Silicate and pH- and EC-meters

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Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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It's true, it's a physical phenomen - osmotic balance in fluids.
The inner of the probe is filled with a KCl-solution and that glass acts as a semi-permeable membrane. Upon contact with RO the inner ions are drawn into the outside water. Reducing the inner concentration of electrolytes, which are however used to measure the water.
Yup yup you can make your own storage solution with potassium chloride… cheap af. A quick rinse in RO is ok but always store in the KCL it will kake a difference in probe life
 
N1ghtL1ght

N1ghtL1ght

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Bro, tried it with that storage fluid, but it's just evaporating in a day or 2 leaving a crystallic-salty residue. The chloridic fumes set foot on many sites. I'm not even sure if I wanna have such a substance openly at all...
IMG 20200810 094400
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

26,480
638
Bro, tried it with that storage fluid, but it's just evaporating in a day or 2 leaving a crystallic-salty residue. The chloridic fumes set foot on many sites. I'm not even sure if I wanna have such a substance openly at all...View attachment 1282971
Yeah he must have it in a bad spot… that would happen even with bought solution as it evaporates… bluelab have a sealed cap with a sponge.


looks like he has far more KLC than could be dissolved also. Ive dont this for a long time and never seen that
 
RootsRuler

RootsRuler

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I've used Bluelab Pens for years. The EC pens I just rinse in RO water and let dry in the atmosphere. PH pens I rinse with RO and fill the sensor cap with RO. I typically recalibrate every few weeks or so and I've never had an issue with accuracy or reliability.
 
Wolf6an6

Wolf6an6

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I've used Bluelab Pens for years. The EC pens I just rinse in RO water and let dry in the atmosphere. PH pens I rinse with RO and fill the sensor cap with RO. I typically recalibrate every few weeks or so and I've never had an issue with accuracy or reliability.
 
Wolf6an6

Wolf6an6

40
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Gooood morning and thanks for all your input!🙏🙋🏼💥

I've been using Bluelab's Truncheon since the beginning of the 2000s and never had a complaint. It just got old so I bought new pH- and EC-pens. Lifetime guarantee? Hmmm, there was this thing with the bill/invoice🤔 People buy their stuff here usually in cash for legal reasons😉

I've never used RO or distilled water. Our water is good and soft and without additives. It's Norway man!😛

Thank you all for loads of good advice here! You're really an active and helpful bunch👍🙏🍀Anyway, i ordered a cheap new one, just to be on the safe side.

A lot of good suggestions when it comes to silica and soil or Coco or Rockwool or+++. Now, I'll be using my new closed-loop AEROPONIC system (T.A. former GHE). It's my second one after my Dutch-Aero (5/5) gave me the best results for more than a decade. Aeroponics means that the roots only are sprayed and there is no medium apart from water. Mixing the silica in the tank and waiting for a couple of hours is no option because it will harm the roots to shut off the system for so long. 10 to 15 minutes is still a range I feel comfortable with and this is the time I have to make a new nutrient solution. Maybe I should mix the silica in advance in a different container???? Suddenly the silicate brings new challenges with Aeroponics......

Anybody who has any experience with Aeroponics and how to prepare a (new) tank with nutrition?

As informative as all of you are to me, I have to admit that it also creates insecurities in me. I didn't do anything wrong in the last decades so maybe I just should stop to worry😛😉

Have a nice Sunday and enjoy your breakfast like we do our Wedding-Cake😅🕉️

🐺 from 🇸🇯
 
Wolf6an6

Wolf6an6

40
18
Gooood morning and thanks for all your input!🙏🙋🏼💥

I've been using Bluelab's Truncheon since the beginning of the 2000s and never had a complaint. It just got old so I bought new pH- and EC-pens. Lifetime guarantee? Hmmm, there was this thing with the bill/invoice🤔 People buy their stuff here usually in cash for legal reasons😉

I've never used RO or distilled water. Our water is good and soft and without additives. It's Norway man!😛

Thank you all for loads of good advice here! You're really an active and helpful bunch👍🙏🍀Anyway, i ordered a cheap new one, just to be on the safe side.

A lot of good suggestions when it comes to silica and soil or Coco or Rockwool or+++. Now, I'll be using my new closed-loop AEROPONIC system (T.A. former GHE). It's my second one after my Dutch-Aero (5/5) gave me the best results for more than a decade. Aeroponics means that the roots only are sprayed and there is no medium apart from water. Mixing the silica in the tank and waiting for a couple of hours is no option because it will harm the roots to shut off the system for so long. 10 to 15 minutes is still a range I feel comfortable with and this is the time I have to make a new nutrient solution. Maybe I should mix the silica in advance in a different container???? Suddenly the silicate brings new challenges with Aeroponics......

Anybody who has any experience with Aeroponics and how to prepare a (new) tank with nutrition?

