their customer service is pretty stellar from what I've gathered. Look into these too OP!

DWC is pretty straightforward. Maybe look into Hydroguard to protect roots a bit more. Read instructions carefully. no light needs to go inside... so make sure you have a black bucket, opaque basket and enough medium in basket. Black air tubing not transparent. watch th PH with a good ph pen and EC with wand meter like this or this . aim for ph 5.5 to 6.5. Good luck, DWC is fun.

Found this video that has good info. dwc

The meter is a matter of preference. I would shop based on how it's calibrated...some use 6.86 and 4.01 solutions but meters that calibrate at 7 & 4 may be more expensive but those solutions are cheaper. I have had probes break too so don't go crazy on price. I like this one because of the case it comes with along with the calibrating fluid. I would also get some sort of dropper it will help to adjust your ph. If it is just clean water a single drop of ph down will lower the oh by several points. Aim for 5.5-6.5

Draining and replacing the water won't solve your issue right away. As long as the plant stays alive and growing it should be fine. If you can remove the plant out of the bucket and run some water over it for a few minutes and replace the water it would probably help.

Edit: found a photo of my tomato last year. This thing got like 8ft tall.

http://imgur.com/a/cpSRuql

I bought a digital meter and it works great and will save quite a bit, PH PEN hope it helps good luck op and stay strong friend:)

I wouldn't hit them with the AB until 2 weeks and even then I would start very low mix rate. I just popped 10 CaliConnect Blackwaters, fed at 2 weeks 450 PPM of HG COCO AB and had 3 take off, 3 burn, and 3 go decent. One was a tard, but anyways... Point is unless you know the strin you won't know how it can take it at such a young age.

Oakton pH Tester EcoTestr pH 2 $56.96

I had this one and it worked great, still have it, but if you're in this for the long haul and want to spend wisely I would save for this one...

Hanna Instruments HI 98129 pH/Conductivity/TDS and Temperature Tester

This will give you the PPM readings you need for learning your plants nutrient limits during the cycle. Although you will get an EC reading from the mix rates on your feed chart, and can mix accordingly, at this point you don't know the nurtrient content of your tap so whatever you add is on top of what's in the tap, and that can be dangerous in beginning development.

Although some recommend feeding in Hydro and Coco early in development, I don't feel it's necessary unless you're using Reverse Osmosis water, which is stripped of nearly all mineral content.

At early stage it's better to play safe if you don't know the strain because a burn at 2 weeks will slow you 1-2 weeks where as if you creep up nutrients later and find burn, the plant and root system will be large enough to counteract and limit the damage.

Edit: looking again at the pics i'm pretty certain they are suffering a bit of over-watering by the purple of the stems and yellowing of lower leaves. I'd hold off on watering for 3 days minimum, and not hit it again until you see a difference in the seedlings.

the ph pen i use is a bluelab although ive used an oakton both are good. You'll want calibration solution for it as well.

other gadgets? I like to use a paint stirrer on a portable drill to mix ferts. a couple of quality spray bottles and a pump sprayer is nice to have on hand.

Treat for common pests systemically don't wait for that oh shit moment. I treat all my young healthy plants (before they go into bud) with a combination of OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved products: Azamax (neem extract for mites),Serenade (powdery mildew and mold) and Monterey Garden Spray (leaf miners and budworms). I use each of these at least once each, often if you wait to treat until you notice problems, it's too late to get optimum results.

Recently I found an old Sony MHC-881 Hi-Fi system [MANUAL], the problem is the main section that houses the Radio, CD and Tape player is really just too big and heavy for the space I have.

What interested me was the two SS-H991 3 way speakers:

• 100W
  
  
• 8 Ohm
  
• 40Hz - 20kHz
  
• 0.9 % Distortion
  
• Mag Shield
  
• 17cm diameter Woofer
  
• 5cm diameter Tweeter
  
• 2cm diameter Super Tweeter
  
  There are also a pair of smaller speaker SS-SR991 I probably won't end up using but I think is worth mentioning.
  
  If I was to purchase an SMSL SA50 would it provide enough power to both 100W speakers (and produce a decent and loud enough sound) or would I have to get a stronger receiver, if so what would you guys recommend?
  
  The other option would be just to get myself a pair of WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 9.0's and use the SMSL SA50 with it.
  Thanks
  
  Edit: Formatting

Sure, happy to

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled or filtered water
  
• 1.5 TBSP additive free salt
  
• 1 lb. red jalapenos (or other hot red peppers of choice), halved, seeds & stems removed
  
• 1 lb. Thai red chilies (or other hot red peppers of choice), stems removed (seeds optional)
  
• 16 oz. sweet cherries (4 oz. in the ferment; 12 oz. added at blending), frozen or fresh (note that if using fresh, 16 oz. is the net weight AFTER the seeds are removed, so you’ll likely need more like 2 or more lbs.)
  
• 2 tsp garlic powder (post-ferment) OR 6-8 cloves fresh garlic in ferment
  
• 1 TBSP sugar (post-ferment)
  
• Optional: splash of white vinegar (post-ferment)
  
  Directions:
  
  1.) Rinse and prepare the peppers as described above.
  
  2.) Add the cherries and Thai chilies to the jar, and garlic if using fresh, followed by the larger jalapeno pieces.
  
  

3. Prepare the salt brine either by combining the salt in warm water and allowing it to cool, or shake them together vigorously in a tightly sealed jar. Then slowly add the brine to the ferment vessel.
   
   4.) About an inch before the jar is filled to the shoulder, add the weight, and continue pouring brine until all produce is submerged. It is important to have some distance from the top, as the water level will continue to rise as the produce releases moisture.
   
   5.) Apply the airlock lid and ferment for desired length. Suggested: Minimum one month. The pictures shown feature a nearly 3-month ferment.
   
   After the ferment:
   
   1.) Strain the brine from the peppers.
   
   2.) Transfer the peppers to the blender, add 1/2 cup of the reserved brine, 12oz. thawed frozen cherries, sugar, and garlic powder (unless fresh cloves were used in ferment). Blend on high for a few minutes. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add additional brine, blend, continuing to add brine and blend until desired consistency is achieved.
   
   3.) You may now store the sauce raw in the refrigerator, or go on to cook and/or pasteurize it.
   
