tds meter

[ozone]

Hello, I am looking at getting a tds meter off ebay and the one I was going to get says factory calibrated. It has two metal electrodes which are different to my ph meter. It is cheap but was wondering if tds meters need calibrated as some of these online places will sell crap and spin you a line so you buy it and then you can never get calibration solution.I don't have the money for an expensive one though and I was going to buy a cheap ph meter too as my current one is playing up and may need to be sent back. I did a search and lot's of people were recommending the hanna 3 in 1 which is out of the ball park for my finances. :)

[Orange Crush]

I use this and love it http://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-TDS-4-Dissolved-Solids/dp/B0002T6L5M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351253077&sr=8-2&keywords=tds+meter (only $21). I got the solution and found that my meter was off (around 30-40 ppm if I remeber correctly; which is a lot considering my water has a TDS reading of 21 ppm). Not much point in testing unless you know it is accurate.

[ozone]

Yeah I also saw that one on ebay. It looks a bit fancier than the one I was looking at. The main thing I need to know if factory calibrated is O.K as there is no calibrate button on the unit I was looking at. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DIGITAL-TDS-WATER-QUALITY-PURITY-TESTER-METER-drinking-water-filters-aquarium-/320881608287?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item4ab608c65f#ht_2275wt_668.

[pastry]

ozone, not sure which one you're looking at but i listened exactly to what OC said (when i was looking into a tds meter) and she was spot on. the one she mentioned is cheap and easy + the manufacturer has a calibration solution (i didn't get the calibration solution; the manufacturer claims that the meter is calibrated "as is" but probably after about 50 uses then you'd need to calibrate).

[Brent1972]

I use the HM one & its very reliable I also have the calibrating solution & test every month. Never had to adjust it yet & its a year old . As for cheap PH pen don't waste your money , Use a API test .

[aalbina]

I use the HM one & its very reliable I also have the calibrating solution & test every month. Never had to adjust it yet & its a year old . As for cheap PH pen don't waste your money , Use a API test .

+1 I also use the HM.

Adam

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Be vary careful buying low cost TDS meters on ebay. That site is flooded with counterfit HM Digital meters. If the meter is a lot cheaper than you've seen it elsewhere, there a reason for that! We are a Master Distributor for HM Digital.

Make sure the one you are looking at has automatic temperature compensation.

Coming precalibrated is to be expected. HM Digital TDS meters typically come precalibrated using 342 ppm fluid.

Russ

[ozone]

Does that mean you can sell me one Russ? :) with the calibration fluid??

[Buckeye Field Supply]

:)

[ozone]

Anyway thanks guys! so the calibration fluid is for down the road!They aint like ph testers needing to be calibrated all the time!

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Right

[ozone]

Thankyou, I did a search on your company. You have a very good google presence. Hope business is going well :)