(Part 3) Best instruments & equipment for labs according to redditors

look up DSO138 on Amazon. Bare bones but it'll do the job and it's a whopping $25. If you fancy DIY and soldering you can get it as a kit for far cheaper. I have heard of people making module versions of it.

Hello, r/CannabisExtracts! Visitor from r/microgrowery here. I'm wondering if you experts can help me dial in my blasting technique. Here's what I did:

1. Grew a pound of weed.
   
2. Dried it.
   
3. Cured it in jars for two weeks.
   
4. Broke up 56g of mids into pea-sized pieces.
   
5. Stuffed weed into this Ablaze 90g closed column blast tube.
   
6. Put filled blast tube in the freezer for two hours along with 4 cans of 11x butane.
   
7. Evacuated my blast tube.
   
8. Filled my tube with butane and waited 5 minutes.
   
9. Blasted outdoors into a Pyrex dish using 4 cans of 11x butane.
   
10. Let the butane boil off outdoors for 90 minutes on a heating pad set at 120 degrees.
    
11. Scraped resulting goo onto Ablaze silicon mat.
    
12. Placed in this Ablaze vacuum chamber for 20 hours.
    
13. Peeled resulting goo from silicon mat to get 4.83g of this.
    
    How did I do? I haven't tried it yet, but it smells pretty strongly of chlorophyll. I'm afraid that this will be suitable for making edibles, but not so good for dabbing. Please give me your constructive criticism. Thanks, fam!

WA state medical patient with RA and wanting to do a real grow for almost a decade. Helped a few friends with their grows and trim sessions over the years and also attempted a few outdoor hidden grows with little success (bad weather, theft, pests/animals). Finally decided to save up and do it properly now that I have space indoors. I have been lurking /r/microgrowery for over a year now and have learned a lot and want to thank you all for everything you do. I also want to thank the YouTubers Growing With Mr.Tight, JustinTime2Grow, and medgrower1 for also being excellent resources. Now onto the details:

 

    Equipment

Gorilla Grow Tent 4x4

2x 600w MH / HPS lights for a total of 1200w. 75w per sq. ft.

400 CPM 6in In-Line Fan

Phresh Filter 400 CFM

Hygrometer

TDS Meter

Infrared Thermometer

Grow Room Glasses

 

    Plants

Blue Dream - DJ Short x Santa Cruz Haze. 80% Sativa / 20% Indica. 7-8 week flower cycle

Boy Scout Cookies - Girl Scout Cookies Thin Mint x Pre-98 Bubba Kush. 60% Indica / 40% Sativa. 8 week flower cycle.

Darth Vader Haze - 4-way Black Haze Black Cross. 100% Sativa. 9-10 week flower cycle.

Grand Daddy Purple - Big Bud x Purple Urkle. Indicia Dominant. 8-9 week flower cycle.

 

    Grow Medium and Feed

5 gal Smart Pots

Fox Farm Ocean Forest Soil

Fox Farm Trio

18-6 Lighting cycle for veg. full 1200w of MH.

Using tap water and PH Down (is around 8.0 right out of the tap). I let the water sit for at least a few hours to let any chemicals leech out into the air and bring it closer to room temp.

 

The GDP went in almost a full day later. It was a younger clone and I was worried about the transplanting shocking it, but turned out fine. One of my MH bulbs had bits of broken glass in the outer part and didn't work so I had to wait on a replacement arrived on day 6. Also I ordered the wrong size Phresh filter and am waiting for the refund to process so I can get the right size. Temps have been hovering around 80F ambient with the lights on and 40% RH.
Temp minimum during dark cycle is 68-70F and humidity maxed out around 85% RH.

First watering with nutrients will be as soon as the soil dries a bit more (still damp at knuckle deep). Will be doing a half strength of the Big Bloom for the first feed likely tomorrow morning an hour or so after the lights kick on.

I eventually want to get an 8x4 to use as a flower tent and have the 4x4 as a veg tent to set up a perpetual grow. I am also seriously looking at the GrowBlu lights for veg when I do this, the results I am seeing from the guys on YouTube using them just looks amazing. I also want to switch over to en Ebb and Flow type system instead of soil when I do that, but that is something I need to look into much more.

There's a lot of them on Amazon. I had the wonderful outstanding opportunity to use this specific one a month or so ago. I mean, color screens are cool. But all in all, it was a giant pain in the ass to use. It locked up a couple times and just has the 9V battery dangling off the bottom of it. Will it get the job done for our purposes? Absolutely.

Meanwhile this goes for 80 bucks and it's a large readout multimeter and scope all in one. No need to build it yourself. No need to tiptoe around it so you don't break it.

This is the one I got.