   Raw sauce: This method preserves the probiotic bacteria in your ferment. If you can test the pH and confirm it is 3.2 or below, there will be no issues. If the pH is above this level, it is possible the added sugar and cherries can restart the ferment, which can create excessive pressure in the storage container. It is not suitable for mailing or room temperature storage. If you are close to 3.2, you may add vinegar until the correct pH is achieved. If not, refrigerator storage is an acceptable method, but the container should be monitored and the cap periodically loosened to release potential pressure build-up.
   
   Cooked sauce: Transfer the sauce to a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, simmering covered for around 20 minutes. You may then opt to blend the sauce further in the blender for several minutes while hot, which will create a very smooth, easily flowing sauce. You can add a splash of vinegar for flavor and to further reduce pH as well. To transfer to 5 oz. woozy bottles, use a bottling funnel.

Unfortunately, that meter probably wasn’t going to be very accurate or have a long life anyway. The cheapest meter I recommend is the 8689 model, which is about $70 from Thermoworks, but you can get it for about $45 from China. Probes are good for a year, maybe two, in most cases although some get a slightly longer life with excellent care. The probe on the 8689 is replaceable and readily available so you can figure about $18/year in equipment cost if your probe works for two years.

I’ve seen some users in this sub say this one is OK too, but I can’t vouch for it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ST3VTQ4?aaxitk=PfM4qruJcvUcFfTDj2w9mw

I use this 0.01 accuracy ATC pH meter that's about $40. It needs to be calibrated using 3 solutions (powders to be mixed with DI water included and you can get extras separately), but a better meter needs better calibration. Took me about 30m and it works great. Make sure to use grocery store distilled water or RO.

Apera Instruments makes very very good ph pens. I’ve had mine for many months and I’ve calibrated it 2 times. I didn’t even need to calibrate it the 2nd time. I just wanted to see if it was off after a couple months, but it was still good! It’s still correctly calibrated right now, which has been another couple months since I did it last

I know some people use the cheap 15-20$ Orange and yellow ones amazon has with some pretty good results. I would personally spend a tad bit more and get one from Apera if you can.

Here’s the one I have: Apera ph20

The most recommended pH meters run in the $120 to $150 range. I figured I did not want to ruin a good meter while I learn how to use, calibrate, and store a pH meter, so I picked up this $40 one (the reviews seemed better than the $20 ones).

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-meter-PH100-V-Resolution-Accuracy-Measurement/dp/B00ST3VTQ4

There are plenty of threads on pH meters if you search this subreddit.

I don't have a TDS meter, but I get the impression that the under $20 ones are fine for the job. I am not positive what use a TDS meter plays in brewing. I could see where it might be useful for checking RO water, or maybe getting a feel for how much your tap water varies month to month. Do others find a TDS meter useful?

Two questions. First, I bought this pH meter. Reviews seemed generally positive, but I found even having it sit still in calibrating solution for an hour it jumps around SO much which seemed to make it unusable. Is this common? Are there other products that zero in on a pH value better and don't cost a fortune?

Second, I bought this refractometer. Seemed to work very well for OG measurement as compared to my hygrometer. Can someone clarify, can I use this for later SG measurements? Based on discussion, I must use the Brix scale, then convert to SG?

As long as you don't get lazy and start cutting corners, or experimenting too much before you're ready, you'll see steady improvement.

IMO, stick to the directions and LST for a couple grows until you've got it down to where you really aren't having to look up each step and you aren't making any little mistakes causing the plants stress. Then try some HST like Super Cropping to increase your yield even more.

If you plan on continuing to grow, my best advice is to invest in a good pH meter like this one. and measure the pH of your runoff so you know if your soil pH is drifting and compensate on your next watering by going up or down by .2 or so. Keep it between 6.3 and 6.8. Beware of cheap pH meters, they need to be recalibrated constantly to be even remotely reliable.

>I've been neglecting to ph my water and so far It hasn't been necessary.

That's the thing with soil grows :) It's a more forgiving medium because it does take longer to make changes. But this can make it really difficult at times in determining what's out of whack.

Liquid/paper pH kits are a good start, but an actual pH meter is really the only way to go. You can find them around $20 on Amazon
Link

If you determine your soil pH we can use that value to find what nutrients may have gotten locked out. A good way to do this is to pH your water before adding it, and then pHing the runoff water that comes out of the bottom of the pot. If you put in 7.0 and it drained out at 6.5, you know your soil pH had to be around a 6.0 to influence that change.

Based on the nute deficiencies showing I'm guessing acidic as well. (P - Ca - Mg will lock out first from acidic soil) Pick up some pH up/down solution and simply be sure to water in the correct range after this. (6.5-7.0) I don't have experience with wood ash, but soil additives typically take a while to break down and release fully. No time! :)

If your pH is severely off you'll want to flush, but your plant doesn't seem that upset yet.

I and others have been happy with the Milwaukee MW-101 and MW-102 meters. The 102 has automatic temperature correction (ATC) (and possibly higher quality electronics inside), which corrects for the probe's temperature dependence, but not the actual pH shift that happens in a fluid. I got mine for like $65 or so, but it looks like that price doesn't really happen anymore. Camelcamelcamel suggests that Amazon's current price is close to a record high.

Yours probably works, though! Just get some calibration solutions for it. That's way cheaper than getting a nice meter.

Yes. I have done a few batches this year and ran the mash through a food mill on the finest strainer. I then mixed the yield with rice vinegar at a 2:1 ratio with 2 parts mash, 1 part vinegar. I chose rice vinegar for the low flavor profile, but it would be fun to try different vinegars or even try a home made vinegar.

Edit: I had some pretty active mash, so I bought an affordable PH Meter like this one. You want your finished product below 4.0 PH or you could have some explosive results (I learned that the hard way!).

In that size tent I'd probably stick with 3 gal. I'm getting ready to do my first autos in a 4'x2' and I'm probably only going to do 2 plants in 5 gal. Because when I did that with photoperiods (vegged 45 days) with lst and scroging my tent was absolutely full. Feel like 3 autos would get too big for the tent. May take a couple of clones in case turns out I have extra room.

You also didn't specify what, I'm assuming soil, but would help with nute recommendation.

Highly suggest getting recharge, even if just a couple cheap sample packs, it helps so much.

Also skip the $10 PH pens. Get PH up and down with the test kit. And get one like this Apera Instruments PH20 or the $80 Blue labs if you want to splurge.

