PH Pens

[Hudo]

What PH pen is everyone using. Ive got a HM and I test it weekly in ph 7 and ph 4 calibration solution and it's always out. The fucker was reading 9 and 5.4 in each solution so not only is it out it's not constantly out. It's reading 2 higher on 7 and 1.4 on 4 it's in the bin. Are blue lab the shit or another brand TIA

 

[Love to grow]

I had the same problem with mine don’t ever let em dry out is the trick the hm doesn’t come with storage solution so you have to get some I changed to blue lab they are the shit if cleaned and stored correctly barely if ever 0.1 away from calibration solution it’s been 1.5yrs since change n never missed a beat only calibrate monthly now

 

[Kee Mao]

Drops from Bunnings,crude but effective. For coco at least.

 

[Pikey]

I had the same HM pH pen and it worked great for awhile, but then it started needing constant checking/calibration

Couldn't trust it, so I bought myself a Bluelab and have never looked back. So far everytime I've checked it it's been spot on

 

[Porky]

What PH pen is everyone using. Ive got a HM and I test it weekly in ph 7 and ph 4 calibration solution and it's always out. The fucker was reading 9 and 5.4 in each solution so not only is it out it's not constantly out. It's reading 2 higher on 7 and 1.4 on 4 it's in the bin. Are blue lab the shit or another brand TIAView attachment 32136

Yeah get a blue lab they the best by miles!!
I let mine got out of cal for a month and tested it and it was still perfectly accurate!!
I have smashed 1 and am onto me 2nd they are very fragile is the only problem I can see with em!

 

[Stackr]

My first one was a "Digitech" from Jaycar. Over 12 years old and have been using it again after about 6 years sitting in the drawer. It has a little sponge in the cap to keep the probe moist. Soaking it in water for 24 hours helped, but it really took a couple of weeks to fully hydrate and stabilise.
Second is a "no brand" from China (because I couldn't find the Digitech). Supposedly calibrated at the factory, comes with calibration stuff but I haven't done it. Like the Digitech, needs to be fully hydrated, and I think that it could do with checking the calibration.
Third is a Bluelab, only had it a few days. Did the soak in their solution for 24 hours, a few drops into the sponge in the probe cap. Haven't calibrated it yet. but seems to be accurate. Much better build quality than the others.
Before using them, I stand them in tap water, check the pH reading and then test the solution and then back into the tap water.
Like Love to Grow said "don’t ever let em dry out", but if you do they can be recovered, even if it means soaking them in tap water for a few days.

 

[Sedge]

I can’t be hassled anymore with them ..so liquid ph test never fails me.

 

[Hudo]

I can’t be hassled anymore with them ..so liquid ph test never fails me.

The amount I've gone through over the years it's prob wise. I thought I'd buy a decent one so it would last and the shop had no blue lab in stock and he said the HM were good but I've had a better consistency with a $14 ebay one with the screw on the side to calibrate that this peice of shit

 

[thefullspectrum]

Doesn't matter what brand, if you don't store it storage solution it'll be fucked before long. A 250mm bottle cost about $12 and will last 12 months.

I've had a HM ph80 for about 14 months. Fill the cap halfway with storage solution. Every time I use it, I drop 1-2ml extra in, Want to see a a bit squeeze out everytime you cap it.

Rinsing in fresh water and a wipe/blow dry before capping. Never shake the water from them.

I only use it once or twice a week now. Get to know the drill. Calibrated it probably 4-5 times and its always within 0.1.

 

[Hudo]

I only use it once or twice a week now. Get to know the drill. Calibrated it probably 4-5 times and its always within 0.1.

Yeah I don't use it much when there established I've got that recipe down it's when I'm running half strength for first 2 weeks that I need check the ph

 

[Old Ant]

I started using this Milwaukee ph 51, simple to use with a fast read of ph and good price at the time of purchase was around $70 from dr greenthumbs. If you look closely at pic, I store it permanently in electrode storage solution inside this silicone boot that it came with and I make sure there are no air bubbles inside boot just solution Stays accurate within a .1-.2 reading and is about a year old

 

[R3za92]

I’ve got a bluelab combo meter. I purchased it used for $200 but when I got it the cunt was fucked and wouldn’t calibrate ph at all even with 2 different brand new probes. was still in warranty but so bluelab replaced it without a receipt based on the serial number after about 3 days of emails trying to troubleshoot the fucked one unsuccessfully.

