In this post we will explain how to calibrate a ph tester. The Ph scale values define how acid or alcaline a medium is. In this case, digital ph testers are measuring tools that need to be calibrated once in a while to assure they still show the proper water ph values. A good reading of nutrient solution's ph value is a must for plant's health, so it is very important to known if our ph-tester is giving right values. From SantYerbasi we recommend to calibrate a ph tester at least once per growing cycle (being recommended to do it once every month).
Cannabis plants in growing stage like a pH value between 5.8 and 6.0, while plants during its flowering stage like a bit higher pH value arround 6.0-6.2. Setting the nutrient solution to these values is a very important thing to do if we want our plants to intake as quick as possible all nutrients added to feeding chart.
A common error in-between growers is not paying atention to maintenance of their ph-testers, so today we will explain how to calibrate a pH tester step by step to avoid errors.
There a digital ph testers that should be calibrated using two points of reference (usually 4.0 and 7.0) while others just need one reference (in this case, due to being closer to the range used in cannabis growth we recommend calibrate the ph-testers with a 7.0 buffer solution).
Calibrate a pH tester is an easy job, we only need a buffer solution (these liquids have a certain ph, for example 7.0, so once the ph-tester's probe is submerged in it should show 7.0 on the screen). If submerging the probe in the liquid the reading is not correct, we should proceed to calibrate the ph tester.
Which factors may play a role in a ph-tester bad reading?
In general there are 3 possible factors that could generate a bad reading of the water's ph value:
1.- Tester is not calibrated.
2.- Probe is dirty.
3.- Low level of batteries.
Calibrate a pH tester step by step:
1.- Open the 7.0 buffer solution liquid.
2.- Submerge the ph probe in the buffer solution.
3.- Proceed with the reading.
4.- Adjust the reading to what should be (in the back of the tester there is a screw that can be screwed or unscrewed. We should turn it until the tester shows what the buffer solution number is).
5.- tester is calibrated.
What happens if turning the screw we arrive to the end of the screw route and the reading is still not right?
There are two possibilities of this to happen:
1.- The pH probe is dirty and gives false readings.
2.- The ph probe has arrived to the end of its life.
In the first case we should buy a ph's buffer cleaning solution, submerge the probe in it for 24 hours, and then try to calibrate the pH tester again.
In the second case won't be any other solution than buying a new ph probe (in case that spare parts are available), or a new pH tester.
How can I extend the life of a pH tester?
Tester's pH probes are something weak, so it is recommended to take care of them, specially of our tester it's been unused for a while.
Our main tip is to keep the pH probe clean, so we recommend to our readers to clean it (using RO water, or distilled water, after using. This may prevent against salt accumulation on it that may reduce it life.
Another good tip, if we do know we won't use the pH tester for a while, is to buy a storage solution buffer. We only need to fill the lid of the tester with this solution, and keep it in vertical position during its storage.
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