With a lab-style ph meter, like this one or this one. I use the oakton because it is temperature corrected, whereas other meters require you test a solution at a specific temperature for an accurate reading. You use them to test the runoff water when you water the plants. You measure the PH of the water you put into the pot, and see how much it changes when it comes out, which will give you an idea about the PH level of your soil. For instance, if I measured my water to be 7.0 going in, and found it to be 5.8 coming out, I would know my soil is at least 5.8 on the ph scale or lower. However, I find that just measuring the PH of what I put in, the runoff doesn't matter so much, if the soil is properly prepared. I would go on, but I'll stop myself here for the sake a brevity; there's plenty to learn if you seek the information.

Having said that, I will say there are some soil probe type meters that work well, but you have to calibrate it, and care for and store the electrode properly, which can get difficult because the electrodes are often very long and don't have a cap/case to hold storage solution. Though, it does require you mix water with your soil for the electrode to get a proper reading, so really testing the runoff is the same as (properly) using a soil probe, but the lab meters will be more accurate, easier to use, calibrate, store, and care for properly.


edit: oh yeah, PH indicator drops can also be used, but they are not nearly as accurate or reliable, and can sometimes be difficult to read since your runoff solution will not be perfectly clear.

reliable Ph meter from my own experience is the most important thing. I PH test my water everytime, and check runoff every once in awhile. I'm on my first grow as well. CFL. Here's the PH meter I use from amazon that has been great!and cheap. http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-PH600AQ-Tester-Calibration/dp/B005H78ZI0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331514593&sr=8-1

I also got that PPM blue meter as well. Good luck!

well i just got out in the kitchen and experimented. I took ingredients that i thought sounded good together but i took into consideration the pH of things. Thats where vinegar comes in. in order to be shelf stable it has to have a pH of 3.9 or below (as per FDA regulations).

A very simple hot sauce would be Peaches, yellow ghosts, fataliis, and pineapple with some cider vinegar and agave nectar. or you can go the savory route with fresh smoked ghost peppers, pears, white vinegar, garlic, and a touch of salt.

to find the pH you can either use litmus paper or a good pH pen like this

and check this out: http://thehotpepper.com/topic/29501-making-hot-sauce-101/

These will be significantly better than the Miccas. Really great smaller speakers. If you want something bigger the 9.1s would be excellent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wharfedale-9-0-Black/dp/B00A1E94J8

Yeah I didn't go into it expecting much (an ounce or two) so we'll see what it comes out too, i'll be happy to get that.

Here are the links for the meters I get. I tested the ph meter and compared it to drops and it is spot on. Not sure about the ppm one but it got good reviews.

PPM Meter

PH Meter

Thanks for checking out my grow!

I'm not as well versed in orchids as i am in cacti, but i still do.
Most (of course there are exceptions.. as usual) orchids are epiphytes which means they grown on some trees and their roots dont even contact any kind of soil; they just grip on to branches.
So their soil requirements are rather special as well; you can keep a lot of orchids in very rough bark mulch or even just cut up pieces of cork. Compact soil that keeps moisture for too long will make their roots rot.


The next issue with their usual habitat is the water - what they get is mostly rainwater with a few diluted minerals; they get some nutrients from whatever rotting piece of plant debris or bark they are sitting on.
Compare that to what we usually get from our taps; very mineral rich, hard water. Most orchids dont like that very much. Phalaenopsis can pretty much deal with it, but still prefer softer water.


If you really wanna get into the details get one of these things: https://www.amazon.com/Water-Quality-Meter-Pancellent-Temperature/dp/B06XCMNFVQ


I usually water my orchids with distilled water that has been buffed up to a conductivity of 300µS/cm with orchid fertilizer, since the water from my tap is too hard for any kind of orchid.

OK, so you can add any sugary juice that isn't super acidic. If you do want to use a very acidic juice (like lemon or orange) you will need to do something to take it down a notch.

During fermentation, the pH you should shoot for is 3.7 to 4.0, otherwise you risk the yeast activity ending up reduced.

You can either get a pH test kit, but make sure it checks for pH in this range, most pool ones do a different range. Soil or hydro kits should probably be ok.

I bought THIS one and am very happy with it. It was a little more money, but it's not by any stretch expensive.

Might work. Problem you will run into is that your single exhaust is going to pull from each tent evenly. So you'll have too much airflow in the veg tent, and too little in the flower. You can fight that using passive intake for the 2x4'. Or possibly just controlling how open the intakes are.

Make sure you are buying an inline filter. Which is more expensive than the usual ones. I run this Phresh model.

I do something similar, but with three 4x4' tents. Each has it's own 4" inline, and they all exhaust to a single 6" inline filter with a 6" inline fan hooked to it. It works well, but I do have to keep all the 4" fans running minimally, to keep air moving the right direction--this seemed easier than installing duct dampers.

Really, since you haven't purchased yet, I would run a 6" duct fan in the 3 x 20" tent, and a 4" inline fan hooked to a 4" carbon filter in the 2x4'. Skip the combined filter and fan. You don't really need a carbon filter for veg. That'll still let you exhaust to a single opening. Also, run the duct splitter as close to the outside opening as possible, to avoid one fan blowing back into the other tent.

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.

First off, in order to use a pH meter, you must calibrate it every. single. time. Or at least once a week. They're notorious for drifting even when stored correctly. You will need 4.0 and 7.0 calibration solutions, they're sold as powder or in liquid form. You should also have probe cleaning and probe storage solution. Contact lens solution (not hydrogen peroxide stuff) can work as probe cleaning solution in this context, as it works well on organics in a gentle way.

Unfortunately the $10 specials aren't really that great, and you won't get really repeatable results until you hit about the $35-$50 price point. At this price point they should start to have replaceable probes. e.g.: this or this . I'm pretty sure /u/chino_brews knows the specific generic design name of the 2nd one I linked, lots of different vendors have a house brand white box version of it. Fisher Scientific design that went off patent, can't remember the number.

About $80. It's a lower-mid tier Apera. You could get one of their $40-$50 and I'm sure you'd be fine. They come in an awesome little case with a foam insert to hold the meter, testing cups, and calibration liquid. Here's a link if you're interested: https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1520625309&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=apera&psc=1

Does anyone have experience with this pH meter?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Seems to have good reviews on Amazon but not much in the way from homebrewers. Looks like a nice unit, just want to make sure no one has had issues.

