which should i buy first or is litmus paper sensitive enough?

In the long run you will need both. EC/TDS/PPM pens are very useful. Find one on ebay for a decent price. As well as a pH Pen.

If your pH is off, you might show signs on nute burn when in fact its just fine. But if you are having problems u think are nutrients, maybe your pH is out of balance.

Best to save the money u would have bought on Litmus and just save for a Couple testers!

Good luck!

I've heard the paper testers don't work very well. You could start off without one and just watch your plants if you're an experienced grower. Have you ever grown in soil before? Hydro is a bit harder, because you don't have the soil to act as a buffer.

If you're a fast reader, you can compare the pictures between your grow and someone having problems. Nice, healthy green leaves are what you want. The public libraries have hydoponic books.

Check out the combo's Hanna has. They do PH and EC, PPM. I tried a TDS pen and a milwake PH pen . They crapped out on me I got the HANNA and been working for months with no problems and don't forget calibration solutions to test pens. Otherwise buy a pool or pond PH test kit with the drops. I keep one around just in case. In hydro PH is king, it must be right. Just remember ( If you go cheap you grow cheap).

Having a few crops, the cheepest thing you will buy is a real good meter. If I were starting out today I would put $300 bucks aside for a Omega meter. Why because if you trust you meter , you can make the bitches put out , and put out. They only last about 20 years or longer. Meters are the weakest link in growing. Next is ferts, then timming, and last good normal lighting.

I will check those out oldsanclem. I'm back to work for good bucks and need a good one. Use mine for backup.

the problem with combo pens is that if it takes a 'dump' you lose all your meters...I would go with ph and follw directions or use 1/2 strength formula.

you shouldn't have a problem if you follow directions...

the ph, however is critical in my opinion...unless you use ROwater you will fight ph all the time...consistent ph is one of the most important necessities, in growing healthy plants...rememher...ph...too high or too low and your plant will not uptake vital nutrients...So, Imho, get a ph pen! lw

My Hanna meter just crapped out on me don't get one. What's a good PH meter that's cheap ?

I've had a Sharp PH meter for years and it still works great.

Herbus

I have a Milwaukee (nice)...ph pen and a hanna tds pen, but I am upgrading ASAP...tough luck on the bad Hanna LOC NAR

Thanks man. I had a milwaukee ph pen to go first and then my sunleaves TDS meter go and now my Hanna. Looking around now ,I like the pens as I have more than one res.

Man, Loc Nar...what are you doing to your pens?...these are supposed to last awhile!

I don't know. I don't get them all wet and I keep them out of the sunlight and I don't feed them after midnight. LOL. I keep them clean but the lcd or electronics Craps out. I just payed 60 bucks for a PH probe for the Hanna. Then I thought it was bateries but not. I will try manufacture to see what I can do.