It's smells like Ms. Gardeners science class, but works just fine.

this doesn't seem that wide

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6PUX70/

fermwrap is my choice of heat. works great and keeps the whole chamber warm. I usually wrap it around the newest beer(along with the temp probe) and let the older beer ride!

did you get a kit?

i'm interested in some basic audio and control circuitry testing.

for the audio i really only need to be able to see if there's clipping or significant distortion compared to the output of a known well performing amp.

for the control it's even simpler, i just want to be able to monitor voltage being applied to some terminals in real-time, but my multimeter is insufficient to track 4 outputs with momentary voltage.

do you think these kits would be a better option than something like a cheap Hanatek scope?

https://www.amazon.com/Hantek-HT6022BE20Mhz-Digital-Oscilloscope-Bandwidth/dp/B009H4AYII/

How about:

• Anything from the Giant Microbes store
  
• Heart & Brain Body Language Comic ($15)
  
• The Awkward Yeti Bowels "Soon" Mug ($16)
  
• The Awkward Yeti Common Grounds Mug ($16)
  
• Or a beaker mug, of course ($14)
  
• Lab shot glasses ($12)
  
• These brain specimen coasters ($15)
  
• Something from Rachel Ignotofsky's Women In Science Series ($10-$20)

Providing you have access to a PC/Mac, the easiest way to learn is to hook a synth up to your PC and get some free oscillator software. For Windows there are a number of free applications, I personally use (and would recommend) Visual Analyser. For Mac and Linux I don't know of any, but I am sure they exist.

Most stand-alone units are overkill for audio waveforms (they're aimed at electronics engineers, who need tens if not hundreds of megahertz of frequency range), and they are often pretty big and heavy. Some exceptions are units like this one (which is basically an MP4-player with custom firmware). That said, nowhere will your waveforms look as good as on an old analog beast of a scope, preferably in a dark room (example).

I concur with your first week's findings. :-)

As for syringes... you might want to look into the SEOH Pipette pumps along with various sizes of pipettes for them. I absolutely love'em. So much easier to work with and also for the 1ml pipettes very smooth and accurate. Less hassle than syringes.

Also, I had no problem with the viscosity of VG with any size of the pipettes and the pump. Except that I had to push the top instead of using the pump release because VG just doesn't move as fast with just gravity doing its work.

A few links to check out...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00191BW4C/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00191BXTG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i04?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008J4BR1U/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

etc. They have various sizes pipettes for these things and also a pump size larger than the 2ml and 10ml ones.

I have four (six?) oscilloscopes and there's other stuff not shown in that pic. You really want an oscilloscope and I feel blind without one.

If you need a cheap one I found that a USB oscilloscope is adequate for lower speed work.

https://www.amazon.com/Hantek-HT6022BE20Mhz-Digital-Oscilloscope-Bandwidth/dp/B009H4AYII/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=usb+oscilloscope+hantek&qid=1567189174&s=gateway&sr=8-4

The only issue I had with this oscilloscope is that I had to force loading of an unsigned driver.

I would not recommend a cheap scope meter (they suck) and would not get a cheap handheld one like this as a primary scope (still kind of sucks but more useful):

https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Portable-Handheld-Digital-Oscilloscope/dp/B00HEZKY28/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1567189465&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4343061011&s=industrial&sr=1-1

It's pretty easy to find testing kits on Amazon, but from what I've seen those cost $25-$45 each and only tell you in an analog fashion that your sperm count is above or below 20 million.

My recommendation (the rest of this is just a repost of something I posted earlier this week--sorry to anyone that's seen this before):
If you're looking for a long term solution that requires some investment but could really ease your mind...

You could buy

-A Microscope

-Some slides

-And some pipettes

...and then check your sperm count once or twice a year. All that costs about $100, but it should last you decades. I won't have my vasectomy until a couple weeks from now, but I've purchased these items and looked at my sperm under the microscope in order to get a feel for it.

Count the sperm in the 400x field of view. Record the numbers on the analysis sheet, or multiply the number by .5 to see the total. The total number of sperm is counted in millions, so a result of 72 would mean approximately 72,000,000 sperm.

According to the World Health Organisation, a man needs a sperm count of at least 20 million sperm per millilitre of ejaculate to have a chance of conceiving a child without medical intervention.

Many homebrewers, including I, use this < $5 meter from Amazon Prime.