This is the PH tester I ended up purchasing. Middle of the road with lots of opportunities to upgrade. Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_LIm2DbA22PH0B


Your advice on the soil composition has been super helpful. I just ordered some additional perlite as I learned my mix is very light on non organics for airspace. I didn't even think about this until you posted. I ended up purchasing a 1 gal sprayer with a low pressure sprayer I'll post pics when it arrives. After some reads on other posts, I makes a lot of sense for reach and east of gentle watering (again, I never thought about this!).

Can you tell me a little more about recharge? I'm really unfamiliar. I'm pretty versed on compost teas but is there something to consider more into flower or late stage pre flush that has worked well for you? Again, I'm trying to do an entirely organic grow if possible.

https://www.amazon.com/Bluelab-PENPH-Pen-Plant-Germination/dp/B005POOJHG/ref=asc_df_B005POOJHG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167118301188&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15543687523906767160&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030904&hvtargid=pla-311195096389&psc=1

We use these on a commercial grow. 1000+ plants, 65 resi’s.
only have 4 of these meters and only have to replace one about every year. Kinda pricey, but accurate, dependable, and very well built.
Just try not to drop it into hard surfaces, that seems to do them in pretty quickly lol.
If your grow is set up somewhat permanently, I’d go with the Bluelab guardian. Forget ph’ing every again

I paid 13.95 I have dropped it twice in the reservoir and it works accurately every time and bonus, I don't feel bad if it breaks.

I love this cheap ph pen: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N7432II?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

How much was the LP120?

In the UK, the Rega Planar 1 may not be that much more at £250. It's 30% more in the US and almost twice the price of the ATLP120XUSB in the US! Though you would need to also buy a Rega Fono Mini A2D Phono Pre-Amplifier for £90.

First consider looking for a used stereo or AV receiver and a pair of passive bookshelf speakers.

I recommend a mini amp if you are short on space and cash paired with passive bookshelf speakers. Then you can later upgrade one part at a time.

• Mini amps: Nobsound Mini £27, SMSL SA-50 £58 or with more inputs and a remote, a SMSL SA-50 PLUS £80.
  
• Speakers: Mordaunt Short M10 £60, Wharfedale 9.0 Black £60 or Tannoy Eclipse 1 £80 plus some speaker wire.
  
  If going with low budget powered speakers, Edifier R1280DB £130.
  
  Home Audio Guides: Intro to home stereo systems • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • Guide to Home Audio • AverageJoeAudiophile's Guides • How to position your speakers for great sound – U-Turn Audio • Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening

This is really cheap and works well and comes with buffer solution I would just get the whole kit. And then you have a backup meter. Takes a few weeks to ship. LCD Digital PH Meter Tester Water Quality Ph Purity Filter (With calibration buffer solution , screwdriver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESCZEHK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_75JGub09TXDZ3

This one comes with an extra pack of solution. CyberTech PHTester PH-107 Digital pH Meter Tester, With 2 Pack of Calibration Solution Mixture Included. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KGKCRA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_B7JGub03YZ51H

going shopping? Here is a list

but seriously now, do you have fertilizer dedicated to veg and flower? If you don't already, maybe a pH pen to make sure you water is properly pH'ed. If you're worried about smell, maybe a carbon filter?

You have most of the essentials right now. The light, the timer, the grow tent environment (mylar). All I could really think of I added above. Good luck with the grow!

Bluelab Ph Pen is one of the best pen style digital Ph meters available. Do a Google search and see what others say. I loved mine when I had it. I had to sell it when I moved.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005POOJHG?pc_redir=1413174374&robot_redir=1

I would hope it works well. Double the price of the one I have which works great:

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-meter-PH100-V-Resolution-Accuracy-Measurement/dp/B00ST3VTQ4/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=ph+meter&qid=1549900925&s=industrial&sr=1-5

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.

The most important tool i have is:

Oakton ph2 pen with calibration solution(s). Proper ph adjusting base and acid too.

Bonus:
HPS lighting as its usually cheap and very effective. LED is still expensive.

lots of jars to store the massive harvests you will get.

If you have ever used the common march 809 pump most brewers use then you would see how much it sucks. The march 809 is a pain in the ass to use because it must be primed, can easily cavitate, and only works in one direction. A peristaltic pump on the other hand can be run forwards and backwards, is self-priming, and is more easy to sterilize by design. They are used pretty often in labs for all kinds of things especially medical.

Pouring things between flasks is fine for the most part. It was just something to consider.

Buy a nice used on one ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TESTED-Cole-Parmer-L-S-Masterflex-Peristaltic-Pump-7553-00-HELP-ORPHANS-H-/160833661031?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item25726ee867

Another thing you need:

Aeration equipment

pH meter w/ 4.0 calibration solution

Such as:
http://www.williamsbrewing.com/WILLIAMS-OXYGEN-AERATION-SYSTEM-P699.aspx

and this:
http://www.amazon.com/Oakton-EcoTestr-Waterproof-Tester-Range/dp/B004G8PWAU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1348059104&sr=8-5&keywords=pH+meter

Have you any interest in a ph meter? THey aren't super expensive, and are really useful in your brew kit. I also use mine to test viability of starsan solution, and they could be used to test "sourness" of a lacto ferment. At least you'd know ahead of time if there are fluctuations in your base water, which would explain mash fluctuations.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNSEZH2/

I use a baking soda solution and acetic acid (vinegar) to calibrate mine on the cheap.

problem the cheap ones will drift constantly giving you massive ph lockouts. buy a good one and it lasts forever as long as you take care of it. amazon sells Oakton ph testers for a fair price. http://www.amazon.com/Oakton-EcoTestr-Waterproof-Tester-Range/dp/B004G8PWAU

Been using it for a couple years. works great and easy to calibrate. Get yourself some pH solutions for calibration which i do every grow. Dr.meter PH100-V 0.01 Resolution High Accuracy Pocket Size pH Meter with ATC, 0-14pH Measurement Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ST3VTQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QDJ2Db1TBW961

the only advice i can offer is that this ph pen is very reliable and only $13 lol. im interested to see what others say because my friends plants has exactly the same issue
https://www.amazon.com/Tester-PH-009-Digital-Meter-Calibration/dp/B00N7432II/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466896770&sr=8-1&keywords=ph+pen

I think I might have the same set or something similar. It is about $80 off of Amazon though I think I got mine cheaper/on sale. [Here's a link] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aQiACb0BWZMW9). Mine works pretty well and holds the calibration decently between days. I usually use mine for hot sauces since a lot of mine were thicker and bold colors which makes pH strips harder to use.

