Do I really need a EC meter? What about a PH meter?

6 years ago

Wow, lots of cool toys out there to play with. I have gotten by all this time without benefit of devices to measure soil quality. However, I have had damaged plants because I didn't catch the issue in time.

I was wondering what those of you who have been doing this much longer than I have, what do you use to measure the ph and salinity of your houseplants.

I suppose how many houseplants one has could determine the need for expensive toys. I generally have several dozen just in case the answer would depend on that.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

terrilou
6 years ago
I don't use a soil PH meter but try to buy a mix that is Ph adjusted for African violets. If I mix my own peat based formula, I throw in some dolomite lime or ground eggshells to combat the acidity of the peat. I do test every gallon of water for PH. I use rainwater which is usually quite acidic but some gallons have tested alkaline perhaps due to the container. If I find such a gallon with PH of say 7.2 or over, I use it for other plants. Normally, this isn't the case and with acidic water, I will adjust the PH to around 6.8 by adding local spring water. I use an inexpensive aquarium test kit from the local pet store. The readings aren't too scientific but close enough for me.

Is all that important to test for PH & such? I don't know but I've been doing it for years. I'm kinda obsessed with water quality.

Terri
Jeff Zenner
6 years ago
I bit the bullet and bought a couple of toys. A PH meter and some stuff to go with it. I didn't spring for the EC meter though. Too expensive! I am going to start monitoring my PH properties for a while, just to make sure Im good. Ill just have to keep my eyes peeled for salt buildup.
Related Discussions
completely new to ph and nutrient ppm/ec meters - need help
Q
Comments (13)
Would like to add and correct a few things here: 1. Pure water without any dissolved solids does conduct electricity pretty well, (try to put 110 or 220 volt in recipient with 100% pure and distilled water and put your hand in there!) the difference is that, the more dissolved solids that are dissolved in the water, the higher the conductance of the water. 2. Lots of talk has been done about PPM conversion rates that are based on electrical conductivity EC reading of mS/cm but converted to various PPM rates, mainly 500 or 700. Do they correspond to actual PPM of any nutrient solution, or not, are they related directly or not, how comes etc. I guess many people haven't understood why and how it is. It's simple: The actual ppm value of a specific sodium chloride solution is very close to half of its conductivity value (in microSiemens/cm), That is why these "TDS" meters display the conductivity as an equivalent NaCl amount (1000/2= 500). The 700 conversion rate is derived from a specific potassium chloride (KCl) solution instead. Important: both ppm readings of either conversions used here are not related directly to YOUR or ANY nutrient solution or their actual and total PPM content in all elements. Hence, never think that a ppm reading of any TDS meter expresses any actual ppm of your formula or solution nor can be compared to any ppm recommendations for single elements as in N= 180 ppm, or P= 250 ppm etc. BUT it happens that the reading of a 500 conversion rate TDS-meter is quite close to most nutrient solutions, generally the reading is 10-25% higher as the actual content in ppm. It varies with components used as in the actual composition of the nutrients. Fortunately or unfortunately, however - do not confuse the ppm reading of any TDS meter with the exact content in ppm of elements in your nutrients or the total dissolved solids it contains. 3. As for the use of ppm readings and data (of a so called TDS meters), you may pretty well state ppm readings and data in forums as long as you know and TELL the conversion rate that goes with it as well.
...See More
meters ppm(ec) and ph
Q
Comments (5)
You can find meters for around $30.00. They work, but for how long is the real question. What you want out of a meter. 1: waterproof 2: warranty 3: replaceable probe 4: pH range 1-14 +/- .1 5: ppm range 1-1999 Starting cost @around $70.00 for individual meters $180.00 for combo meters. Go with Blue Lab, Milwaukae, oakton, nutradip, or hanna.
...See More
need help with new ec meter.
Q
Comments (2)
kylle221, Haven't you got any calibration liquid with your buy? If not, stick your meter in some demineralised (distilled) water and compare. I cannot say from here if you perhaps confuse standards instead. >>Also is the ppm measurement usually not as accurate when using organic nutes?Depends on: first thing to know is that the maesured EC equals the total PPM of soluble ions (salts) there is in a liquid! This includes not only the NPK, but Mg, Ca and a lot of S(ulfur) too. Even some 5-10 PPM of trace elements Fe included. And of course the initial PPM of the water you use, which composition can vary a lot. Actually, organic matter that is not decomposed yet, will not be included in the measurement, as only dissolved ions and salts are measured. Not sure about how different organic components could (in some case) influence or falsify the EC, though. Then again, if your organic nutes include a lots of "real" organic matter, that isn't decomposed in ions yet (which I believe is often the case) your EC-Meter can't detect them at all and hence you can't measure them. In that case you must rely on the manufacturers instructions and trust them. Do not forget that with organic nutes you are a way better of if you use a system with lots of media, where microbic activity can take place. I wouldn't suggest deep water systems or any kind of bubblers (with no or little media). PS: Do not expect bacterial activity and such natural decomposition to take place in a freshly disinfected and sterilised system either ;-)
...See More
Paula - Question About pH Meter
Q
Comments (5)
Susan - if you're addressing me, I don't use one of those. I thought about one, but I needed to know a lot more than that so I purchased one of those home test kits from a box store. It's the one with 4 tubes and little pellets. We took soil samples from several places in the general area of two of our garden spots. We probably took a good spadesized scoop of dirt from each place (maybe 8" deep) and mixed it all together. Then according to the directions, mixed that dirt with the water and tablet. They're aren't "professional" results but scientific enough for me. I would think that the value of the dirt at any given depth would be subjective, depending on what, if anything, the "keeper" had or had not done to the dirt. Of course, the deeper you go the more you'll know about your "base". Makes sense? Maybe I'm rambling! LOL! Larry, I agree with you about HF. They do have some good stuff....but this is one of those places that most of the time, you get what you pay for. Except for Chandra's greenhouse....I want one of those so bad I can almost taste it!!! Paula
...See More
Jeff Zenner
6 years ago
Hey Terrilou, I have recently purchased a meter for measuring the ph of my soil and a box of the "not so scientific" strips to determine the ph of my water. I have well water and it tests as over an 8.2 in alkalinity. I know this is high and that neutral is 7 but what do you shoot for as far as ph goes in your water? I think I have some chemical around here somewhere for raising and lowering the ph in water. I just have to make sure its ok for plants.
terrilou
6 years ago
Jeff, I aim for a ph of 6.8 to 7.0. I do have plenty of peat in my mix so over time, the medium should become quite acidic but my plants seem to do fine. I know you can add vinegar to your water to lower ph and I don't think that causes any problems. I've read that you can start out with 1/2 tsp per quart and then add more if needed. I know aquarium stores carry a product called Ph Down, which some have used. Apparently, it is also safe. Let us know what you decide.

Terri
Jeff Zenner
6 years ago
Hey, thanks for the info. Somewhere around here I have a couple bottles of "stuff" one for raising and one for lowering ph. If I can't find it, I was just looking at a couple different bottles of that kind of stuff at Espositos. (Sorry, thats a gardening/nursery store in this area.) I am on a mission to refine my process. I want to minimally reduce the amount of plant food I am feeding my plants and also bring what my tests have shown to be a high ph of the water I use down to a more useful level.

(I have a few nit picky signs of high ph and over feeding in a few of my plants which is what has prompted my concerns.)

Do I really need a EC meter? What about a PH meter?

Comments (5)

terrilou

Jeff Zenner

Related Discussions

Jeff Zenner

terrilou

Jeff Zenner

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US