pH/TDS meter - Orchid Board

britbloke · #1 03-11-2011, 10:01 PM

Does anyone have a recommended (modestly priced) pH meter and TDS meter and a good supplier?

RosieC · #2 03-13-2011, 09:36 AM

Sorry I can't help. Just giving you a bump, and I've moved the question to 'Parts and Equipment' in the hope you get more help there.

neb · #3 03-14-2011, 08:30 PM

I hope someone can answer your question soon. I have been thinking about buying some meters too.

britbloke · #4 03-14-2011, 08:57 PM

My question is borne out of a recent experience with my orchids...
Although my plants grow fairly well, I have an occasional plant that exhibits a vibrant green growing tip suddenly collapse and turn black. I checked with a knowledgeable contact who confirmed excessive salts. When I checked with the local water utility they said, pH 8.3 and TDS of 375...Wow! I concluded it had less to do with me trying to add too much fertilizer than the "base" water supply.
I have a cheap pH meter (bought for a few $'s, thinking even if it was inaccurate I might at least get a relative reading)... The bottom line is it's useless...
I've now gone to rain-water, but fear that might not be feasible all year round...

Discus · #5 03-15-2011, 05:02 AM

If you run out of rain water, you should be able to find an emergency stash of distilled or RO water at a shop near you. You could also think about installing a RO filter at home; firstrays sells them very economically in the USA (mine cost a small fortune here in South Africa, but I was quite pedantic about the specs - waiting for a plumber to install a T so I can get it working...!).

Most laboratory supply companies will sell pH and TDS meters; Hanna make some nice fairly accurate and fairly affordable units. It's a good idea to get some calibration solutions too if you want to maintain accuracy. I have a combined TDS/pH unit.

You consider if you belong to an orchid society, the society could purchase one and keep it calibrated and test member water samples at meetings as a service. Having your own is handy though.

keithrs · #6 03-16-2011, 11:48 PM

You can made your own RO water system for pretty cheap.... Most run a 3 stage system.

WaterAnywhere

RJSquirrel · #7 03-17-2011, 12:36 AM

+1 for hanna meters,
spend the money for the combo TDS, EC, and PH meter

DavidCampen · #8 03-17-2011, 02:29 PM

I like my Hanna handheld TDS meter that I bought through Amazon. It is only a TDS meter, pH meters are more expensive than TDS meters.

britbloke · #9 03-17-2011, 03:44 PM

Sounds like Hanna meters are a good place to start...Thanks

Discus · #10 03-18-2011, 05:23 AM

Get one that does combo pH, TDS and temperature, that way it stays fairly accurate no matter what the temperature. The model I link to in my earlier post does this.