Get this one! Apera Instruments AI209 PH20 Value Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range, Complete Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hxqlzb549NGB6


I use www.fakespot.com for everything I buy on Amazon, this site verifies if reviews are made up or actual people. I love the site. And they say this PH pen is legit

Just received this ph meter today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-iXpzb0Y5RXN0

Was really easy to calibrate and not too expensive imo. Will update with any issues, but so far it's perfect for my needs.

I actually have and use almost the exact same one. Looks like it might be the next generation of the same pen.

Anyhow, it's worked good for me for well over a year.

Did you make sure to keep the electrode in electrode storage soultion when not in use? If not the electrode can rust out and fail pretty quickly on any PH meter.

This is what I replaced my cheap yellow one with, and I couldn’t be any happier with it. It comes with a nice case, batteries, and calibration solution:
Apera Instruments AI209 PH20... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Temperature-Compensation-Measurement-Resolution/dp/B00LNSEZH2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1421335703&sr=8-4&keywords=dr+ph+meter

This is the one I have. Good because it reads in .01 resolution. Reads out just fine. Just make sure you purchase 4 and 7 pH calibration solution, as well as storage solution so the electrode doesn't wear out. I'm sure the more expensive ones are tres better, but I don't have that kind of a budget.

I've coded these posts to upload automatically every week. hope you enjoy the timelapse!

Days from germination: 52

Seeds

• 2 Tangerine Dream - Growers Choice
  
• 2 Critical Purple - Growers Choice
  
• 1 Blue Dragon - From a friend.
  
  

  Medium
  

• coco coir
  
• 5 gallon fabric pots
  
  

  Schedule
  

  
  

• 24 Hours on
  
  

  Nutrients
  

  
  

• Cann A+B
  
  

  Grow Setup:
  

  
  |Item|Link|Price|
  |:--|:--|:--|
  |grow tent| https://amzn.to/2oeJ92h |$110|
  |inline fan| https://amzn.to/2p47iJb |$102|
  |grow lights x 2 | https://amzn.to/2nBbdNn |$540|
  |blurple light | https://amzn.to/2p3ZaII | $100|
  |humidifier| https://amzn.to/2nBQzwC | $71|
  |tower fan| https://amzn.to/2nBQzwC | $47|
  |clip fans| https://amzn.to/2paof53 | $21|
  |grow bags| https://amzn.to/2ontyNK | $13|
  |coco coir x 2| https://amzn.to/2omfi80 | $50
  
  
  

  some other items:
  

  
  |Item|Link|Price|
  |:--|:--|:--|
  | humidity monitor| https://amzn.to/2p47fNy | $10|
  | eye wear| https://amzn.to/2oloARE | $15|
  | raspberry pi| https://amzn.to/2nrAvO5 | $50|
  | webcam x 2| https://amzn.to/2og81H4 | $70|
  | ph tester| https://amzn.to/2mJiA4R | $15|
  
  

• something i've probably forgotten
  
  
  All in all it's cost just under $1000 USD

Carbon scrubber

measuring glass/syringe

If you're doing hydro there are other nutrients I might recommend getting.

I know a lot of pH pens have bad reviews, this is probably the best one I've seen for the money, no idea if yours is good:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004G8PWAU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_11?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Also if you're not necessarily set on LEDs you can get an equivalent/better, MH/HPS light.

If you do go for a better light for the same/less price you could also go with a larger tent. This one isn't very much more but it can support a larger light, and it has some real decent reviews. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9NGP8C/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I think we found your problem! These things are inaccurate! You can't have a good PH reading without a nice PH pen. Plus it's your water that you should test not the soil. The soil it's just to check if everything is fine and you can check it with a PH pen too. Water your plant, wait for the runoff, take this runoff and check the PH.

Don't look further and buy a nice PH pen, I have this one, pretty happy with it.

I'm debating between two PH meters: The Milwaukee MW101 or the Milwaukee MW102. Does anyone own either? Can anyone recommend a meter that is under $100 that they love?

First thing I would invest in is PH Drops (with up/down) if you are on a budget. And as soon as you can afford it get a PH Pen

The soil should be changed out to something better like Fox Farms Ocean Forest or Roots Organics Original. You can also look into making your own soil out of things you can find at menards/home depot/amazon

I make a hotsauce (that we then add butter to before using, not before canning though!) and it's simply peppers I grow, garlic, and vinegar.
It's not an approved recipe, so this sub suggested I test the pH on it (and I bought this kit which works really well) to check batches as I make them - it consistently tests at 3.2, which is safe. However, I test it multiple times to make sure its not an error, and make sure you ALWAYS calibrate according to the instructions!

That works for what I do, but I can't be certain about tomato sauce; I'd err on the side of caution for that and stick to approved and tested recipes.

I got this Apera Instruments pH pen style meter. It was about 0.2 out of calibration after ~2 months of use, it takes about 30 - 45 seconds for the pH to stop slowly changing... really annoying. It's fairly reliable but slow. Overall I'm fairly happy with it as a new grower, definitely meets my needs.

I can't find the post, but somewhere I know I added this to my Amazon wish list at brulosopher's suggestion:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CH3QZSE/

Only $12

edit: Found /u/brulosopher's blog post here where he recommends that pH meter

Sticking with Apera I recommend the PH60.
https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Replaceable tips are awesome!

If you're concerned about it, might as well test yourself. See this video: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/testing-your-diet-with-pee-purple-cabbage/

You could also use a cheap pH meter like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PU0W35K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2KV19AYUKS3X0

If you're worried about metabolic acidosis, just eat more vegetables: http://nutritionfacts.org/video/increasing-protein-intake-age-65/

If you want to take it a step further, you could install a RO water system, like this one with 6 stages. The 6th stage is an alkaline remineralization filter, and you could buy more of the alkaline filters and daisy chain them until you get to your desired alkaline pH level (using the aforementioned pH meter).

It looks like apera makes one that is not as expensive as Oaktons, and has better reviews than both Oakton and blulab. Ever heard of this thing?

Apera Instruments AI209 PH20 Value Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range, Complete Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.RShzb4EVA98F

i went through 2 cheap ones before just buying this one and it has been perfect for almost two years. we only really calibrate maybe once/round and it's usually not even 0.1 off. it's also waterproof which can be handy depending on how you grow and how clumsy you are :)

Thank you, there aren't many post here with people that have used MC so it's great to get some recent info. I will flush them tonight and give them only pHd water for one feeding and then go to 0.75x of MC and a lesser frequency for Recharge. I also decided to finally splurge a little bit on a Bluelabs pH meter and hopefully not have it break on me like the cheap one I first got; it just arrived, actually.

