Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit, ±0.1 pH Accuracy

I use this Apera

I have this one and it's been good

Comes with calibration liquid, and a case

This one yes? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOHN8/ref=psdcmw_393271011_t1_B08228CNGT

Warning, Opinion incoming: pH is such an important number to hit, it's not worth fucking around with drops or winging it. Spend $50 on a good pen.

Test strips are no bueno unless it's a mini a/b. If you use them on the main a/b the bark stains the strip and you can't tell what the actual pH is. I bought this guy from Amazon. I haven't had a chance to use it yet because it was delivered to my house and I'm 60 miles north of there right now.

Spend $50 on a good one that comes with calibration solutions and calibrate it often.

I use this one and have been pretty happy with it.

Those soil PH stakes aren’t great for the purpose that you would be using it for. You’ll want to pick up something more similar to this

Apera 20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOHN8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3G.9EbJW3F4Z9 Used to run RO water now run tap with a carbon filter plants seam just as happy and I don't need to buy calmag. It also takes a while to figure out how the plant grows and how triming and shaping will look like in 3 weeks time.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOHN8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one is very accurate and reliable over a long time as long as it's calibrated every few months.

Here's the one I use

I use this one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOHN8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_wjCUEbH053X06

I would get a tester. Id suggest this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9JRrFbPVVNEHT

I wasn't sure if I needed Cal Mag since I was in soil. Was it this one?

I just used AN's schedule online after adding in my nutrients. It definitely took a lot of the guesswork out.

Ph - yes! Ive been mixing 5-6 gallon batches during water days with ph checks before watering so my numbers line up. Didnt like the meter I bought initially, so upgraded to this:

Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_l787EbKQGV7Y2

I use this ph pen now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9QNHFbFGC6Z4Z. Apera is a good entry level brand. I use to use Vivosun ph meter and it is accurate within 0.2 of the Apera at the extremes. Most of the time the Vivosun and Apera differ by 0.1.

Don't give up. It'll be fine in a few days. Going through problems is very frustrating. Believe me I've had my fair share. But this girl will bud up since she already flowering. Now that you know the problems you can just the steps listed and see how much the problem is corrected over the course of a week.

I struggled with humidity and temperature too until I played with enough things to understand what will happen on different situation. Keeping the door open to the room and setting my AC temp to a certain setting seems to keepy humidity on check and I don't need a dehumidifier. The AC and the two fans I have inside helps with the temp. Fans are a great way to lower temp and keep air circulating. Don't have to be expensive fans. Just really need to move some of the air around.

Think of it like this, you have this girl hell and she still isn't dead. Now since you know what to do she'll at least be better than she was.

I use a low end Apera meter which has been holding up fine. I don't trust my meter and I don't calibrate on a schedule because I have a fail-safe. I use my meter to mix up and pH my nutrient solution. But before I put anything on the plants, I take a little sample and use my pH drops to verify the pH. If my drops match my meter, I'm golden. If my drops don't match my meter, I calibrate my meter.

This is what I use. You'll need some 7.0 calibration solution and pH storage solution. Honestly tho, the strips are probably fine 98% of the time. It's just a question of whether you want to add vinegar to ensure pH is low, or go with a pure ferment sauce relying on the fermentation to bring the ph down.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GWmnFbJ3VC15J

50 on amazon are their prices not universal? Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit, ±0.1 pH Accuracy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2UgJFb8DMVRKE

Dolomite lime is cal-mag. It’s not an instantly released nutrient, just something that breaks down in the soil to provide cal and mag over the course of months. Baking soda works fine too and is common. What do you think about this ph meter?

if you don't want to pay that much for blue lab pen, get this one.

comes with case and calibration solution ph 7 and ph 4.

