New Grower Testing with CWP pH8 soil meter - what do I need to know?

[Kels59]

Oh wise AFN canna gurus, I need some enlightenment. I just got my CWP pH8 soil meter. I have started testing soil in 3 of our girls so far (have a few more to test) about mid way down and all the way down and in 3-4 different locations in their airpots. We grow in FF Ocean Forest which is said by some to have unstable pH issues. I am getting readings ranging from 6.3 to 7.0 so far. Fox Farm says Ocean Forest is pH adjusted to 6.3-6.8 which is pretty much inline with the readings I am getting on plants that are maybe 2-3 weeks from harvest. What do I do with this soil pH data? Do I need to make any changes to the regime? Seems to me this should be ok? Just pH my water and feed 1/2 strength FF nutes as I have been and check my soil pH (how often?)?

 

[Chester]

I'd continue as you are ... ph sounds good and you're nearing harvest ... pots often have a variety of zones w/ wide ranging ph. The soil probe allows you to know if the ph of your soil is badly off and is good to have when you need it ...

 

[Kels59]

I'd continue as you are ... ph sounds good and you're nearing harvest ... pots often have a variety of zones w/ wide ranging ph. The soil probe allows you to know if the ph of your soil is badly off and is good to have when you need it ...

Thanks @Chester that's what I figured, but wanted to double check. We have really had no problems with Ocean Forest, but based on info I am getting from AFN am considering changing medium for next grow.

 

[lunarman]

@Kels59 do you have a digital PH pen to test the water/feed you are putting in the pots? I have the PH 8 and like it a lot. Tell's me what is going on in the pots. If I see PH is up or down too much in the pot I PH the water to a value I want it at that will correct what is going on in the pot. And you need a pen to read the PH of the water in order to do that.

 

[FlowEst]

Sorry to hijack. But whats the best probe available at the moment? Everybody keeps suggesting Accurate 8. Looking for a good quality and availability from aliexpress.
Thanks


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[Kels59]

@Kels59 do you have a digital PH pen to test the water/feed you are putting in the pots? I have the PH 8 and like it a lot. Tell's me what is going on in the pots. If I see PH is up or down too much in the pot I PH the water to a value I want it at that will correct what is going on in the pot. And you need a pen to read the PH of the water in order to do that.

Hi @lunarman. Sorry so slow to respond I just now saw this. I didn't get a notification. Yes I have a pH pen that cost around $25 (not one of the preferred brands) I test water/feed with and adjust as necessary with pH up or pH down. I calibrate it about every third use. So far we've had no terrible deficiencies or pH lockout in Happy Frog/Ocean Forest soil so it seems to be working ok after 4 months ... or we've just been lucky. Also have a $30 ec/tds meter I use because I have hard water that I mix with distilled water to get around 100 PPM. Plan on getting the Blue Lab combination meter that tests liquid pH and EC/PPM sometime soon ... when I can afford it.

 

[Kels59]

Sorry to hijack. But whats the best probe available at the moment? Everybody keeps suggesting Accurate 8. Looking for a good quality and availability from aliexpress.
Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi @FlowEst sorry slow to respond. For soil I am told the Accurate 8. For liquid pH either Blue Lab, Hanna, and there's one more I can't remember the name of and will have to look up for you. I am going to get the Blue Lab combo meter when I have the bucks. It measures liquid pH, ec, ppm, temperature and you can also get a soil probe for it to measure soil pH. It's pricey pushing $200 but a good long term investment. You could just get a Blue Lab pH pen for less at around $75-80. Just checked and looks like you can get the Hanna pH meter on Aliexpress, but not Blue Lab. Hope this helps.