Review REQUEST: pH & PPM Meters

[TorturedSoul]

Huh. Also have the pH55 (replaceable electrode, accuracy .1ph, two-point (semi-)automatic calibration, automatic temperature compensation so I wouldn't have to use the old "thermometer and chart" routine lol) for $50 and the pH56 (same as above except resolution to .01pH and accuracy to .05pH) for $64.

Seem really cheap. Hmm.

Uhh. I just figured out that our sponsors probably sell these things too so I guess these last few posts might be disappearing soon. I wasn't thinking.

[Harry Red]

Originally Posted by TorturedSoul

BtW, is $20 the regular price for them or did you get lucky?

Also, I don't suppose they also make a $20 PPM (or EC) meter?

I'm not sure of the cost of their EC meters. I haven't really had the need for one of those yet.

A web search on Milwaukee pH 600 will yield several locations to purchase the PH meter for around $20. I think I picked up the pen and a bottle of 7.0 calibration solution for around $30.



Harry

[TorturedSoul]

I've only ever bought meters at hydroponics stores. I never even thought to look at places that sell lab equipment. Which (for me) is pretty lame.

Thanks for the head-check guys!

[McBudz]

Originally Posted by TorturedSoul

BtW, is $20 the regular price for them or did you get lucky? That seems like less than half-price for most places (for their cheapest digitals).

Also, I don't suppose they also make a $20 PPM (or EC) meter?

CD 97 is about $16.00. Cant vouch for it though. I have the TD75/T6 cant remember which. Seems pretty good so far.

[420zooroot]

Originally Posted by TorturedSoul

Most of those things that look like an analog meter on a metal spike aren't worth purchasing (IMHO).

If $10 is your budget, I would just purchase the "strips" type test kit. If you can spend $20 or more I would order a digital pH meter (that Milwaukee pH600 is sounding like a really good deal).

Thanks for the advice. I would have purchased that cheap one at Lowes and been upset when it didn't do what I needed it to. This site is great. Always nice to have people helping people. Do you recommend any specific temp and humidity meter?

[McBudz]

Originally Posted by 420zooroot

Thanks for the advice. I would have purchased that cheap one at Lowes and been upset when it didn't do what I needed it to. This site is great. Always nice to have people helping people. Do you recommend any specific temp and humidity meter?

I use a "weather station" that uses a remote thermometer/hygrometer. Forget what I paid but I picked up at home depot. The station gives temp/humidty inside and the remote does outside. I put the remote in my tent and keep the station in the living room where I can monitor. Just look closley when you buy, not all do humidity.

[o2much4me]

I like this thread but which are people having best luck with? Milwaukee or Hanna? the HANNA 98301 about $41 USD on the high end HANNA HI 9813-6 about $180 USD.
The Milwaukee T76 is $55 or so.
I am just wondering which people are liking most Milwaukee products or HANNA products.

Prices seem competitave Milwaukee SM801 SMART pH/EC/TDS Combined Meter/Tester $150 or so.

[obxgardener]

Originally Posted by o2much4me

I like this thread but which are people having best luck with? Milwaukee or Hanna? the HANNA 98301 about $41 USD on the high end HANNA HI 9813-6 about $180 USD.
The Milwaukee T76 is $55 or so.
I am just wondering which people are liking most Milwaukee products or HANNA products.

Prices seem competitave Milwaukee SM801 SMART pH/EC/TDS Combined Meter/Tester $150 or so.

Ummm, not to be harsh, but did you read the thread? Hanna is crap. Get the cheapest milwaukee models.

[o2much4me]

Yes I read the thread, You have a Hanna, & Ordering a Milwaukee.... from your thread... "I have the Hanna GroChek combo meter - it has NPS pipe threads, designed to mount through a hole in the tank, and give constant 24/7 measurements"

Just checking... Relax..... Thanks though for your insight. Let us know how you like it after some use. The Milwaukee your getting gonna be 24/7 ?

[obxgardener]

I've had the Hanna for 4 months now, the PH no longer works, so I have a $150 TDS & Temp meter.

The Milwalkee PH 600 is the deal.

[o2much4me]

Thanks obxgardner,
Hanna champ 98106 ph meter & Hanna TDS 98301 were included so was wondering if I should eBay them and purchase a more quality meter. They (HANNA) have a one year warranty if that means anything at all. {I will not 24/7 ph} Cash is short now a days & Milwaukee SM 802 runs aprox $150 via eBay. Not sure which is one or if it matters, SM801 or SM802.
801 0-1990 PPM mS/cm = 0 - 1990
802 0-4000 PPM mS/cm = 0 - 6.0
above seems only difference. Is the SM802 would be more applicable???
[Milwaukee SM801 & 802 have 2 year warranty]
Do you advise selling the 2 & purchasing an Milwaukee SM? Anyone know of any good deals?

Not sure which mS/cm {milliseimens per centimeter} 0-6.0 or 0-1990. Is needed

--------------------------------------- BELOW IS A CUT & PASTE I FOUND REGARDING mS/cm ---------------------

[USA] 1 ms/cm (EC 1.0 or CF 10) = 500 ppm
Calculating the conversion factor

If your meter allows you to switch between EC and TDS units, your conversion factor can be easily determined by dividing one by the other.

Place the probe in the solution and read TDS in ppm. Change to EC on the meter and read EC in ms/cm.

Conversion factor = ppm / ec.

[Note: ms must be converted to us: One millisiemen = 1000 microsiemens (1.0 ms/cm = 1000.0 us/cm)

According to the chart below:
1.0 ms/cm = 500 ppm (USA Hanna)
1000 us/cm = 500 ppm

Conversion factor = ppm / (ms/cm * 1000)
.50 = 500ppm / (1000us/cm) ]

The answer is your meter's convertion factor and should be a number between 0.50 and 0.72 To improve accuracy, take ec and ppm readings from your res daily for about ten days. Average the conversion factors. The more data points that you use, the closer you will be to finding your true conversion factor.

When reporting your PPM in a thread, please give the conversion factor your meter uses. For example: 550 PPM @0.7 or give the reading in EC, which should be the same meter to meter.

It may also be advisable to give the starting value of your water; there is a huge difference between RO and distilled water with a PPM of approximately 0 and hard tap water of PPM 300 @.5 (notice the conversion factor so others can work out the EC) or well water with a conductance of 2.1 ms/cm.


A note to Organic Growers:
An EC meter has fewer applications for a soil grower because many organic nutrients are not electrically charged or are inert. Things like Superthrive or Fish Emulsion, blood meal, rock phosphate or green sand cannot be measured with a meter reliably when they are applied or in runoff. Meters can only measure electrically charged salts in solution.

"The solution"...
When reporting your PPM in a thread please give the conversion factor your meter uses for example 550 PPM @.7 or give the reading in EC (the EC should be the same meter to meter).

[Hackk]

Just ordered the Milwaukee ph 600... Hopefully it will hold up to the high standards!

Now, who has a great reliable TDS meter for the same price?

[hydrozone]

Wish I'd checked this thread before I bought my Hanna Checker pH meter.
I can dip it in the same solution 3 times in a row and get 3 different readings.

Looks like the ph600 for me.
Thanks for the reviews.

[Vapeit]

HMDigital PH 200. Runs around $70.00. I've had it over a year and never had a problem with it. You can get the specs here:

PH-200: Waterproof pH Meter - HM Digital

I use it for hydro and it makes all the difference in the world.