• Does anyone else use this EC pen from Apera, EC20? If so, how are you converting to PPM since it doesn’t specifically display PPM? I’m finding a ton of mixed answers on how to convert the readings.

      PacNW-Dan
      10 Comments
      • PacNW-Dan (edited)

        There are two scales used: multiply by 500 or by 700 (depending on where in the world you are, US typically uses 1EC = 500ppm). So EC 1.2 = 600ppm on that scale (840ppm on the 700 scale). Because of the two different scales, generally you should avoid thinking in PPMs and just use EC.

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        • Why do you want to convert it? Reminds me of trying to convert C to F temps constantly in my head living in Canada. Really I just need to understand C….lol I relate more to PPM than EC also though

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          • @Dude That’s a good question. I guess any time I look at some feed chart or someone is explaining things, it’s always using PPM as the measurement. Rarely do I see EC. I don’t really follow any feed charts I use them more for references. But that meter doesn’t read as PPM so I want to know how to convert what I’m getting to what my references are. I’m still learning to read my plants and figuring out the nutrients I wanna use and I’ve not grown the same strain twice. It’s like starting new but with a little more knowledge than the last time lol.

          • PPM/TDS meters have a US or UK scale. US scale is 500 while UK scale is 700. Those scales are programed in to PPM/TDS meters based on EC. 50 ppm is 0.1 EC on US scale. 0.2 EC = 100 ppm, 1 EC = 500 ppm. 2 EC = 1000 ppm.

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            • I knew about the 500 or 700 scale but this is the first time I’ve heard that it had to do with where on the planet you lived. This answers some other questions as well. Thank you

              • I use that same one for PH. I just have a simple cheap PPM/EC pen I use for the other.

                • @variant Yeah, I got the pH20 and I liked it and decided to get the EC20 as well.

                  • @SlamFM By the way I have found using and changing the storage solution fairly often really reducing how frequently I have to calibrate it.

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                    • @variant Yeah, I try to calibrate as often as I can. I’ve always got something going so I use them almost on a daily basis. Mine seem to hold their accuracy pretty well. I know what my nutrient mixes should come out to and I’ve not had any weird readings. I’ve had them for almost a year. I’d recommend the EC20 whenever you got $40 to blow. I’d like to get the one with the changeable probes.

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                • Ppm are the same mesure everywhere, it seems to be that EC is different, as if minerals have a different level of conductivity in europe and america, haha thats funny shiet.

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