Can someone please explain the purpose of Ph buffers. Do you need them? Why are there specific amounts? Do they correlate with Ph up/down or IS ph up/down a buffer in its own? I bought a hanna 4 in one combo gro check. It came calibrated already but included Ph 4.01 and Ph 7.01 solutions for calibration? What are these packets? Do I need them? They are 20 mL each. Are these one time applications? Can I use them more than once? How do you store it if you can use it more than once because they came in packets similiar to fast food ketchup packets. All comments appreciated.

Thanks

you use those to calibrate your pen I do mine every few months those packets are for 1 use after that get new ones or they sell bottles that you can pure some into a cup and calibrate those last a while.

OK, the buffer that you find in certain nutes help to stabilize that particular nute at a PH that it works well with, but sometimes the buffer in nutes can take the PH too low, for instance I use a nute with a built in PH buffer and it takes the PH all the way down to 4.5 sometimes and that being too low, I have to use my PH up and bring it back up to 5.7 or what ever I am wanting at that time. PH down helps when you have a PH that is to high, in hydro, 6.0/6.2 is around as high as you want to go IMO and staying under 6.0 is really best and above 5.3/5.5.
Those solution packages you got with your pen are for testing and adjusting your pen, after a while, sometimes a week, sometimes a month, it depends on the quality of your pen, you will want to test your pens calibration by poring that liquid into a little cup/bowl/lid of somesoart and placing the pen into the solution, the pen should read the same PH or TDS of the solution that you used, example, PH 4 solution you should get a reading of 4. The same goe's for TDS.
Hope this helps some
Adieu

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"If what shone afar so grand,
Turn to nothing in thy hand,
On again; the virtue lies
In struggle, not the prize."--R. M. Milnes.
Hugh Miller said the only school in which he was properly taught
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I'm new to the world of ph and ec/tds, but in my opinion dont rely on a factory pre-calibration. I calibrated before first use and indeed it needed adjustments. I have recalibrated every 2 weeks or so, and while nothing has drifted too far, I have had to adjust a bit the low setting.

Also make note of which solution yours came with so you can buy the proper calibration fluid for EC/TDS. Some use 1500ppm solution, others use an EC rated solution.

you do not need to calibrate every 2 weeks...that is a waste of solution. I only calibrate when I start to see abnormalties in the reading's...most of the time I have to change the battery more often than calibrate.

the one bummer about buying a 4 in1 meter, is...If one goes done so do them all...goodluck, peace

So basically these packets are used to just tell you that your meter is in proper working order. Am I understanding you correctly? I guess I am a little confused as to why they have different amounts like 4.01 and 7.01 etc..

they calibrate your pen, so you get a correct reading, my tds meter came "calibrated" from factory, but it was off by 200ppm's so i had to calibrate it to it factory setting. You need to buy the correct solution for your pen, some are different then others. Its not so much make sure your pen works correctly, but that you get the most correct reading.

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Use both packeges just to be on the safe side, and you will have twice the asurance that your pen is accurate.
Adieu

__________________
"If what shone afar so grand,
Turn to nothing in thy hand,
On again; the virtue lies
In struggle, not the prize."--R. M. Milnes.
Hugh Miller said the only school in which he was properly taught
was "that world-wide school in which toil and hardship are the
severe but noble teachers."