As informative as all of you are to me, I have to admit that it also creates insecurities in me. I didn't do anything wrong in the last decades so maybe I just should stop to worry😛😉

Have a nice Sunday and enjoy your breakfast like we do our Wedding-Cake😅🕉️

🐺 from 🇸🇯
I have to correct myself. I just found out that "a small of Calcium" is added to our potable tapwater😉 My Bluelab-pen can give me a 0.0 or 0.1 reading. My chinese 'Wish-meter' (6$) gives me readings between 0.5 and 0.65).
 
azmmjadvocates

azmmjadvocates

442
43
Hi folks🙋🏼
Does silicate create a film on my (Bluelab) pH- and EC-pens? I've been using silicate for my last two or three growths and it gives me this impression.
And then ...what's the best way to clean the probe(s)??🤔
Kind regards from 🇸🇯
🐺
If EC not properly cleaned w distilled water it will leave contaminants. Use a spray bottle to spray Ec/TDS over a bucket that you use to purge all mixing utinsils as well,.

After spayed 2 or 3 times the distilled water draws any Dissolved solids away from probe electrodes,l. Wipe exterior probe with paper towel, fold dry portion paper towel and gently run between electrodes until no moisture seen.

Do not spray distilled water on ph meteres, unless manufacturer states to do so. clean ph meteres with low tds nutrient solution then place in storage solution after a gentile shake and exterior wipe of dry towel, don't wipe the ph probe it needs the coating and cannot become dry.

That's what I do and have long life on meters even the ph600
 
Last edited:
strainguy

strainguy

58
18
Hi folks🙋🏼
Does silicate create a film on my (Bluelab) pH- and EC-pens? I've been using silicate for my last two or three growths and it gives me this impression.
And then ...what's the best way to clean the probe(s)??🤔
Kind regards from 🇸🇯
🐺
bluelab has its brands cleaners, they work well
 
Wolf6an6

Wolf6an6

40
18
bluelab has its brands cleaners, they work well
After a good cleaning with tapwater and a soft toothbrush (Bluelab explicitly mentions not to use RO- or distilled water), 2 new rounds off calibration (with the Bluelab product-line) both meters seem to work fine again. In addition I've bought a cheap pH-meter (yellow, same meter available with prints from several companies ....probably the in here mentioned 'Vivosun pH-meter').
Now I have 2 meters and I feel safe😉 I already had a cheap Chinese EC-meter which I use as a control unit.
Btw, my pH-pen must be at least 10 years old😛
Thanks again for all your contributions!♥️🌱🙏🕉️
 
Deadstill

Deadstill

I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.
Supporter
2,161
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After a good cleaning with tapwater and a soft toothbrush (Bluelab explicitly mentions not to use RO- or distilled water), 2 new rounds off calibration (with the Bluelab product-line) both meters seem to work fine again. In addition I've bought a cheap pH-meter (yellow, same meter available with prints from several companies ....probably the in here mentioned 'Vivosun pH-meter').
Now I have 2 meters and I feel safe😉 I already had a cheap Chinese EC-meter which I use as a control unit.
Btw, my pH-pen must be at least 10 years old😛
Thanks again for all your contributions!♥️🌱🙏🕉️
Can't go wrong with BlueLab. In my opinion they will last a very long time - if you treat them with the respect that their price demands. Don't ever drop them, tap them hard on a surface, or abuse them in any way. Clean them regularly, don't let the pH pen dry out, store them in a safe place where the temperature is well controlled, and they will last forever.
 
Wolf6an6

Wolf6an6

40
18
Can't go wrong with BlueLab. In my opinion they will last a very long time - if you treat them with the respect that their price demands. Don't ever drop them, tap them hard on a surface, or abuse them in any way. Clean them regularly, don't let the pH pen dry out, store them in a safe place where the temperature is well controlled, and they will last forever.
My beloved Truncheon which was from the first batch ever arriving Europe died after years of not using it. Maybe temperatures between -30⁰C (-22⁰F) and + 30⁰C (86⁰F) weren't the ideal storage conditions?!?😬🤯. Still, I'm keeping it and one day I'll fix it again even when the guys @ Bluelab told me that it's probably just too old😛 Good stuff, definitely, from these Aussies💪👍
 
Deadstill

Deadstill

I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.
Supporter
2,161
263
My beloved Truncheon which was from the first batch ever arriving Europe died after years of not using it. Maybe temperatures between -30⁰C (-22⁰F) and + 30⁰C (86⁰F) weren't the ideal storage conditions?!?😬🤯. Still, I'm keeping it and one day I'll fix it again even when the guys @ Bluelab told me that it's probably just too old😛 Good stuff, definitely, from these Aussies💪👍
Oh yeah and don't forget to take the batteries out if you plan on storing it for a long time!
 

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