Help on reading EC meter

[wrexican]

Hi guys...Just bought an ec meter, and have some probs reading it..the meter that i bought reads up to 9999µS...

 

this is the link on what i bought..

 

http://www.tdsmeter.com/products/ec3.html

 

anyways, some people are saying that i should water them with .4ec of nutrients at 2 weeks, the question is how do i read this meter then?

 

thanks in advance..

[nitram]

Hi wrexican,

 

Just bought an ec meter, and have some probs reading it..the meter that i bought reads up to 9999µS...

 

this is the link on what i bought..http://www.tdsmeter.com/products/ec3.html

 

Looks like a good choice in meters.

 

The first thing you need to do is to check that the factory calibration is correct (which it often is ok) before you use it. Aways check to be safe. Instructions are HERE

 

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO BUY THE CORRECT 'CALIBRATION SOLUTION'

 

Factory Calibrated: Your meter has been calibrated with a 700 µS NaCl solution. Meters can be recalibrated with a mini-screwdriver.

 

Don't loose that screwdriver - hopefully your container has a slot to hold it. Use a steady hand to turn the screw in the back while in a 'glass' cup to set the meter if it needs adjusting.

 

Measurement Range: 0-9990 µS. From 0-999 µS, the resolution is in increments of 1 µS. From 1000 to 9990 µS, the resolution is in increments of 10 µS, indicated by a blinking 'x10' image.

 

This information tells you that the meter reads the level of dissolved solids in solution at a certain time intervals (every millisecond). Other important information is the "increments" and tells you the measurement scale of your measurements (TDS). Not all TDS & PH pens have the same measurement scale (increments). They are usually on scales of x 10 or x 100. Your's says it is on a x10 scale.

 

Now your probably asking 'well how do i read my ppm, EC and say its is @ EC 1.0 (approx 1/2 strength) or 1.8 or 2.0 (full optimal reasonalbly safe level the plants love. Look @ your readout display and multiply by 10 (ie. move the decimal place one digit to the left. In the case if your meter was on a 100 x scale you would move the decimal place 2 spots to the left on the obtained reading.

 

All you really need to know is that your pen is x 10. Then forget it unless someone asks.

 

Hope this helps

Nitty.

[jimbojones5678]

awesome answer nitty...

 

Jimbo

[wrexican]

Thanks Nitram for the help