I’ve also got a milwaukee ph55 as a backup and it’s been pretty solid as well and significantly cheaper than the bluelab.

Whatever you choose get something where the probe is replaceable. It’s worth it because according to bluelab tech support 99/100 if there’s an issue it’s probably the probe.

 

[missrachael]

Thanks for this thread, I've always just used the Manutec kits but did wonder about getting a fancy pen.....all sounds a bit complicated tbh. Sounds like good advice @R3za92 about getting a unit where the probe is replaceable though.

 

[veritas629]

I work with environmental sensors for a living and deal with pH sensors that cost $2K to $50K. Just throwing that out there, I'm not pulling this info from my arse or Reddit! One thing most people don't understand is how a pH electrode ages. To put it in simple terms, the electrode (aka measurement thingy) starts decaying the moment it is manufactured. Yes, you need to keep the glass bulb moist with a correct KCl buffer solution. Yes, you need to calibrate them frequently. But, even with buffer solution and calibrations, your electrode will lose measurement stability over time. The electrode is "eating" itself during it's normal operation or sitting in storage. It is probably not what everyone wants to hear, but if that electrode is more than a year old, it's degraded too far to be truly useful.

Get yourself an Ohaus ST10 or similar. They have user replaceable electrodes and are made for laboratories, not the hydro market which typically serves up disposable junk.

 

[Porky]

I work with environmental sensors for a living and deal with pH sensors that cost $2K to $50K. Just throwing that out there, I'm not pulling this info from my arse or Reddit! One thing most people don't understand is how a pH electrode ages. To put it in simple terms, the electrode (aka measurement thingy) starts decaying the moment it is manufactured. Yes, you need to keep the glass bulb moist with a correct KCl buffer solution. Yes, you need to calibrate them frequently. But, even with buffer solution and calibrations, your electrode will lose measurement stability over time. The electrode is "eating" itself during it's normal operation or sitting in storage. It is probably not what everyone wants to hear, but if that electrode is more than a year old, it's degraded too far to be truly useful.

Get yourself an Ohaus ST10 or similar. They have user replaceable electrodes and are made for laboratories, not the hydro market which typically serves up disposable junk.

I just took a screen shot of this post for when I drop mine again or it starts degrading!
I'll get one with an interchangeable probe next!

 

[Kloud9]

Yes same and under 130$ is good

 

[Hudo]

I work with environmental sensors for a living and deal with pH sensors that cost $2K to $50K. Just throwing that out there, I'm not pulling this info from my arse or Reddit! One thing most people don't understand is how a pH electrode ages. To put it in simple terms, the electrode (aka measurement thingy) starts decaying the moment it is manufactured. Yes, you need to keep the glass bulb moist with a correct KCl buffer solution. Yes, you need to calibrate them frequently. But, even with buffer solution and calibrations, your electrode will lose measurement stability over time. The electrode is "eating" itself during it's normal operation or sitting in storage. It is probably not what everyone wants to hear, but if that electrode is more than a year old, it's degraded too far to be truly useful.

Get yourself an Ohaus ST10 or similar. They have user replaceable electrodes and are made for laboratories, not the hydro market which typically serves up disposable junk.

Thanks for the info

 

[GlennT_59]

Does anyone know if the Blue Labs PH pen probe is replaceable? (Didn't seem to be looking at the Care and use guide). I've only had it a month but just so I know when in 18 months or so when it needs replacement.

 

[Porky]

Does anyone know if the Blue Labs PH pen probe is replaceable? (Didn't seem to be looking at the Care and use guide). I've only had it a month but just so I know when in 18 months or so when it needs replacement.

No!!

 

[Kee Mao]

Calebration