EC Meters

Bluelab Combo Meter

It’s all you need for simple and reliable crop management.

The Bluelab Combo Meter is a portable pH, conductivity and temperature meter all in one. If you are experiencing problems with yellow leaves, or slow stunted growth, the Bluelab Combo Meter will soon tell you if each parameter is within the plants requirements. Adjustments can be quickly made to get your crop back on track.

The Bluelab Combo Meter has two probes, a Bluelab pH Probe and a Bluelab Conductivity/Temperature Probe. When taking a reading, simply place them into the solution and the selected reading is displayed on screen. As the Bluelab Combo Meter is portable and does not require a power supply to operate, it can be used anywhere, anytime to help you manage your crops’ daily nutrient requirements.

Calibration of the pH probe is simple as instructions are supplied on the back of the meter and the easy push button method makes this one of the simplest meters to use.

The pH probe is replaceable so you can use this meter for years to come. The Conductivity/temperature probe does not require calibration as this is locked in during manufacture.

Often referred to as “The Apple of Meters”!

Features

• Measures pH, conductivity / nutrient (EC, CF, ppm 500 and ppm 700) and temperature (°C, °F)
• Lightweight and portable
• Large easy to read display
• Simple push button pH calibration
• Successful pH calibration indicator
• No calibration required for conductivity and temperature
• Replaceable double junction pH probe included
• Over range and under range indicators
• Low battery indicator
• 2 x AAA alkaline batteries included
• Auto off function

The innovative new handheld Bluelab Pulse™ Meter allows growers to get fast, accurate measurements directly in the root zone sent direct-to-mobile. Enhanced technology sends data directly to the Bluelab Pulse™ app, providing growers with fast and accurate information to better manage crop health, without the need to connect to a computer. 

Pulse measures three key growth components to help growers create their own unique recipe for better yields and consistently healthier plants.

• Moisture - Optimise irrigation cycles and water consumption.
• Nutrients (EC / PPM) - Optimise growth by ensuring the right amount of nutrients at every growth stage.
• Temperature - Spot fluctuations, optimise root function and control the health of biologicals.

Bluelab Pulse Meter Features & benefits

• Test more in a shorter timeframe with fast sensor-response (under 10 seconds per measurement depending on temperature).

• Measures in a range of growing media including; soil, nutrient solution, coco coir blends and potting mix

• Analyse, review and interrogate key data within the app

• Wireless smartphone syncing and back up of all measurements

• Quick in and out of range measurement indicators on the device with Blink™ technology.

• Built in depth gauge to ensure consistent depth measurements

• Information to reduce errors and prevent plant loss

HM Digital TDS-3 Handheld TDS Meter

With its rugged design and build, the TDS-3 is an ideal meter (tool) that can be used for any application; Ranging from water purification, to hydroponics to industrial waste water treatment. It comes with a black vinyl carrying case, protecting it when carried in a toolbox.

Features

• TDS Range: 0 – 9990 ppm (mg/L)
• Temp. Range: 0 – 80 degrees Celsius
• Resolution: 0-999: 1 ppm; 1000-9990: 10 ppm (indicated by a ‘x10’ icon)
• Temperature Resolution: 0.1 degree Celsius (Celsius only)
• Accuracy: +/- 2%
• EC-to-TDS Conversion Factor: NaCl (avg. 0.5)
• ATC: Built-in sensor for Automatic Temperature Compensation of 1 - 50°C
• Power source: 2 x 1.5V button cell batteries (included) (LR44 or equivalent)
• Battery life: 1000 hours of usage
• Dimensions: 15.5 x 3.1 x 2.3cm (6.1 x 1.25 x 1 inches)
• Weight with case: 76.5g (2.7 oz)
• Weight without case: 56.7g (2 oz)

The SoilQuality sensor is a remote sensor which connects to your phone or smart device by Bluetooth and provides real-time data of your growing media! (coco, rockwool & soil)

Soil Quality measures the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of soil and growing media.

At a given temperature, the EC of any growing media is relative to the amount of nutrients - an increase in nutrient produces an increase in Soil Electrical Conductivity. Temperature is a factor that which affects the EC level. The higher the temperature the higher the EC. Most EC agricultural standards are given at 25°C.  As a rule of thumb, the EC of water increases by 2 to 3% for each increase of 1°C.

To capture nutrients in the growing media, a plant needs water so minerals can be dissolved in water and be available as nutrients to the plant. In a dry growing medium a plant will not be able to grow and capture any nutrients. EC is also affected by the soil moisture: when the soil is dry, the EC greatly drops even if there’s minerals available.

Comparison of Nutrient level in time or between different samples should be done based on the same moisture level and temperature.

The 'SoilQuality' moisture measurement is given in Absolute Volume Ratio (AVR), which is the ratio between the volume of water divided by total volume of Soil + Water after mixing both.

At 70% AVR moisture the soil becomes extremely close to a liquid and not adequate for growing. SoilQuality provides a AVR Soil Moisture measurement between 0 to 70% (anything above 70% will still show as 70%).

‘Soil Sensing Probe’ should be gently cleaned with disinfectant alcohol if moisture reading doesn’t reach 70% in water.

Although SoilQuality has been designed to measure EC of moist soil, it can also measure the hydroponics nutrient solutions, however the following precautions should be followed:

• Protective cap should be removed.
• During measurement, the moisture level will be saturated at 70% - this is normal.
• The ‘Soil Sensing Probe’ should be fully immersed into the solution - half immersed Sensor Probe will result in a half reading.
• The measured EC value should be compared with a reference EC value of a buffer solution given at the same temperature as the sampled liquid. Unlike most sensors in the Holland Forge range, this unit does not have ATC ( automatic temperature compensation).
• The ‘Soil Sensing Probe’ should be gently cleaned with disinfectant alcohol if EC reading doesn’t match with expected value