If you are going to mix nutrient solution, a TDS meter is a good thing to have.

I have a cheap one like this, which has worked for a few years.

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Meter-TDS-3C-Quality-Resolution-Accuracy/dp/B00KSTZGNE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1465506180&sr=8-8&keywords=tds+ppm+meter

I'm a big fan of this:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B005POOJHG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498767108&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bluelab+ph+pen&dpPl=1&dpID=41k7gjUUstL&ref=plSrch

I've used one myself for 2 years and it is quick and stable, temperature compensating up to 50C. After using mine for 6 months, the brewery at wich I work bought one too! Bluelab has a good reputation for high quality, durable products and that has been my experience with this pH Pen.

If you read enough reviews about any pH meter you'll find there are flaws in all the reasonably priced ones, eventually. I've had this Oaktron for 2 years. It worked fantastically for about 1.5yrs then I needed to calibrate almost every time I used it. Now it won't even calibrate anymore. It was about $42 when I bought it and the price has gone up. I won't buy another for how much it gets used.

I considered buying a Milwaukee or Hannah but the $100-$170 models have some serious poor reviews for valid reasons. These ones tend to have replaceable electrode but from what I understand they are costly and don't always mean long term life. If I were a pro brewer I wouldn't hesitate to buy a scientific pH meter cost several hundred but as a homebrewer (who knows the water he's working with and approximate adjustments for different color/style beers) I couldn't justify it.

So I went with this $30 2 pack which so far has some pretty great reviews and if the two only last me 3 years I'm ahead of the last one.

I use the this Apera I bought from amazon.
Have had it for a while and hasn't failed yet. I follow manufacturer instructions on storage. I check the calibration once every couple months and it hasn't needed calibration in about a year now. I bought extra storage solution KCl from amazon as well. https://www.amazon.ca/Apera-Instruments-Waterproof-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=oh_aui_i_sh_in_o0_img

Pick up These speakers, this SMSL amp, funny that the product is listed in feet but this speaker wire should be more than adequate. The cable used to connect to your SMSL amp depends on what you will be playing music from.

I have the thermoworks 8689. It seemed to never lock on to a pH, any temperature fluctuation would change the readout even though it has ATC. It also rarely showed that I hit my expected mash pH. I switched to this: Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_u1i2DbFX4E7XX. Have only used it twice but both times it showed I hit my expected mash ph, it stayed steady, and this all without calibration. Last brew day, I used both, the apera matched my target, so I calibrated the thermoworks and it still did not match. Happy with the apera, but with two different pH readings I have no idea which is correct. Apera is matching my target so I'm inclined to believe it. The apera also comes in a nice case and is easier to keep stored in solution.

You can get the MW-101 for $89. It doesn't have the auto temp correction (you have to do it manually using the dial), but it's pretty much the same thing as long as you cool your wort to room temp. From what I've read taking readings of hot wort is bad for the probe and you should cool it down anyway.

Bonus: I got mine from Amazon's Warehouse (look for the link at the bottom of the page). They aren't in stock right now, but I think I got a damaged box one and it was $65 or so.

Us or Canada? Cuz he linked Canadian amazon. Apera also has a really good cheaper model that i use.

Apera Instruments AI209 PH20 Value Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range, Complete Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OZpvCbD6G9EE5

This looks like the cheapest decent new integrated amp or receiver available where you are at. I think that works out to about 150 euros.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer--10-K-50W-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B0082JFKPQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459372804&sr=8-2&keywords=stereo+receiver

Here are some inexpensive speakers that should be pretty decent:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wharfedale-9-0-Black/dp/B00A1E94J8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459372974&sr=8-1&keywords=wharfedale+speakers


Phono pre:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Project-Phono-Turntable-Pre-Amplifier-White/dp/B00KWTK086/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459373098&sr=8-2&keywords=project+mm+phono

You'll need some speaker stands, a roll of copper speaker wire, and some wire strippers to get it all set up properly.

Yeah I did calibrate it, albeit 2 weeks ago or so.

I got 8 vs 6.4 when I tested it today, going to try hydro for the first time.

it was this one came with FREE calibration powder.....

the Bluelabs gear is nice if you have the money.

I bought a simple $15 PH600 on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-PH600AQ-Tester-Calibration/dp/B005H78ZI0/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1334068927&sr=1-1

and just as cheap a TDS meter

http://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-TDS-EZ-Tester-Purity/dp/B002C0A7ZY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334068952&sr=8-2

both work incredibly well

Give this a try.

Good luck!

what IS a quality pH meter? One of my books recommends the bluelab multi reader but they are in the $200 range.
Is this a necessary item? Thanks for the response!

https://www.getbluelab.com/

EDIT: They also have this pen in the $70 range, but the reviews are mixed for whether it is accurate or not. What do most people use, disposable pH strips on the runoff water?
https://www.amazon.com/Bluelab-PENPH-Pen-Plant-Germination/dp/B005POOJHG/

I use this.

It's cheap, and has been reliable for over a year. I have compared results to the pH meter with the fresh water master kit, and it's been pretty solid.

Phresh in-line filter 6in.

https://www.amazon.com/Phresh-Inline-Filter-500-CFM/dp/B00CJIMUH2/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_4?keywords=phresh+inline+filter+6+in+500+cfm&qid=1558392827&s=gateway&sprefix=phresh+in&sr=8-4-fkmrnull

By FAR the best I’ve ever used... worth every dollar

I wanted to try testing the ph of my products and I was wondering if there was something better than the strips.
I fount this in amazon. It's for testing the ph of pools but it looks like it could work for cosmetics? I have done a quick search but I only found people using the stribs in the subreddit (maybe I didn't search correctly), anyone used something similar to this?

If the leaves that are turning brown are touching the soil, I would consider that the reason. If not, possibly a ph issue? I would definitely invest in an accurate meter regardless. I use this and haven't had any issues, but most people will recommend the Oakton

YOu can pick any ppm meter. That are many solid one.

As for Ph meter. I liked this kit I bought. Extra batteries, lanyard and solution to keep your meter calibrated.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-Value-Pocket-Tester/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_20?keywords=ph+meter&qid=1555858764&s=gateway&sr=8-20

I use this bad boy, which is a little above your price range, but I love him.

