Grow Mediums Two calibrated pH pens, two different readings

[Raggedy Man]

Just as the title reads, how is this possible?
First thing I do out of bed is check ppm & pH so maybe I'm still sleeping. This morning the ph in one tote was 5.5. In the 9 weeks this grow had been working it's always been 5.8 to 6.0. I got my backup pen and the reading was 5.9 so I tested both with 7.0 buffer solution and both of them were good. I checked the 2nd tote and got the same differing results but at least it was within normal range.
It's not the end of the world or anything, just very odd.

 

[bad dragon bzzz]

If the pen is yellow with a black lid,throw it as far as you can

 

[Raggedy Man]

If the pen is yellow with a black lid,throw it as far as you can

How did you know?
My backup pen is several years old but a good more expensive one. I got the cheap yellow/black pen just for this grow as I was sure the old one would be toast but it's always calibrates good. I think maybe it's time to get a 2nd "good" pen.

 

[Animatey]

How did you know?
My backup pen is several years old but a good more expensive one. I got the cheap yellow/black pen just for this grow as I was sure the old one would be toast but it's always calibrates good. I think maybe it's time to get a 2nd "good" pen.

Worth it to have a good pH meter in hydro. Not sure if that's what you're doing but if you're measuring totes it might be

I'm happy with my Apera meter. I do two points calibration every 2 weeks and a lot of times it doesn't even need the calibration. I started storing it in storage solution and that made a huge difference. You can keep meters a long time in storage solution and they won't go bad.

I saw a video of a guy trying to 2 point calibrate one of those cheaper yellow meters and after he calibrated the second point, the first point no longer measured correctly....

 

[Stroke1]

If the pen is yellow with a black lid,throw it as far as you can

Lol. Be careful, they offer it in different colors now. Blue with a black lid. Same , different toilet.

 

[Arthur]

One calibration fluid? I calibrate at 3 settings, pH 4 6.86 and 9. The middle can be spot on, and still get drift at the ends.

 

[whiteeaglee]

Thanks for your help. Can you suggest a good PH pen 100.00-$150.00

 

[Animatey]

I'm actually pretty happy with my 80$ meter

Amazon product ASIN B01ENFOIQE
Used for about 8 months now on 3 different crops. Store it in storage solution and calibrate it every couple weeks and you are golden. I like how it takes AAA batteries as well so I can change them easily if needed.

I have not yet had to change the batteries, the screen still shows them at full power, but it's nice to have the option.

Also the temperature probe on that pen works pretty fast, especially compared to the one on my EC meter.

Overall hard to beat for 80$ and it comes with enough storage solution and calibration solutions to last a month or so while you shop around for more.

 

[jrok (JaysBuds)]

The BlueLabs pens are pretty amazing, I calibrate with two points every couple weeks. I could use a backup replacement too though and will probably check out the Apera too... damn those black cap POS meters!

 

[Olderfart]

The BlueLabs pens are pretty amazing, I calibrate with two points every couple weeks. I could use a backup replacement too though and will probably check out the Apera too... damn those black cap POS meters!

I replaced a dead, new, cheapie with the Apera, and it has worked flawlessly for me. Highly recommended.

The good news is the crap meter died right away, so back to Amazon it went for a full refund.