Bluelab Soil pH Pen Guida

Care and use guide

Contents page

Features 2

Quick guide 2

Before rst use begins 3

IMPORTANT - Soil pH Pen probe care 3

To operate 5

Information about measuring the

pH of soils/media 6

Measuring soil pH value 8

Measuring pH value of a soil solution 9

Cleaning 10

Battery replacement 10

Calibration 11

Error messages 11

Troubleshooting guide 12

Technical specications 12

Product guarantee 13

Bluelab cleaning kit 14

Contact details 14

a handy solution made easy

www.getbluelab.com

WEEE-Reg.-Nr. DE 33009570

English

Features

Direct pH measurement into soils/media Low battery warning

Backlit LCD display Fully waterproof

Hold reading function Auto off function

Fully guaranteed for 1 year Selectable units for °C and °F

Integrated storage cap/dibber Automatic Temperature

Compensation (ATC)

Successful pH calibration indicator

Power button / hold

Short press to turn on. Short press to hold and

unhold reading. Long press to turn off.

Calibrate button

See calibration section.

Units button

Press and hold until units ﬂash then short press to

change units. Screen will change back to main display

when no buttons have been pressed for 4 seconds.

Quick guide

Low battery warning

Appears when batteries are low.

Check mark/tick to

indicate successful

pH calibration

Disappears 30 days after

last successful calibration

as a reminder calibration

is due.

Storage cap/dibber

The probe must not be allowed to dry out. Always loosen

the storage cap/dibber by twisting the dibber before

removing or placing back onto probe tip after each use

and ensure it contains either Bluelab pH Probe Storage

Solution or tap water.

If it dries, it dies!

Keep your probe tip wet at all times to

avoid permanent damage.

FRAGILE Glassware

The pH probe contains a glass tube and a glass bulb.

DO NOT drop, knock or bend.

Refer to section 2.0 - Soil pH Pen probe care.

ATTENTION:

1.0 Before rst use begins

ATTENTION: Salt-crust forming on the pH probe is normal. A small amount of

KCl solution from the storage cap/dibber may leak out leaving a salt-crust.

This does not affect the probe and is normal.

The following tasks must be performed before the Bluelab Soil pH Pen is used for

the ﬁrst time.

Hydrate Soil pH Pen probe

IMPORTANT: Always loosen the cap before

removing or replacing the storage cap/dibber.

a) Loosen the Soil pH Pen storage cap/dibber by

gripping the top of the storage cap/dibber and

gently twisting the bottom of the dibber to loosen

slightly. Gently slide the storage cap/dibber off

the probe.

b) Soak the probe tip in Bluelab pH Storage

Solution or fresh tap water for 24 hours.

Soaking the probe tip for 24 hours will improve

the soil pH probe’s activity and is recommended

if the probe tip has been allowed to dry.

c) Ensure there is always liquid in the storage cap/

dibber. Place the loosened storage cap/dibber

over the pH probe until seated at pen base,

then tighten.

CAUTION: DO NOT hydrate or store the pH probe in

Reverse Osmosis (RO), de-ionized or distilled water.

When the Soil pH Pen is not in use, place a small

amount of Bluelab pH Probe Storage Solution or

fresh tap water into the storage cap/dibber.

Calibrate the Soil pH Pen before the ﬁrst use to

ensure accurate readings.

Go to section 9.0 for calibration steps.

Removing the Soil pH Pen

storage cap/dibber

Replacing the

Soil pH Pen storage cap/dibber

Hydrating the

Bluelab Soil pH Pen

twist

to loosen

fresh

water

remove

gently

English

twist

to tighten

2.0 IMPORTANT - Soil pH Pen probe care

To ensure you receive a long life from your Soil pH Pen, please ensure you follow

the guide below.

The Soil pH Pen probe is fragile

• DO NOT drop, knock or exert a sideways force on the probe.

• Avoid sudden temperature changes.