Before that, I used this pH meter pen, which was pretty good. It was kind of a pain to calibrate, but it was very accurate once calibrated.

> Use Environment: RH 95%, 0-50℃（32～122℉ )

Listed right in the item description.

For what it's worth, I picked up this one and it's been great.

That's a good question. I bet the larger amount of water in the full volume mash plays a very significant role in pH.

Also, this is the pH meter I got: https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-Waterproof-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1494965834&sr=8-4&keywords=apera%2Bph%2Bmeter&th=1

It's the most affordable one I've found that has +/- 0.01 precision and automatic temperature compensation.

I have an Apera pen and it works really well. I like it for sure.
I used to use the drops suck, and they suck. It's hard to get an accurate reading. The pen is great for accurate readings, but it takes up to 20 seconds to fix on the correct pH, which at times feels like forever.

This is the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499548253&sr=8-2&keywords=ph+pen

Its as simple as dip a piece of the strip in the water and compare the color it turns to the little chart. (Under white light) its not instant or as dead accurate as a good meter but its still not hard by any means.

This is the meter I've seen recommended most often and the guy at my local "gardening" store recommended: http://www.amazon.com/Bluelab-pH-Pen-Measuring-Temperature/dp/B005POOJHG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451480751&sr=8-4&keywords=ph+meter+blue

Also, to keep your meter working well, you need to do maintenance. This is that brands starter kit: http://www.amazon.com/Bluelab-Probe-Conductivity-Accurate-CAREKITPHCON/dp/B00GG9C16U/ref=pd_bxgy_86_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1BERVZZ3C2K3GR5MZ856

Got this last fall and I've been pretty happy with it https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I even broke one of the probes (my stupidity, not the fault of the unit) and it was very easy to get a replacement probe by itself

Thanks for your comment on the PH tester, i got this one but for only $36! : )!

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_14574843011

https://www.wettesonline.com/products/instruments-ph-ai311-range-ph60-ph-tester--plusmn-001--200-1600-ph-pocket-premium-apera-probe-accuracy-replaceable-waterproof

Weird site, goodness only knows what they’ll mail me.

Yeah I might as well, they seem cheap enough like this one

What are you using for a grow medium?

This is my 3rd grow with both Durban Poison and Blue Mystic and they've both been super easy, to be honest. I had some PH issues on my first grow because I over analyzed my meter and fucked with the PH down too much. I also treated the coco like soil and only watered every 4-5 days, AND I used plain PH'd water with just CaliMag added every other watering.

Now I just add 1ml of PH down per gallon every time regardless of what nutrient ratios are, and I water with nutrients every time, every other day. I only check PH every other or every third watering with the test solution, and as long as it's yellow-ish without too much of a green or orange tint I don't worry about it.

http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-GH1514-Control-Kit/dp/B000BNKWZY

Kit comes with test indicator. Although with a 50gal tank, you might want a bigger quantity than the 8fl.oz bottles there. Getting a digital pH tester will save some time as well.

I recommend going with a decent pH monitor such as https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_RqzDSILjV3I1E

I tried a cheap one and it really wasn't a good move. Super unstable, had to recalibrate every use. This one is great. Very accurate and stable.

You also might want a ppm meter. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VZBVWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_rpib6Duu2kfGY

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PU0W35K

Cheap and easy. Get 2, you will thank me later.

I have this one and this I have been happy with both also I hear the strips are the way to go if you want the cheapest most reliable

This is what I use. Works pretty well for mashing and for checking StarSan, and for mead/wine-making.

I love this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004G8PWAU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Bluelab-pH-Pen-Measuring-Temperature/dp/B005POOJHG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480919988&sr=8-1&keywords=bluelabs+ph+pen

Probably the best pen you can get :P

I use this one it's supposed to be ±0.02 accuracy, and I am using it with the proper calibration buffers (I used to work in a testing lab, so I'm familiar enough with the maintenance)

So, idk. I'm going to try a different bacteria next attempt and hope for better results.

I finally found and purchased these that have a 0-14 pH testing range, on Amazon. I think for increments smaller than 1 your best bet is to get a digital pH meter (something like this), but those can be pricey.

Anyone know what the pH meter in one of the photos is? I've been looking at this one but am hoping to find any reasonably priced option.

On an relrated note, does anyone know of a decent all grain Mosaic Belgian IPA recipe?

E: Hyperlink formatting

Honestly, you can do much better for your money... There are kits in the Starter Shopping Lists to the right on the sidebar.

I was wondering the other day what exactly I would need for a turn-key grow setup, and put the following together. Mind you, this is not TOP of the line shit, but it will absolutely get you into the hobby!

600W Tube / Timer / MH & HPS Bulbs / Hangars / Ballast - $157.50

6 Inch Carbon Filter / 440CFM Fan - $149.75

25 Ft. 6 Inch Ducting - $19.10

48 x 48 x 78 Tent - $139.99

FFOF - $18.99

General Hydroponics Go Box Starter Kit - $35.95

CALIBER IV DIGITAL HYGROMETER - $19.23

Smart Pot Container - Pack of Five - $20.65

Micro-Tip Pruning Snip - $10.19

Light Duty Soft Wire Tie - $7.84

PH & Temperature Meter - $79.95

Water Quality TDS Tester - $15.59

LED Handheld Microscope - $16.81

Total just under 700$ and you are getting a LOT more for your money.

Don't blindly take that list, shop around, deal hunt, and do the research! There are many hidden costs associated with growing ><

I have this one - https://www.amazon.ca/Digital-Dr-meter-Resolution-Accuracy-Measurement/dp/B00ST3VTQ4/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=dr+meter&qid=1558368922&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

​

I'm using distilled water (sanity checked it pH) and if I take soil and mix it up in the water it's 6.5. I'll try some more samples. Thanks for the direction! Is it salvageable?

For the PH meter I am very happy with the Apera and it comes with calibration liquid.

I bought the one you have listed and it wasn’t even useable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOHN8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519078771&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=apera+ph+meter&dpPl=1&dpID=31-1THhTjuL&ref=plSrch

Apera Instruments AI209 PH20 Value Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range, Complete Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_B.ftzbRZX6JX1

Edit: Time to transplant, they look big enough and the solo cups have shallow soil to begin with.

Edit2: looks like you have more perlite than soil, I would do a light n feeding after transplant.

I’d guess this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have it as well, and highly recommend it.

