Recommendation for ppm meter

Hey everyone,

This ones pretty straight forward. Just looking for a good recommendation on a ppm meter to replace the one i currently have(pretty sure its going out or i just had a huge spike in ppm). Was going to go blue lab until i noticed on amazon that it was a frequently returned item. May have just clicked on the wrong meter but would rather check with the community before making a purchase.

Thanks everyone in advance!

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I have had great luck with the cheapest of tds meters.


The last one I bought lasted about 2 years.

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Right on. Just in my price range too. Lol. If its effective and cheap thats right down my alley. :laughing::laughing: thanks @Docnraq

going to give it a day to see any other suggestions, if there are any, to just get confirmation. Not that i dont trust you, just like to get more than one vote if i can is all. But it is already in my cart. Lol

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Blue Lab for the win Grow Bro, I’ve been using this one for 4 years. Super reliable and accurate and won’t break the bank :love_you_gesture:

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I use a Bluelab commercial Truncheon for the past 5 years and it is still dead nuts accurate when I verify accuracy with their calibration fluid.
I grow hydroponically and pH is a critical characteristic that I measure everyday. They are pricey at $150, but it’s the last pH meter you will ever buy.

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When i get a 20gallon fabric pot and start making larger amounts of nutrients i will definitely be buying one. But as for now i only mix a gallon up at a time and it wont fit in a gallon :laughing:

Really glad to hear that it lasts that long being precisely accurate though!

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You can’t go wrong with Bluelab. If their EC pen is too pricey, you might watch eBay for an open-box unit. I got their pH soil pen that way for $116.

For a less expensive option, Lostgirl recommends this one routinely.

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I appreciate the tip. I always forget that ebay exists. I will probably get one of the cheaper ones for now and then save up for a blue lab that way i have 2 incase one breaks down again later on down the line.

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Would love to get one in the future. Unfortunately money has been tight lately but i will get one for end game.

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Having a backup can be useful, but I think there’s an analogy here with lights. It’s better and cheaper in the long run to bite the bullet and buy a high-quality unit right off the bat. I’m lucky enough to be able to practice that philosophy, though – many can’t afford it.

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Oh believe me i full heartedly agree with that. I just only have one more check till i get back to work towards the end of the year and have to try to spread it out. I opted for the best equiptment i could afford with everything else thankfully. Definitely getting a blue lab in the future though.

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I will be buying a new PPM/TDS meter as well for the NL grow off. I see the Apera TDS20 alot on here. Is that the one I need? Or is it the EC20? When I go to the website, the PPM meter is showing a screenshot with pH in the window, not a PPM reading like 1420 or something. I have the Apera pH meter, I think it is the pH20?

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Honestly i see the apera on here a lot and never see any complaints. Id rather fork out 2-3 times the money and have it work 10x better ya know?

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My thoughts as well. Just not sure on which model.

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If you have the money go with the one that does
Ive heard good things about the ph60. If i nade an impulse buy that would be the one. But i feel like @Low would know a little bit more than me tbh.

But tbh i feel like i might go blue lab just to save a little but know its still reliable. If you scroll up incognito had their blue lab for 4 years with no issues. Thats a good purchase if you ask me.

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Not tracking what I am asking bro. I have a pH meter, the pH20. I need the one for TDS/PPM but there are 2 models and I do not know which one is the one I need.

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Gotcha. I thought you meant which apera device. My bad man. I tend to juggle 15 things to do at once and must have misunderstood.

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exactly what I am asking

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Let me check those out


Both are the same, just measure differently.

EC20 Measures electrical conductivity (EC), indicating the water’s ability to conduct electricity, which correlates with ion concentration. It’s commonly used in hydroponics, pools, and water treatment.

TDS20 Measures total dissolved solids (TDS), representing the concentration of dissolved substances in water, often expressed in parts per million (ppm). It’s suitable for applications like drinking water testing and aquaculture.

It’s kind of just preference.

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BAM!! Thanks Low. TDS20 it is. Ordering now.

I appreciate your time Bro!!

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