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Crew 3-in-1 Water Meter - Light pH and Moisture Soil Meter - GREEN

$12.90 NZD

The Crew 3-in-1 Water Meter combines a soil moisture meter, pH and light meter all in one (although most people get it just for the water setting). I nicknamed it the Cheat Meter because it's just that. I'm not talking exact science here though (specialist, far-more-accurate meters can get very costly, think $100+), so think of this super-affordable tool more as a peace-of-mind back-up for your own common sense, and for checking where you can't reach (like the moisture level down at root level). 

Also available in Black > and new White > or Mint > 


How accurate are 3-in-1 water meters?


I've given these a good go on my jungle and despite the super affordable price, they do actually work. Sure, they're not super accurate (check my review below on results), but are still a good guide, especially to check moisture levels down where it really matters to avoid causing root rot. Great for peace of mind to help you avoid over-watering.


No batteries required


The meter itself is like a battery without water. The 2 probes are 2 different types of metal. When you add an electrolyte (the moisture in the soil), it works like a very weak battery, but with enough 'voltage' for the sensor to read. The less water in the soil the less voltage goes through the meter (so you'd get a reading on the moist to dry side). Pop it in and wait 5 minutes for the moisture reading.

How to use (and my review)


To check soil moisture
(hydrometer mode) 


Push the switch far left to the MOIST setting. Push the sensors deep enough in the pot to reach the bottom of the plant's root level. Wait a few minutes and the needle will indicate the moisture level. 


What the results mean:
 There are 3 zones: 1 to 3 is the red zone (dry), 4 to 7 is the green zone (moist), and 8 to 10 is the blue zone (wet). Water according to your plants preferences. Getting multiple readings is normal as water won't be evenly distributed, so take a couple of readings. 


My tests in real life:
 This is the most helpful setting and the main reason I use this tool. I tested a range of plants, a few I'd recently watered, and it's pretty accurate providing you know how these work. I know they look so simple, but there are still simple things to do (and not do) to get the best readings. I pay attention to the zone on the dial (dry, moist, wet) rather than the exact number. Keep in mind these work on indoor and outdoor plants in a range of soils (more about substrates below), so unless you've got an indoor plant growing in the same high water-holding soil you would use outdoors, you should worry if you get a 'wet' reading on an indoor plants.

I've had it happen lots of times where plants I thought were dry, and would have watered, turned out were still wet down at root level, because these probes go down deeper into the pot than I can possibly test with my finger. I find these super handy if you're not 100% sure and worried about over-watering. I did find the probes need to go down at least 10 to 12cms or more for better readings (the length of the probes is 17.5cms), so if you mainly have plants in small pots, get the shorter Soil Sensor instead.

 

As a light meter


Move the switch to the middle setting above the word LIGHT. There's a small light sensor panel at the front of the meter. Face that towards the light source in the same spot you plan to put your plant. 


Results
: 0 is Dark. From 200 to 1000 indicates low to medium light. 1,000 to 2,000 is the medium to bright zone (direct sunlight registers over 2,000).


My tests in real life:
The gauge has a range 0 to 2,000 lux but I found that what I'd call medium light areas still register in the dark zone because this meter is made for both indoor and outdoor use, so allow a bit of leeway with this setting and use it more as a guide for indoors. Indoor readings will always be on the low to medium range even in bright indirect light. Direct sunlight will be read at the other end of the dial.  

 

As a pH meter


Move to switch to the setting on the right, by the letters PH. Put the sensors quite deep in the soil. Wait a minute or two for the result to show on the pH gauge.


Results
: A reading greater than 7 is alkaline, and below 7 is acidic.


My tests in real life:
 Most of my plants tested the same, between 6 and 7.5, which is the ideal range for indoor plants. Again, I use this primarily for the moisture meter setting, so wasn't expecting amazing accuracy from this or the light settings. Somewhat accurate, and good to alert you if your soil swings too far acidic or alkaline, which can turn nutrients toxic, but there's a reason pH meters cost far more than this meter.  


Want to know more? Here's how a water meter works plus some trouble-shooting do's and don'ts >


Important: The substrate type matters


It may seem obvious after you read how an analog water meter works but the answer is yes, the substrate type matters, because the probes need to measure the water content IN the substrate. All good for the  majority of your standard outdoor and indoor potting mixes, from fine to medium grades, but when you get into very chunky mixes, like larger grade bark-based potting mix, the probes can't break their way INTO the chunks of bark, so will give you a dry reading (because the probes are measuring the air, not the substrate). 


Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
75%
(3)
25%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Jessica
Very handy tool

This is so handy to be able to quickly test your plants have everything they need to grow into healthy, happy plants.
Anna is also extremely helpful sending you info on how to use this correctly that is a must read to get the correct readings from this device.
Thanks again for amazing service

K
Keely
Brilliant water meter

This is a absolute gem for my garden, as now I can check and wait until needs watering easily. And it's affordable too!
Light and pH function is also lovely to have for some plants too.
It is sturdy and durably made. Very happy to have this to help me not over water my garden.

S
Sue Collier

My purchase of two water meters were a great price and arrived quicker than expected. One of them was slightly damaged but still works fine. Overall , great.

Hi Sue, glad to hear you're happy with the price and functionality, but sorry to hear one arrived slightly damaged. Please pop me an email (hello@lovethatleaf.co.nz) and I'll get that replaced for you. Thank you for letting me know - Anna @lovethatleaf

C
Christine Jessop
Water meters

My plants are already looking better as I now water when it’s required.
Thank you

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More about shipping and delivery > 

 

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"I can’t recommend love that leaf highly enough. I’ve bought a couple of times so far and on both occasions Anna has been more helpful than I could possibly wish for. 5 stars! Don’t hesitate to order from Love That Leaf. Excellent service and super fast delivery." Rob Gordon

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