Looking to get a good one that doesn’t break the bank. I been looking at bluelab and Apera but not sure on which model to get, so many options now.
What is everyone else using with reliability?
6 Likes
If your water with fertilizer is almost clear i had good results with pH test kit. It may be some points off the real pH but worked for me, like 3 dollar for 500 tests.
10 Likes
I’ve been using an apera ph60 for two years now w/ no problems, there are several positive reviews on this site from ppl using them long term also.
7 Likes
Apera PH20 has been great. I had one for a couple years that went bad from too many drops/bangs. I bought a second one that’s going on 3 years strong. I used to calibrate it every 10-20 days but now I just calibrate it on every grow cycle flip.
The PH60 is a serviceable version & you can replace the probe if broken or bad, the PH20 is not serviceable.
Oh, for the record i used General Hydroponics drops for a long time, but once I bought the PH20 I realized the drops must “go bad” or something because my pH levels were almost 2 full points off when using the drops compared by a brand new calibrated PH20 
6 Likes
Choose a combo (pH and EC) pen with replacable electrode.
Hanna Instruments is a reliable company.
I own the HI 981304.
I bought it second hand 100 euros.
You need to calibrate it every month.
So you need pH 4 and pH 7 solutions for that.
And very important you need a storage solution to keep the electrode hydrated when you not use it.
Before use it rinse it with tap water, cause there is lots of salts in this solution, so measurements wont be good if you dont rinse it.
Then rinse it after use, and it go back in the cap, where there is the storage solution.
With that method you can expect the electrode to last, at least, few years, if you have just one tent i would say most likely 5 years.
5 Likes
I have a Milwaukee ph/ec meter (not the red brand) for many years, probes are now ~$150 for it so I bought this HM Digital for $40. Wish it had a back lit screen as it’s hard to read in a dark res. Does have a hold though. It compensates for temp making calibrating accurate. I do want to replace it with something backlit, my only real complaint. Still use the Milwaukee for EC but also a cheap vivosun one that seems fine.
5 Likes
That’s what I’ve been using the last 2 years as well. Doug Dawson recommended it and I really like it. Came in a kit with calibration solution and does PH as well as EC. Good value for the money in my opinion.
3 Likes
Apera seems the way to go then. I was thinking about the Growstar GS4 (5in1) or either the PH60, i like the growstar incase i need to check EC or TDS and right now they have a 12% off sale for spring.
2 Likes
I have bluelab and am happy with it, i hear the other one is a bit better but not tried that one
2 Likes
So the PH60 does EC and PH?
2 Likes
I use thos one and am very happy with its performance. Apera PH60.
6 Likes
Consider getting separate ec/ph meters just in case you have to replace the ph probe (the one that actually fails).
4 Likes
The one I have does both. It also converts EC to PPM at .500 or .700 scale.
3 Likes
I had the Hanna black one did everyyit was awesome for 190
The blue lab I had the wand an pens
But for the budget that works I have a apera 20 off Amazon it was 48.00$ I feel so far it was work it
I have also done the drops an hit pretty good lol
Well water needs none
1 Like
I have an artesian well but haven’t tested the water yet.
1 Like
Out property has a well an the gardens are beautiful
Here in the city I used drops till last week an the plants were not as happy as this week with the meter
1 Like
Apera or Hannah don’t waste your time with anything else in my opinion.
Bluelab was the biggest waste of money ever. @Rena93 got me their ph meter for me for an Xmas present one year. Started going south with its display and finally wouldn’t stay calibrated and made me start checking with liquid pH testing. For the price never again. Especially since it didn’t even make it a year.
6 Likes
For soil grow with dry amendments really all i ever tested was PH is there any need for EC or ppm if im not going to coco and liquid nutes?
2 Likes
Depends on if you think you might change grow styles anytime soon. I bounce around between organic and salt nutes so it’s good to have both.
2 Likes
Also, don’t let the price tag on the Canadian Amazon. It’s $79.60 on the US site. Comes with the device itself, 3 calibration solutions, some soaking solution and a case to hold it all. I used it for 2 years before having to replace the probe. One of the main reasons I went with this model is the replaceable probe. Save me half the cost of buying a whole new unit. 
4 Likes