The soil pH probe does not last forever

• Probes do not last forever. They age through normal use and will eventually fail.

The lifetime of a probe depends on the environment it is used in and the way it

is treated.

• Always loosen the cap before removing or replacing the storage cap/dibber.

• This probe is suitable to use in temperatures between 0 - 50 °C / 32 - 122 °F only.

• Chemically aggressive, abrasive or oily samples will reduce the life of the probe.

Note: this section continues on next page...

2.0 IMPORTANT - Soil pH Pen probe care cont.

The Soil pH Pen probe requires cleaning at least once a

month and prior to calibrating

Cleaning the glassware is critical to obtaining accurate measurements.

Storing the Soil pH Pen

The probe tip must be kept wet - if it dries, it dies!

To prepare the probe for storage, place a small amount of Bluelab pH Probe Storage

Solution or tap water (never use RO, distilled or deionized water) into the storage cap/

dibber. Place the loosened cap over the probe tip and tighten (see section 1.0).

Long term storage

For long term storage, sit Soil pH Pen upright and ensure the storage cap/dibber

contains plenty of Bluelab pH Probe Storage Solution or tap water. Check each

month to ensure the liquid has not evaporated.

If the probe has been accidentally allowed to dry out:

The probe must be ‘hydrated’ for 24 hours in Bluelab pH Probe Storage Solution or

fresh clean water (never distilled, RO or deionized water). Following this, carry out a

calibration to check if the probe has already suffered permanent damage.

English

DO NOT let the probe tip dry. IF IT DRIES IT DIES!

DO NOT exert sideways force, drop or knock the pen. This will break its

external glass bulb or internal glass tube.

DO NOT touch the glass bulb with your ﬁngers as this will contaminate

the glass.

DO NOT plunge a cold probe into a hot liquid (or vice versa). Sudden

temperature changes can crack the glass and permanently damage the pen.

DO NOT immerse in oils, proteins or suspended solids that will leave a

coating on the glass bulb.

DO NOT remove or place the storage cap/dibber back onto the probe

without loosening the cap, as you could reduce the life of the probe.

Temperature

probe and internal

glass tube - fragile

Pen body

Glass bulb

fragile

Soil level

indicator

Storage cap/dibberSoil pH Pen body & probe

Dibber

Bluelab pH Probe

Storage Solution

or fresh water

Cap

Seal

3.0 To operate

Turn Soil pH Pen on

Press power button. The last measurement is recalled

for 3 seconds.

To turn Soil pH Pen off

Press and hold the power button until OFF is displayed.

NOTE: The Soil pH Pen will automatically turn off after

4 minutes to conserve battery power.

Measure pH

a) With the storage cap/dibber on the pen, press the

Soil pH Pen into the sample area until it reaches the

word ‘soil’ at the top of the dibber. Remove gently from

soil or substrate, leaving a small hole.

b) Remove storage cap/dibber (refer to section 1.1a for

instructions). Turn the Soil pH Pen on, then place pH

probe into the newly made hole in the soil or substrate.

Do not exert sideways pressure. Wait for the reading to

reach a constant value.

NOTE: Never make a hole in the soil or substrate with the

pH probe. Always use the storage cap/dibber.

To hold reading

If you want to “hold” the reading on the screen, short

press the power button. To exit the hold function, short

press the power button again.

To change temperature units

Hold down the units button for 3 seconds until the

temperature units start ﬂashing. Release. Short press

the units button again to cycle between °F and °C. To

exit this mode don’t press anything for 3 seconds.

NOTE: You can change units while in hold mode.

Rinse and place on the storage cap/dibber

To ensure accurate pH readings always rinse the probe

in clean fresh tap water before placing on the storage

cap/dibber. Ensure there is Bluelab pH Probe Storage

Solution or a little tap water in the storage cap/dibber.

Place on the storage cap/dibber, see section 1.1a.

