Recently, I visited a hydroponic supply brick and mortar store to look
at TDS meters. They had some from the low end to $150+. Some needed
calibration (the cheaper ones) and some of the more expensive ones were
self calibrating.

What are others using and would you recommend it to another grower?

Good Growing,
Gene

Sorry Gene, I'm no help. I have one, but don't use it.

K Barrett

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
...
Recently, I visited a hydroponic supply brick and mortar store to look
at TDS meters. They had some from the low end to $150+. Some needed
calibration (the cheaper ones) and some of the more expensive ones were
self calibrating.

What are others using and would you recommend it to another grower?

Good Growing,
Gene

TDS meters should only be used as point-of-reference devices.

They are merely cheap electrical conductivity (EC) meters that have a
built-in conversion factor for solids. Unfortunately, the conversion factor
should change with the specific ions in the solution to be measured, making
the built-in one worthless for "real" data. Read this:
http://www.firstrays.com/tds_and_ec.htm

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
...
Recently, I visited a hydroponic supply brick and mortar store to look
at TDS meters. They had some from the low end to $150+. Some needed
calibration (the cheaper ones) and some of the more expensive ones were
self calibrating.

What are others using and would you recommend it to another grower?

Good Growing,
Gene

Hi Gene,

I use a Hanna 9813 pH/EC/TDS meter ($171 Hummert 2003/2004) and have had
great luck with it. I bought the $25 protective boot and the thing has
lived in the greenhouse for years. It has been dropped, dripped on, and
mistreated but still is a reliable work horse that always seems ready to go.
Before this meter I used the DIST WP4 ($52 Hummert 2003/2004). I was not
happy with this unit and replaced it although it still worked.

Pat


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
...
Recently, I visited a hydroponic supply brick and mortar store to look
at TDS meters. They had some from the low end to $150+. Some needed
calibration (the cheaper ones) and some of the more expensive ones were
self calibrating.

What are others using and would you recommend it to another grower?

Good Growing,
Gene

I use two,a PH pen and a EC us/cm (micro siemens) more accurate than TDS ppm
pen,i have had no problems and would recommend.They are also good value and
do the job,i was going to get a Hanna test meter but the expense/replacement
probes put me off.
I got mine from a Ebay store in the UK.The EC meter is the same from this
store=
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Digital-Conduc...QQcmdZViewItem
and the PH pen is similar

Hope this helps in deciding .
Thanks Keith


"Pat Brennan" wrote in message
g.com...
Hi Gene,

I use a Hanna 9813 pH/EC/TDS meter ($171 Hummert 2003/2004) and have had
great luck with it. I bought the $25 protective boot and the thing has
lived in the greenhouse for years. It has been dropped, dripped on, and
mistreated but still is a reliable work horse that always seems ready to
go. Before this meter I used the DIST WP4 ($52 Hummert 2003/2004). I was
not happy with this unit and replaced it although it still worked.

Pat


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
...
Recently, I visited a hydroponic supply brick and mortar store to look
at TDS meters. They had some from the low end to $150+. Some needed
calibration (the cheaper ones) and some of the more expensive ones were
self calibrating.

What are others using and would you recommend it to another grower?

Good Growing,
Gene

Here is a link to a US ebay sellar with the same PH meter & EC meter as i
use, check out their store?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/pH-Meter-for-H...QQcmdZViewItem

Keith


"keith kent" wrote in message
...
I use two,a PH pen and a EC us/cm (micro siemens) more accurate than TDS
ppm pen,i have had no problems and would recommend.They are also good value
and do the job,i was going to get a Hanna test meter but the
expense/replacement probes put me off.
I got mine from a Ebay store in the UK.The EC meter is the same from this
store=
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Digital-Conduc...QQcmdZViewItem
and the PH pen is similar

Hope this helps in deciding .
Thanks Keith


"Pat Brennan" wrote in message
g.com...
Hi Gene,

I use a Hanna 9813 pH/EC/TDS meter ($171 Hummert 2003/2004) and have had
great luck with it. I bought the $25 protective boot and the thing has
lived in the greenhouse for years. It has been dropped, dripped on, and
mistreated but still is a reliable work horse that always seems ready to
go. Before this meter I used the DIST WP4 ($52 Hummert 2003/2004). I was
not happy with this unit and replaced it although it still worked.

Pat


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
...
Recently, I visited a hydroponic supply brick and mortar store to look
at TDS meters. They had some from the low end to $150+. Some needed
calibration (the cheaper ones) and some of the more expensive ones were
self calibrating.

What are others using and would you recommend it to another grower?

Good Growing,
Gene