$45 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

As I had to learn the hard way; one thing I'd reccomend investing in even as a first-time grower is a GOOD PH pen. Not a $15 one. They constantly go out of calibration (all do require calibration but the cheap ones way more often) Just save yourself money and your harvest in the long-run and buy a good one and READ AND FOLLOW THE CARE AND INSTRUCTIONS in the package. Sorry not yelling just...save yourself the headache. This is the one I have it's about $45. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOHN8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Get this pen: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jwOCEbFE8T05R couldn't recommend more, it's an economy pen from a reputable brand. Been using it for 6 months no issues. I agree ph your water before it goes in, find a way to test the runoff. (Even just testing what goes in will make all the difference)

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

I just had a look, if you are in the states, the one I got isn’t sold there. But I saw a few people talking about this tester on the coco for cannabis chat room and how they were more than pleased with its accuracy. Hope that helps!

Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LuFzEbYS2E0KX

That’s what I grabbed

Check out: HLG 65 V2 , HLG 100 V2 , or Spider Farmer SF-1000 for pretty solid LED lights. They’ll run $100 for the first one, $150-160 for the 2nd and 3rd (Amazon). The 2 more expensive lights will cover roughly a 3x3 foot area. Add a decent fertilizer, and soil/pot and you’re set. https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8 is the best ph meter I’ve used for the price. It’s forgiving, because most of them are broken if they dry out, but this one is still ok.

Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit, ±0.1 pH Accuracy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AgOqFb481P3VG

I’ve been using this for over a year with no problems.

Amazon with prime runs that price.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ph20&qid=1597933255&sr=8-1

Price went up by 1 dollar since I bought it :P

> Are you on well water or have some special water treatment system?

City tap water. Nothing special. It measures 30ppm @ 8.2pH

> Have you confirmed your ph with a secondary testing method?

No, only have 1 pH tester pen. Apera PH20

> How much MG are you adding to get an EC of 1.6?

Normally I just keep sprinkling in until my target EC is reached, but just went out to reproduce your steps.

Leveled off 1 teaspoon scoop of MaxiGro. Digital scale measures 6.2-6.3 grams depending on how packed the spoon was.

Mixed it in 1 gallon of water @ 30ppm/8.2pH

Nutrient solution drops to 4.5pH & had 990ppm/1.98EC

 

Big drop of 3.7pH difference, twice that of yours. I'm thinking your water with higher ppm of whatever mineral or content is reacting with the MaxiGro buffer more. Since my water has less ppm there is less stuff for the buffer to react with hence a lower pH?  

On a side note. I did a test with MaxiGro solution in a sealed bottle vs open bucket. The bottle maintained it's 4.7pH, but the open air bucket gained pH. Leads me to believe the pH gain is from exchange of something like carbon dioxide.

Apera Instruments AI209 Value Series PH20 Waterproof pH Tester Kit, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_JZ55EbQ1C9B4B

I picked this one up. Comes with calibration liquid in a nice little case. I like it so far.

PH meter

It is just ph, I already had a PPM tester. The little blue one on amazon.

This because when you grow cannabis, ferns, cacti, succulents, philodendron, hoyas, etc. etc. etc. your water needs to be buffered spot on.

I disagree with everyone here so far. Not only is electric the way to go, but id also much rather spend $40-50 on a good one, than the $10 Chinese ones.

I've owned both and here's the difference: Calibration, accuracy, and speed. The cheap ones bounce around for sometimes a minute before resting on a number. Nice ones take 5-10 seconds. Cheap ones need to be recalibrated consistently. I've been going on 6 months without needing a recalibration on my Apera:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOHN8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No affiliation with the company \^ just a satisfied customer passing on my experience

TDS-3 Meter to test ppm

Apera PH20 to test pH level

I have both and can confirm they’re excellent products.

thanks for the input! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOHN8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 is this good enough then?

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8?ref_=ast_sto_dp

I wouldn't go any cheaper than this for a pen. You could always get PH strips which are quite cheap.

I use the same one too, its the green one.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8

I think the cheapest one that's worth buying is the apera one for $45 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MtFaFb86J6S20

The bluelab ones are a little better but I think it's diminishing returns.

