Cheatp Ph pen vs BlueLab Guardian

[x00m]

Hi everyone,

i was using a cheap Ph pen which was calibrated a while ago.. And with that i had the hydro ph set to 5.9. Then one day i landed on a brand new guardian monitor by bluelab and with the ph probe calibrated.. the same water in my res showed a ph of 4.4 with my guardian.

are the cheap ph pens really that off compared to the bluelab stuff?

i have since corrected the ph back to 5.8-5.9 according to my bluelab guardian now.

 

[Arthur]

All pens need to ge calibrated regularly. I doubt I get 2 weeks between calibrations. Cheap pens need it more often to almost every time.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Hi everyone,

i was using a cheap Ph pen which was calibrated a while ago.. And with that i had the hydro ph set to 5.9. Then one day i landed on a brand new guardian monitor by bluelab and with the ph probe calibrated.. the same water in my res showed a ph of 4.4 with my guardian.

are the cheap ph pens really that off compared to the bluelab stuff?

i have since corrected the ph back to 5.8-5.9 according to my bluelab guardian now.

It is important to calibrate the Blue Lab Sensor in Fresh PH 7 - 4 solutions. Then check to see that the meter is reading those solutions correctly. After that I would trust the Blue Lab.

Yes a cheap PH pen doing just what yours is doing cost me a 6 plant crop. Take good care of that probe and it will last a year or more.

 

[TheFerret]

I've had great luck with mine from Apera, its cheaper than the blue lab

Amazon product

 

[DCLXVI]

Be sure to pick up calibration fluid and storage solution for your probes. If your BlueLab unit is new it may have a bit of break in time and it could be just slightly drifting with the pH readings. Just check it once a week with the calibration fluid until it settles in and you are sure it's stable. Do store the probe tips in the correct solution so they stay accurate and work properly for a long time. It's not just water.

 

[Olderfart]

I have been using my Apera for more than a year now, hundreds of readings. Every time I have checked the calibration, probably ten or so times, it has been within 0.05 ph or so, which is close enough for me. I rigorously prevent the probe from drying - it is either in storage solution or it is in test solution, never in air for more than 20 - 30 seconds or so, usually less. I store the probe in 3M KCL solution that I make myself. Cheap, and apparently effective. The commercial storage solutions are a rip off in my opinion. I change the storage solution in the cap regularly to keep it clean and undiluted.

So far, I could not be happier with the Apera. It also has a replaceable probe, so when the time comes, getting it back in business will not be expensive.

 

[x00m]

thanks for the replies. the bluelab i have is correctly calibrated as per the instructions that came with the unit... i hadnt calibrated my cheap ph pen since i purchased it 1 year ago.

i will now be buying loads of calibration buffers haha for the future.

 

[Bob's Auto's]

3M KCL solution that I make myself.

I do the same, but I always thought 1M KCL was enough?

 

[Olderfart]

I do the same, but I always thought 1M KCL was enough?

The only figures I have seen is 3M, but it may be specific to different brands. At some point I may have seen 4M, but can't guarantee that. In any case, 3M when I made it seems to be fully saturated at room temperature, so I am not sure how you could make 4M.

The molar concentration of storage fluid, I think, is intended to be the same osmotic strength as the KCL solution inside the probe, but I can't refer you to an authority on it. Support staff for your probe may know - OTOH, they may not be willing to tell. After all, they would much rather that you pay for proprietary storage fluid rather than having you buy a lifetime supply for a fraction of the cost of a few mls of their stuff.

Having said that, I kinda think that 1M is a bit thin... If I were you, I would see if you can find information on the requirements of your specific probe.

Good luck with it.

 

[BallsackSal]

I've had great luck with mine from Apera, its cheaper than the blue lab

Amazon product

Was about to post this exact same comment