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Can this be used for EC?

Posted by ericjwi 9 (My Page) on
Fri, Aug 1, 08 at 13:38

I'm pretty broke right now. Since EC is just electrical conductivity can I just do this off a multimeter (already have):

My Flora Nova has EC readings for tsp/gallon
- Add 1tsp to distilled water to get 1EC off the chart
- Tape multimeter probes together so they will always be at a uniform distance. Take measurement on electrical multimeter and record reading. Use this number as 1EC for later tests.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Can this be used for EC?

This must have been done millions of times. The trouble with this measurement is the DC voltage on the ohm scale introduces polarisation of the ions in solution. Even the probes go into solution (slowly).
Try it . . . you'll see what I mean.


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RE: Can this be used for EC?

If it doesn't work then couldn't I just short the chart a little and dump out the water every 2-3 days to be on the safe side (into one of the other plants in dirt)? PH can be measured from strips so that doesn't worry me much.


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RE: Can this be used for EC?

One guy told me that if you keep your ohm scale probes in FAST flowing water (ie: near the exit of a pump) the readings become a lot more stable.
Why don't you try that.


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RE: Can this be used for EC?

Ericjwi,

Check out this page. It's a DIY conductivity meter, pretty informative and a real interesting read.

http://blea.ch/wiki/index.php/PPM_Meter

Best of luck!

-Brian

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY EC/PPM/Conductivity/TDS


 
 

 

 


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