This is the one I bought. I love it, quick and stable readings. I also bought the storage solution but you can store it in tap water (the cap allows you to put some liquid in there)
ninja edit DO NOT let the tip dry out. Keep it wet.

You could buy a small pack for like $3.00 that would possibly last you the rest of your life. I understand you don’t want to be wasteful, but you don’t nneeed to use them very often - probably only a couple strips every year to double-check the readings of one of these -

Digital PH Meter PH-009 Pocket Size Water Quality pH Tester for Household Drinking Water, Hydroponics, Aquariums, Swimming Pools - Extra Two Packs of PH Calibration Solution Mixture https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N7432II/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_GBYSAbC90CFC3

Could I recomend a ph probe? They are not the best when cheap like this. But will be easy, quick and readable.

Those are super expensive because they have to clean it enough to be breathed directly. If you have the ability to vent outside you can use cheaper filters to remove the worst of the smoke and the reminants become a non issue. I do that with an inline carbon filter

This one is amazing

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.

Nice tip, i'll remember it ! Just tried it, i mixed 3tbsp of soil with 3tbsp of tap water in a glass. I filled another glass with just tap water. 20mins after, the glass of tap water is at 6PH and the mix of soil & water is at around 5.75

So if this test is accurate it means my soil PH is under 6 so i should stop feeding them lemon juice right now. Is there something like lemon juice to raise PH or should i just stop messing with PH and feed them water ?

Note that the PH tester i'm using is very cheap and could also be inaccurate : https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LNSEZH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got this one.

Works great, though kinda slow to settle. But for the price, hard to beat.

The pH strips I picked up from my LHBS must've been expired because they didn't react to the wort at all. I've since bought this meter and been happy with it Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UJK7CbTRZAVJC

Dude, just grab this. Trust me on this one.

edit: Is that Grizzly Adams on your test kit?

http://www.amazon.com/Tester-PH-009-Digital-Meter-Calibration/dp/B00N7432II?ie=UTF8&keywords=Ph%20pen&qid=1463251803&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Here's a inexpensive one that comes with some testing solution. Make sure to keep the probe calibrated because they are sensitive.

This is my ph kit. It is well worth the expense.

Oakton ph pen

Storage solution

Calibration solution

I'm just a small-time hobbyist with a few basil plants in my window and due to my limited budget I've been using a super cheap no-name sketchy $13 chinese meter. What are the technical differences between something like that and the meters you sell, and what advantages does that provide?

I have tried a few of the $15-$25 pens on amazon, they all seem very similar and very inaccurate. Eventually I got tired of it and opted to spend a bit more ($50ish) and picked up this meter:

Apera Instruments AI209 PH20 Value Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range, Complete Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_NeCAe1dMSV4Nc

And have been extremely pleased with its performance. Quick and accurate readings for both pH and water temperature.

Thanks. Would you consider this a decent pH meter?

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNSEZH2

If not, any suggestions?

EC meter you can get away with a cheap one. PH Meter, the cheap ones are junk, spend around $50+ for a good PH meter. PH is critical to get right, so spend some money on a PH meter to make sure you always have that dialed in.

​

I have this PH meter, had to calibrate it, but it has been ROCK solid so far.

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ST3VTQ4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yes the flushing should help. I think the biggest issue with MG is the fact that new growers tend to overwater and such so that would affect the way the nutes are distributed to the plant. For a pH tester I use this . I pH the water before watering and then pH the runoff. I use coco/perlite mix so my pH levels will be diff than the ones you’d need. I also use distilled white vinegar to lower pH if needed instead of the pH test kits.

The cheapest I would go from reviews I've read is the Apera Instruments.

https://smile.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE

You could probably save $10 with this meter, though I haven't read as much about it.

https://smile.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI223-Accuracy-Calibration/dp/B07BDVL66C/

Some nutrients will change the color of your water so you wont be able to get an accurate measurement. Spend 15 bucks on a digital pH pen and learn how to take care of it.

I've been using this one for years

I bought mine from china for $3 and it works perfectly fine. It looks like this, but not sure if its the same one.

Probably not the cheapest option, but you could use an inline filter outside of the tent, with just a couple inches of ducting routed inside the tent. I have one... it's quite a bit bulkier than the regular filters, but it does muffle fan noise a little.

Edit: and with an inline filter, if you ever decided to add a second tent, you could just add a duct wye, and exhaust both using a single fan & filter.

I've never used strips at all so can't comment on their effectiveness in DWC at all. I've only ever used a PH pen. I use a cheap yellow Chinese one from eBay for about £5 but I would not recommend it, i'm on my second. I'm planning on upgrading to this (this payday actually) as this is a good middle of the road pen.

If you can afford it i've been recommend a Bluelab pen time and time again, but I can't justify that cost just now.

I experienced a similar situation. I was using the drops-based pH testing system and didn't have to use a whole lot of pH up to get a good color out of the tester. When I switched to a digital pH meter I noticed that much more pH up was needed to attain the proper pH range.

Eventually that pH meter drifted so far down the scale that even calibration wouldn't bring it back. I ended up buying a different digital pH meter that has a digital calibration system and it's perfect. It reads much, much more accurately than the other two systems, especially if I calibrate with three pH points: 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0.

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Temperature-Compensation-Measurement-Resolution/dp/B00LNSEZH2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1418193182&sr=8-6&keywords=ph+meter or something similar with good reviews

Brand doesn't matter to me, I always get the yellow and black ones. They are branded under so many different names.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CH3QZSE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1411073603&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

That plus a good calibration kit($15) and you are good to go. I will typically throw them out if they start malfunctioning but I usually get at least a year out of them

20$ for a pH and PPM/EC Meter.
I'm using the Same set.

It's REALLY worth it


https://www.amazon.com/Water-Quality-Meter-Pancellent-Temperature/dp/B06XCMNFVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1535971354&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ph+meter+ppm&dpPl=1&dpID=41tXy9qVRbL&ref=plSrch

I've had good results from this one: http://www.smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNSEZH2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

You'll have to calibrate it before using it and clean it after use, but if you do that then it's spot on

I apologize for not linking. That was poor Reddit etiquette.

So far the PH meter has been on point, and it’s wicked quick. And I am able to check my PPM coming out of my coco now also. To make sure I have flushed old with new.

Huge time saver. I am personally super frugal with my $, and with that said, I would absolutely buy these again.

Apera Instruments AI209 PH20... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Professional TDS ppm Conductivity... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FPG89CE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share