Your plants need more than just sunlight, good soil, and water for healthy growth. If you want to make sure your plants grow well, you need to keep a check on a few other things. These include total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and parts per million (PPM).  So how do you measure these quantities? Well, Groindoor.com has the answer to each of your growing needs. We offer the best variety of grow room and testing equipment that you might need for your garden. Whether you need a TDS meter, an EC meter, a PPM meter, or a combination, we’ve got everything. 

Now, let’s briefly discuss each of this equipment.  

TDS Meter and Its Use

TDS refers to total dissolved solids. The most frequently occurring dissolved solids you will find in your water include Magnesium, Calcium and Sodium. A TDS meter is used to determine the hardness or softness of water. The reading you get on your TDS meter will tell you whether you need to purchase a water conditioner or softener. 

How does TDS differ from PPM?

Growers may get confused between  PPM and TDS, and wonder about the   distinction between these two readings.  

However, the fact of the matter is that these two quantities are not even comparable. TDS is a measurable quantity, while PPM is a unit in which TDS is displayed. So, next time you measure TDS, you should know that it will give you a reading in PPM!

What is a decent TDS level? 

For a hydroponic system, a range of 500-1000 PPM for TDS is considered normal. A reading higher or lower than this may not be ideal for your plant.  

Best TDS meter 

If you want to figure out which TDS meter would be best for your specific needs, you can reach out to our growing experts for consultation. Groindoor.com offers the best brands on the market, including , Sure Test, Hanna Instruments, and Bluelab.

Let’s talk about EC meters now!

What does an EC meter do ?

The purpose of an EC meter is to measure the electrical conductivity of your nutrient solution. Growers can use it along with a pH meter to determine the right nutrient dosing for their plants.  

Confusing as it sounds, with the EC counter, you can find out how many  TDS are present in a nutrient solution. This is particularly significant when you are transitioning  between different plant stages.

The Ideal EC Range for Hydroponic Systems  

As indicated above, the EC will change from one step to another, but during the vegetative stage, the EC must be between 1.2 to 1.6. When the plant begins to bloom, it can reach to 1.8-2. 

Some growers seem confused about the contrast between CD and TDS. They both measure the same thing but display it differently.  You don't need to worry about a TDS and EC meter, just make sure you are using any one of them!  

What does a PPM meter do? 

PPM refers to parts per million. A PPM meter measures the quantities of nutrients in a solution, informing you about the ratio of water and nutrients in your plant feed. This information allows you to determine if you are feeding your plant well and helps you avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.  

One good thing about PPM meters is that sometimes they can also measure pH. This is useful for cutting down on equipment and supplies that you need for your plants.  

 PPM highlights the concentration of nutrients and the connection between water and nutrients, showing whether you are going over or under the required nutrient limit. 

PPM for Hydroponics

As with plants grown in soil, the PPM requirements in a hydroponics system are different for each plant growth cycle stage. Here are the ideal ranges for each growth stage: 

1.Clones and seedlings: 100-250 PPM 

2.1st half of veg: 300-400 PPM 

3.2nd half of veg: 450-700 PPM 

4.Flower stage: 950 PPM in the beginning and up to 1,600 PPM towards the end.  

Let Groindoor.com make growing easier for you! 

You can find all you need to grow your plants best at Groindoor.com. Apart from the equipment discussed above, we also have combination meters that allow you to measure various aspects of your nutrient solution all at once PPM, pH, temperature, and more.  

Our equipment can enable you to automate your entire growing process, making everything super easy for you. If you want a free consultation about growing equipment or knowledge about the different aspects of growing, you can read our blog or call our experts at 866-GRO-INDR.