pH Pens Anyone Use Them

hey guys was just wondering does any one use them pH tester pens.
OK i got one off the net the other week, checked it tap water in my house and it was about 8 so i added a bit of lemon juice to bring it down to 6 that as grand, had it all worked out then they other day the shut off the water to my house for a day and when it came back on the pH was reading 4.2, i thought it was off so i reset it t milk which i know is 6.5 now its reading 4.8 on my water any thoughts o hears a link to the exact one im use,
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/DIGITAL-pH-METER-POOL-SPA-AQUARIUM-WINE-WATER-TESTER-UK-/280772433713?pt=UK_Home_Garden_GardenEquipment_HandTools_SM&hash=item415f575731

Get some proper ph up & down the lemon juice & milk method will only work temporarily..

i have some ordered but im asking is my pen broke its no good use in up and down when i don't even know what my actual pH is

cheese man said:

i have some ordered but im asking is my pen broke its no good use in up and down when i don't even know what my actual pH is

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When you get you pH pen you need to calibrate it with calibration solution (4.0 & 7.0) that way you will get accurate readings.. have you done this yet?

i never got a solution i just got the pen and a small screw driver to calibrate
it but i used bottled water

cheese man said:

i never got a solution i just got the pen and a small screw driver to calibrate
it but i used bottled water

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Get the ph calibration solutions then you'll get acurate readings every time, don't use bottled water or milk etc for calibration they're just not accurate enough

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BUFFER-4-7-PH-CALIBRATION-PACK-FREE-PIPETTE-2-CUPS-/270824975304?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item3f0e6d2bc8

Hey Ed, is it as important to check run-off out of a soilless potting mix?

It needs to be calibrated at least every couple of months, and always store the pen with 7.0 calibration solution in the sponge. Always rinse off the meter after each use with distilled water, and shake off.

The pen is the lifeblood of a grow.....and I suggest spending a few dollars on at least General Hydroponics citrus based PH up and PH down.....you'll always use the down, and the up once in a while when you go too far.

A nice way to gently raise the PH a little is using silica.....you're plants will give you a wet kiss for it too.

couldnt be without my ph pens................

birddogg said:

Hey Ed, is it as important to check run-off out of a soilless potting mix?

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To be honest most soil-less mixes are buffered already I have probably only checked run-off of my ph once.. I just make sure I give the soil less mix (be it coco, hydroton pebbles or rockwool) a good soak in the correct ph'd water/nutes to start with

If u have just a ph pen and not a combo meter u just need the 7.0 calibration fluid. And i always check mine with that shit everytime before i use it just to make sure cause my water sucks ass. We just got a nice r.o. system so now at least that part is a thing of the past as far as the t.d.s. go. Now my water is ph of 8.0 and I also recommend the ph up and down. U should always check t.d.s and ph going in and the run off.