English

1 second alternating displays

Power button

twist

to tighten

4.0 Information about measuring the pH of soils/media

pH is the measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration (H+) - acidity and its

opposite, alkalinity. Neutral pH is 7.0 pH. Acidity measures below seven pH (7.0 pH)

with alkalinity measuring above it (7.0 pH). See chart below.

In soils or growing media, pH strongly inﬂuences the availability of nutrients and

the presence of microorganisms in the soil.

Certain plants require a particular pH range to enable the required nutrients to be consistently

available to the plant. If the solution is too acidic or too alkaline it can cause “lock up” – a situation

which restricts certain elements essential for growth from being absorbed by the root structure.

This in turn reduces plant health and performance. Deﬁciencies in the required elements become

apparent in plant growth and can lead to crop failure.

Low soil pH causes aluminium and manganese toxicity in plants and reduces the availability

of soil phosphorus. High soil pH also reduces soil phosphorus availability and reduces micro

nutrients such as zinc and boron to plants.

The chart below shows how nutrient pH levels inﬂuence the uptake of certain elements.

English

4.0 Information about measuring the pH of soils/media cont.

Taking pH measurements of soils with an electronic meter is indicative rather

than absolute.

The following factors are outside the control of any soil pH meter, so to minimise

their effect on the accuracy of the pH measurement you should consider the

following precautions:

Moisture level/raw water

If the sample you are wishing to measure is dry, add RO water or distilled water to moisten. Ideally

wait 24 hours before you take a measurement.

NOTE: If you add tap water, you will inﬂuence the soil pH reading based on the pH of the tap water.

Calibration of the Soil pH Pen and cleanliness of the soil probe tip

Calibrating the Soil pH Pen at least monthly will ensure accurate readings. Cleaning the soil residue

from the probe tip and storing the Soil pH Pen in a clean moist state will provide reliable readings as

well as prolonging the pens life.

Sample selection

For ﬁeld testing, remove the top 5 - 10 cm / 2 - 4” of the top of the soil. Samples are taken

approximately 15 - 20 cm / 6 - 8” down into the substrate and from various areas, then an average

of the readings is used.

For container grown plants, it is recommended to check the pH level of the substrate prior to planting.

Factors affecting pH in the soil or media:

Soil type

Soils formed under high rainfall conditions (e.g. Eastern USA) are more acidic than those formed

under dry conditions (e.g. Western USA).

Growth stage of the plant

Uptake and requirements of particular elements change as the plant progresses through it’s

growing cycle. Recording pH level data to create a history is valuable.

Applications and types of fertilizers

Applications and types of fertilizers can alter the pH level signiﬁcantly. The time at which you

take the reading is important. Evaluate the brand of fertilizer to see if it is altering the pH in the

wrong direction.

Applications of sprays

As sprays can soak into the soil/media, a change to the pH level could result.

Soil/media temperature

High temperature soils may have a high concentration of CO2. The higher the concentration of

carbon dioxide pressure results in more carbonic acid which lowers pH.

pH range for soil crops

The recommended pH range for soil crops is 6.2 - 7.2, but this is plant speciﬁc.

English

5.0 Measuring soil pH value

Follow the steps below to take pH measurements of soil and media.

Remove the top layer of soil/media

from the surface of the sample area.

Insert the storage cap/dibber into

the sample up to the ‘soil’ indicator

as shown on the storage cap/

dibber, then remove.

TIP: The dibber creates a safe

pathway for the Soil Probe, reducing

the likelihood of probe breakage.

It should be used at all times.

Remove the storage cap/dibber

from the pen and turn the Soil pH

Pen on.

TIP: to keep the solution or tap

water in the storage cap/dibber

while taking measurements with

the Soil pH Pen, simply place the

storage cap/dibber upright into

the soil.

Insert the probe into the hole

made by the dibber, ensuring the

probe end makes gentle contact

with the soil.

