I do use some nutes after week 4 if they look like they need it but only for a very short time so they are cleaned out before harvest. Each one has been different but I spend so much time with them - I feel like I’ve done right by all but one and she tastes rough but on a certainly gets the job done. lol
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Add nutrients first then test pH as far as i understand the process
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@ALSlammer apera PH meter will be a great Dependable choice .
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I don’t know how much you’re trying to grow, but fwiw, I grow more than I need in decent organic bag soil with dechlorinated tap water; and I’ve never used a PH tester (I roughly PH with drops by color), nor have I ever bought nutrients.
If you want to simplify your life in future grows, look into getting some decent organic soil, and 5 gallon+ SIPs, then you can just plant sprouted seeds and give them dechlorinated PH’d water, seed-to-harvest and make your life a whole lot easier. You’ll just have to worry about managing your ongoing environment and related details, but otherwise just watch your plants grow and harvest them autos every ~80-100 days:
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Always measure your pH and adjust after you add your nutes. And make sure to check it Everytime before adding it to your plants.
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@Mdowdy70 Good morning to you and all! I’m not much of poster being I live in an unfriendly area but here are a few from this morning. First: ILGM Apple Fritter auto; growing in homemade super soil; using Dr earths top dressing every other watering; adding molasses and light epsom salt every watering for past month. The last pic shows the spots that my limited knowledge possibly attributed to pH issues. My tap water has been 7.2-7.3 ph and I have been bringing it down to 6.2-6.3 for watering. I thought my runoff was 7.0-7.1. Of course all of these readings are in question now due to yesterdays fun with my pH pen. My next grow will have upgraded lights. I am now running (2) Gixxer 1000 (Iknow they are far less), a King 600 (same) and supplemental side lighting. Its doing ok but an upgrade is coming.
What do you think?
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I figure Nov 9/23 sprout date so I am entering the 8th week from sprout.
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Thanks again for the recommendations. I see many of these pH probes offer replaceable probes/sensors for a little bit more $, which seems like a smart way to go. I guess the probe is the item that fails most often. The electronics should be good…
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@Mdowdy70 - I was also concerned about the powdery mildew note but I think got some indication from others here that as long as I maintained good ventilation I should be ok. They appear to be right it seems entering the final month or so. 
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Boy those pictures sure do remind me of when I had a pH problem with my pen. Which I ended up having to replace. I was not letting it stay wet when putting it away. Also I had a Cal mag problem so put some Cal mag on it and got a pen that worked right and all my issues went away. Good luck!
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Thanks much- I appreciate teh feedback
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After researching everything out there I have decide to try a run using paper test strips. They are the standard that was used for years and their accuracy should be good enough for this I am guessing. I’m finishing up the AF autos in the next couple weeks and am going to give it a try. I figure can’t be any worse than using an out of calibration pH probe, actually should be better than that I’m guessing! LOL 
They work fine.
Thanks. For $7 I get 2 rolls. Probably 500 - 600 tests since the strip can be cut in half.
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For 7 bux dont split them. Being TOO cheap is not good either. Becomes habit.
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Good point! LOL- I see you are retired. I’m headed to that in a few months and trying to learn a new hobby. Happy growing and thanks again for the reply.
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Good luck on the test strips. It will get you close and definitely better than bad pH stick. But I would get a good pH pen so you can dial it in perfectly. Just my advice from having a lot of pH problems. Happy Growing!!
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Thanks much
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Havent come across a hobby more rewarding than this one. Not many things in life give back more than you put in. Im loving this!!! Congrats on your upcoming retirement too.
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