There are cheaper ones in the 20 dollar range but they are unreliable and lose accuracy quickly.

Any decent one is going to have a temp sensor built in because it needs to know the temp of the water in order to calculate the ph properly.

You'll also want to get some ph probe storage solution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071AR9XI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_txFaFbGTX3P22 That will make the sensor last longer and stay more accurate over time

Get a quality pH pen like the Apera PH20: https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=apera+ph20&qid=1593931287&sr=8-2

I ordered 4 cheap $10-15 pH pens and they start becoming dysfunctional fast even after reading perfect pH in the calibration solutions. A month after I bought all 4 cheap pens, only 1 still reads the same as the Apera one. Only issue I dislike about that pen is it reads a little slow even with the indicator.

I bought these separately.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=ph+pen&qid=1600394145&sprefix=ph+p&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-7-0-Calibration-Solution/dp/B01MCS0K73/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=general+hydroponics+calibration+solution&qid=1600394863&sprefix=general+hydroponics+cali&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOHN8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FPG89CE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do not buy pH strips. Your margin is 6.3-6.9. pH strips are not precise enough, and if you go outside your range, you can have serious issues. You will need to pH your water everytime you water your plants. You can test runoff if you start to have pH issues, but otherwise it's not really necessary, and you'll just chase pH/screw up your grow.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=apera+ai209+kit&qid=1597109621&sr=8-2

Buy the "combo kit".

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A quality grow requires a few essential items. Good genetics, good soil, adequate lighting, and a decent pH pen. Everything else you can short yourself on, but a bad pH meter will affect the grow quality (for example a louder fan that might not pull as much air will still work, but it probably won't affect the outcome of your bud quality unless the fan is broken).

How do you plan on dealing with run off? If you are going to shop vac the run off, go to your local hydroponic store and buy pot risers. They're like $3-4 at my local shop and $10-$15 online. I have a 32x60" right now. 2-6 plants is ideal depending on how long you want to veg them. For autos you'll have to guess, but I'd split the difference and go with 4 incase one doesn't germinate or dies. For photos I would go with 5 and just flower when they are smaller.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8?ref_=s9_apbd_orecs_hd_bw_bQc7kp&pf_rd_r=T7EHGJV7GQDPNNX5CWWW&pf_rd_p=735e167d-af51-57a3-b114-d527f77ee4cb&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_t=BROWSE&pf_rd_i=393271011

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i've only calibrated it once - about a month ago. Maybe I should re-calibrate

I see a couple more things you might need. A PPM meter, outlet with timer (i like the one on amazon that has 2 outlets), a plant stand, a plant saucer.

I'm an apartment microgrower too, finishig up my first plant, and the 240W QB light from Alibaba is the freakin' bomb. : ). I have a 63" tall tent and the height is fine.

For the PH pen, the Apera PH20 is a nice mid-end pen. I use it and it's been only off by .1 when i had to recalibrate after 3 months of using it. https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=apera+ph20&qid=1580856288&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4

I'm using the Apera Instruments AI209 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOHN8). I calibrate it before each watering. My water comes in around 7.5ish, so I add some PH down stir it in until I get a consistent reading between 6-7. I try to vary it all over as much as I can.

I'm overly stressing about watering for some reason. I'll let them dry out more before the next round. I thought I judged the weight of the pot better, but I guess not.

You can get strips for next to nothing and get a general idea. You can get a cheap digital model that will break eventually and require frequent recalibration. For the money, I think your best bet is the $50 Apera https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/

AC Infinity 4in Fan + Controller does all the work keepi g humidity and temperature in control for me.

I use the CocoForCannabis Nutrient Schedule and err on the lower amounts of the nutrients.

I fill up a 1 gallon jug with tap water just after watering the plant daily and leave it out with the cap off to let the chlorine salts dislove off overnight.