Wait for the reading displayed

to stabilize to a constant value.

Record the reading.

TIP: If the Soil pH Pen turns off

while taking a measurement,

simply press the power button to

turn the Soil pH Pen back on and

continue with your measurement.

Remove the probe gently from the

soil/media and rinse the probe tip

under fresh running water

(not RO or distilled) to remove any

soil residue.

IMPORTANT: Always rinse the probe

tip in between each measurement

and shake to remove excess water.

For ﬁeld testing, repeat the

procedure in different locations

and take the average of the

measured data as the pH level is

representative of the sample area.

up to ‘soil’ on the

storage cap/dibber

Ensure you rinse the probe

tip between each use

English

6.0 Measuring the pH value of a soil solution

The greatest source of error in soil analysis comes during sample

collection. An effort should be made to ensure each sample properly

represents the area being sampled.

Collection of sample

Sample in a zig-zag pattern across the required area.

Take samples of soil at approximately 20 cm / 8” deep.

Mix all collected samples together thoroughly.

Ideally, allow to dry in the air or in an oven at 40 °C / 104 °F.

Weigh out 20 g / 0.7 oz of the collected soil into a 150 ml / 5 ﬂoz plastic sample jar.

Sample preparation

Add 100 ml / 3 ﬂoz of distilled or deionized water, screw lid on tightly.

Shake continuously for 5 minutes. Leave overnight and shake again the next morning.

Allow to settle for 15 minutes after shaking and strain sample into clean measuring cup.

Take pH readings as follows:

Remove the storage cap/dibber and insert the probe tip into the soil solution sample.

Turn the Soil pH Pen on.

Wait for the reading displayed to stabilize to a constant value. Record the reading.

If the Soil pH Pen turns off while taking a measurement, simply press the power

button to turn the Soil pH Pen back on and continue with your measurement.

Remove the probe from the soil solution and rinse the probe tip under fresh running

water (not RO or distilled) to remove soil residue.

Place the storage cap/dibber back onto the probe after use, ensuring it contains

Bluelab pH Probe Storage Solution or plenty of tap water.

“IF IT DRIES - IT DIES!”. See section 2.0 - Soil pH Probe Care.

7.0 Cleaning

To ensure accurate readings the probe tip needs to be kept clean at all times.

Cleaning prior to calibration is necessary for successful calibration.

Remove storage cap/dibber.

Rinse probe tip under fresh tap water.

Fill small plastic container with clean water.

Add a small amount of Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner or

mild detergent (dishwashing liquid).

Gently stir the probe tip in the mixture.

Ensure that you do not ‘knock’ the probe on the side of

the container as this may cause damage to the probe.

Rinse well under fresh running water to remove all

traces of the detergent mixture.

If the probe requires removal of heavy

contamination:

Gently brush around the glassware with a few drops

of Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner or mild detergent

(dishwashing liquid) and a soft toothbrush.

Rinse well under fresh running water to remove all

traces of the detergent mixture.

Calibration of the probe is required after every clean.

See the pH calibration in section 9.0. Place storage

cap/dibber back onto the probe tip.

English

8.0 Battery replacement

The pH pen is powered with 1 x AAA alkaline battery. Do not use rechargeable

batteries. A low battery warning is indicated by a battery symbol appearing on

the screen. Only remove the battery cap when the batteries require changing.

Battery life is expected to be approx. 350 hours.

To remove old battery

Undo battery cap fasteners. Remove battery cap and tip out the

old battery.

Fit new battery

Insert the new battery positive (+) end down into the body.

Ensure waterproof battery cap seal is clean, and free from

any debris.

Seal will fail if any dirt or debris is present.

Replace battery cap

Tighten fasteners on battery cap. Do not over tighten.

Ensure silicone seal on battery cap is fully enclosed in pen

body. This ensures the unit remains 100% waterproof.

Waterproof seal

Detergent

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