which ph test to trust?

[ROOR]

whats more accurate....soil or run-off?

 

[Mutt]

I'd trust the run-off. I've always trusted the run off more than a top sample. IMHO

 

[KADE]

Yup, and get a ph pen off of ebay if u have to. $15.99

 

[Dr.GreenThumb]

Yup, and get a ph pen off of ebay if u have to. $15.99

I offered him mine and he told me NO !!!

 

[ROOR]

I offered him mine and he told me NO !!!

LOL..yeah right....send that oakton right over....

how about tds/ec meters...are they mostly for hydro?

 

[bejohnst]

Don't mean to hyjack your thread or anything but i'm in the market for a PH pen as well. The ones at the hydro shop are like 75 bucks so i've been crusing ebay. What is the difference between the expensive ones (like the phep4 for ~ $50) and one like this http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Digital-Pen...ryZ20729QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem They both seem to have the same accuracy + or - .1?

 

[AeroTX]

I was thinking of grabbing this bad boy:

http://www.texashydroponics.com/shop/product.php?productid=759&cat=285&page=1

 

[KADE]

Usually the only difference is u cannot replace the electrode, or it doesn't take a universal one.... I've never had a ph pen die on me except for the time i didn't keep it wet.... my bad... =-)

 

[seattle420]

PH testing is usually not needed in a soil grow.

 

[KADE]

Maybe not for you... but if you are not testing the waters ph b4 watering I'd bet you'll have problems.

 

[Dr.GreenThumb]

PH testing is usually not needed in a soil grow.

I disagree completely and not sure where you got this info. If you dont monitor your PH level I dont care if its hydro or soil you are screwed.

 

[KADE]

Anyone worth 1/2 their weight in salt knows that... I just wasn't gonna start an arguement =0

 

[seattle420]

http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/soils/ph.html

 

[Dr.GreenThumb]

http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/soils/ph.html

I read the info in your link, i'm not going to argue. On this forum I am expressing my personal experience, whoever reads this can use it....or not I dont care. Getting back to the subject, most growers that use soil or hydro think that it is important if not critical to monitor your PH level.

 

[KADE]

Ph level in hydro is 1000% Critical.... soil buffers the ph somewhat... but typically buffers the ph to the wrong number you are looking for...

 

[Dr.GreenThumb]

Ph level in hydro is 1000% Critical.... soil buffers the ph somewhat... but typically buffers the ph to the wrong number you are looking for...

When I checked my FoxFarm soil with distilled h2o, PH was just about 5.8 way to low.

 

[Canso]

I can't even remember the last time i checked PH.
dirt has anough buffers, that inless your on well water, or you have very hard water, your water run off should be around PH 6.5

 

[Dr.GreenThumb]

I can't even remember the last time i checked PH.
dirt has anough buffers, that inless your on well water, or you have very hard water, your water run off should be around PH 6.5

I can only speak for where I live, but the water must be better up there in BC then down here in the cities in Texas...

 

[ROOR]

When I checked my FoxFarm soil with distilled h2o, PH was just about 5.8 way to low.

Its suppopst to be 6.3...

 

[KADE]

my water is about 7 or so from the tap.. I have a well. Same everyday for years. I'll know exactly once my new ph pen gets here.