If I use a Total Disolved Solids (TDS) Meter to check the Parts Per Million (PPM) of the water before leaving it out over night it comes out to 75. After leaving it out it drops to 25. Letting us know the chlorine salts that the municipal water company puts in our water for cleaning purposes have disolved off and our water is closer to distilled or RO water at 0 PPM.

Note: Your starting PPM if using tap water will vary based on where you get your water. If you start with anything more than 150 PPM out of the tap I would recommend buying distilled or RO water.

I know that these are the values for me so I don't check the PPM of my starting water anymore.

Using 10ml Syringes I measure out my Armor Si and add it to the jug, cap it, shake it vigorously for a few seconds, and let it rest for an hour. Silica needs time to dissolve.

After an hour I mix in each nutrient in the amounts on the schedule and adjusted to how the plant is doing (toxic / defficient). I keep track of this in a Google Docs sheet.

I check the PPM of the feed water and compare it to the target PPM levels of the schedule. If it is over (likely on days where there is a high amount of Cali-Magic in them, as it takes up a large amount of your PPM budget) I pour out small amounts of nutrient water and replace with distilled water, or tap water. I check the PPM and repeat until it is at the desired PPM Level. If the initial number is below then you can leave it as is. I record the PPM in the Google Doc

Check the pH using a quality pH meter and add pH up/down as necessary. I allow the water to rest for another hour to let the pH settle. As you water your plant more you will get used to the amount of pH up/down you need to get the perfect pH on the first go. I record the pH in the Google Doc.

Once a week I top dress with Real Growers Recharge adding beneficial bacteria to the roots. The company and many loyal customers claim the bacteria break down the nutrients making them more readily available to the plants and at a wider pH range, making it harder to burn your plant and letting them develop robust and dense root systems. I'm super excited to see my root ball after using this.

I then water the plant using a small watering can. During veg I was watering 1/2 gallon a day. Sometimes up to 3/4 gallon if the PPM was spiking higher than the cap (150 over your target PPM). During flower I water 1 gallon a day for my 3 gallon pot.

I use a syringe to collect a bit of outflow water from a dish under the fabric pots. I test the PPM of that water and record it in the Google Doc. If the water is 150 PPM above the inflow water then I add a bit more water to help it down. If it struggles to stay down you may need to flush.

While the last of the water drains I take the chance to do some leaf tucking, defoliation, and whatever training needs to be done for the day. After that I empty the waste water. If the plant is showing signs of pH stress I will test the pH of outflow water, but I have not had issues really.

Finally I take a picture and record it in the Google Doc.

The hardest parts are allowing yourself enough time and patients to allow an hour for the chlorine salts to disolved if you're using tap water, waiting an hour for Silica to dissolve, and waiting an hour for pH to balance. I may be overly cautious, but stable is good!

Let me know if you have any questions about any other processes or more specifics!

I would add something to put a phone on or in, or an area that stays dry. On either side of the steps we have some 24 inch square tables that we toss towels, phones, etc on and they are quite handy. If you can get a shelf for the side of the tub (you can get plastic ones that sort of clamp on with friction and some off when you are done) that's even better.

Make sure you can easily get to your towels while in the tub, sometimes I need to dry my hands to grab my phone, light a cigar, etc.

A small drain hose if your area requires one...

Unsure if you want info on chems and test kits. But I highly recommend taylor test kits and a digital pH meter (strips and even liquid tests are hard to read).:

Test Kit I am using (i got mine cheaper @ebay but amazon has the reviews):

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IXIJ0

Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/402335621331

Also a stirrer is super helpful with titration kits like the Taylor kit: https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Stirrer-Speedstir-Start-Up-Batteries/dp/B004BGPC5W

I find ALL color based pH tests hard to read, and I find the cheap 12 dollar ph sticks on Amazon don't last long when testing things like Chlorinated water, and they don't like getting wet. This pH tester is an Amazing prosumer grade electronic option that I am loving for Saltwater fish, the hot tub, and my plant watering testing:

Apera pH meter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOHN8