Advice on buying a pH meter.

[babagmn]

I would like to buy a pH meter and see that they come in a range of prices. What kind do I need to get for a A/B extraction Tek. I know that it's only optional but I would like to measure things as I am learning this process.

Will a basic fish tank one be ok or even a soil pH meter? I assume that I don't really need and expensive lab meter.

Thanks

 

[Varallo]

Just get some pH paper it’s cheap and provides good enough information, if you really need an electronic one keep in mind it’s going to need regular calibration and maintenance to get accurate measurements. Also the cheap ones are not as reliable and are outperformed by more specific range ph paper.

 

[babagmn]

Really? Some pH paper will be enough? I was hoping to buy a reasonably priced toy/ meter to add to my other gear.

 

[Varallo]

Wel it’s good to experiment with things but the reality is that the pH meters are sensitive to users who are inexperienced with the maintenance and calibration of the sensors. Then there is the issue of what is reasonably priced, the pen variants are mostly designed for water management purposes so think pools or ponds and are not really designed for continuous measuring of reactions. The ones that are suitable from for example Hana instruments are a couple hundred of dollars to start with.

Paper offers a good alternative and for our hobby is more than enough, the most accurate reading we need is probably for the separation of harmalas.

Maybe one of chemist here have a tip on a reasonable priced ph meter that is relatively easy to use.