Is there an affordable soil meter that’s accurate and checks for pH and TDS?
2 Likes
Hey @Scottmark , welcome aboard! Not too many growers using soil meters. Most use a cheap TDS pen from Amazon, and either BlueLab or AperA instruments for pH. Both also offer combo meters.
8 Likes
Bluelab makes a unit called the ‘Truncheon’ that is supposed to be pretty good, but recommend would be better with a standard meter. Both Apera and Bluelab make good units. You can go cheap on a TDS pen but need to spend the money on a decent PH meter. Don’t forget calibration and storage media too.
7 Likes
Welcome to the forum @Scottmark
This is what I use. Most, if not all soil meters are inaccurate at best. For anything other than a moisture meter. This is what I use but you can find them cheaper on ebay
1 Like
Now know what your bank allows for. But this seems to be one of the only accurate one that can test soil by direct insertion.
2 Likes
Is there a better way of testing the soil without doing a slurry or using a soil meter?
That is a tds meter.
I am moving forward with premise that if i can start with soil in the range of 6.5 (foxfarm ocean forest. ) and ph neutral water the adding my nutes puts it in a good spot and i dont have to adjust. I am able to do this with distilled water and dehumidifier water (which im not sure is great) then do a moderate flush once a month to get out the salts that can form. Then just get in tune with your plants. When i have it right i don’t have to check. The plant will tell you something needs attention. Water chemistry is blowing my mind right now
1 Like
I started with Fox farms Happy frog soil it didn’t start using nutrients until the third week. I’ve been keeping a pH level about 6.4 and have not done a flush yet, I was thinking of doing a fertigation with Cal mag then coming back with newts. I had the same train of thought you did as long as I’m feeding neutral water the soil should be neutral Fox farms is good about sending out soil at neutral. I’m in week 5 now so I’m going to do a flush like you suggest as long as I’m feeding the new for water I should be okay with the pH level but I need to flush to remove the salts. Thanks for the heads up I’m new to this and anything can help.
1 Like
Do you check the ph after you add nutes? Nutes can and often change the ph a bit. So im just wondering if its the nutes i use or generally all nutes that change ph. I know there is ph perfect nutes, but even they get out of wack from time to time, dont they?
1 Like
They definitely do! Ive used foxfarm trio in past grows but now use bermans. Both seem to drop pH from 7.4 to about 6.2
2 Likes