Testing pH of water is meaningless for your purposes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00191HNKY?pc_redir=1408509882&robot_redir=1

Here's a couple on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/SEOH-Dropping-Glass-Pipette-Pipet/dp/B0088AQPM6/ref=sr_1_2?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1450052353&sr=1-2&keywords=long+dropper

http://www.amazon.com/GLASS-DROPPING-PIPET-BULB-COLOR/dp/B00272O0BE/ref=sr_1_7?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1450052353&sr=1-7&keywords=long+dropper

http://www.amazon.com/GLASS-DROPPING-PIPET-BULB-COLOR/dp/B00272CSYK/ref=sr_1_8?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1450052353&sr=1-8&keywords=long+dropper

For the mold: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LU4YFK6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

For the toy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CA5VY3U

For the vacuum pump: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071KZXVRR

Other supplies you'll need: vinyl gloves, cardboard and hot glue gun to make the mold box, paint mixing sticks, graduated measuring cups, disposable coffee cups, silicone or mica pigments, release agent (smooth on universal release agent), and a whatever you want as a model

Edit: if you have any other questions feel free to pm me

Ahhh now I understand...

This is where a TDS meter is needed to check the PPM. An example: http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Tester-Quality-Purity-Filter/dp/B007VK4YY0/ref=sr_1_2?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1417057910&sr=1-2&keywords=ppm+meter

The ppm depends on the nutrients you use. I have used a few different brands. Most of the ones I have used recommended the ppm to be around 1100. Keeping it at the recommend ppm will ensure you are not under/over feeding your plants. The ppm can vary somewhat but rarely do I have to adjust between water changes. So much depends on the quality of your water. I used to buy reverse osmosis water and my results were very good. I am thinking of getting my own unit just for growing purposes.

Even before I got my meter I followed the directions on the nutrient bottles. I still got good results. Not knowing if they were getting the proper amount of nutrients is why I bought a meter. It's a labor of love and I wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting time and money.

Just a little side note. I cannot tell you which nutrient brand is best. I like to experiment with different ones. But I can tell you that going organic was quite difficult for me. I had to adjust almost everything daily.

I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009OOZEY, you don't need anything fancy.

I haven't personally tried Solarez, but I've heard from other cuemakers who have tried it that it was "just ok".

I have tried several epoxy finish techniques in the past and I've struggled to get it to really bond well with bare woods. I had better luck basecoating the bare wood with superglue, then finishing with epoxy over it.

The most annoying thing with epoxy finishes is they seem to bubble and separate from the underlying wood a lot easier than auto clear. I've had the best luck with automotive clear which I spray on with an airbrush. I found a good kit on amazon that comes with a compressor and a decent airbrush. I've used this kit for about three years now and it's been great:

Master Airbrush

I buy my auto clear in the smallest cans possible. The clear I use is two part. Four parts of clear mixed with one part activator. I use cheap plastic drinking cups as mixing containers and I bought a bulk pack of pipettes to mix up the small amounts of clear you use for cue finishing.

Disposable Pipettes

Make sure your plastic mixing cups are recycle code 1 or 2 (polyethelene) which is resistant to solvents. Recycle code 5 and 6 (polyprop or polystyrene) melt immediately when exposed to solvents. I buy the cheap clear party cups at the store and they work fine.

I thin the clearcoat quite a lot with lacquer thinner, especially for the first coat so the clear soaks deep into the surface and gets a good grip to build subsequent coats onto.

If you do try the Solarez, let me know how you like it. I've been paying attention to other makers impressions of it but most go back to their prior method after trying it on a few cues.

[TDS-3] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VTQM70/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_6_w)

I'm pretty happy with this scope:

http://www.amazon.com/Siglent-SDS1052DL-TFT-LCD-Bench-Top-Oscilloscope/dp/B00GQNN70A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419176995&sr=8-2&keywords=siglent+oscilloscope

It's only 50 MHz and two channels but that is a huge improvement over
no scope.

I'm religious about instrument choices when the company's picking up the tab, but I can't afford to be a snob with my own money.

Here are my step by step instructions for building your own heat wrap for fermentation vessel warming. (Can also be used for reptile cage warming.)

All steps detailed here: https://imgur.com/a/nhjgf

Buying the parts and assembling them yourself is much cheaper then buying the available commercial versions -- like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Brewing-FE650-FermWrap-Heater/dp/B00ODSS3LI -- as they are the same (or similar) parts assembled, at a much higher price. In addition to the savings, you can also build the wraps to your exact required size specifications.

Don't get me wrong... FermWrap is a great product (I own 2), and if you don't want to take the time to build your own, it's a fine choice, but only comes in 11" x 24". Putting these together is really simple, so why not get the parts and make your own to the exact size you want?!

FermWrap uses Flexwatt reptile cage heating tape made in the US by Calorique. After some research, I've found that there are several imitators out there, mostly made in China or Korea, and I've found many scary anecdotes involving melting and potentially dangerous issues with their products. The Calorique heat tape is a superior product, made in the US in Massachusetts.

FlexWatt (http://www.calorique.com/reptile-heat-2/reptile-heat-tape/) comes in 3", 4", 6", 11", and 17" wide strips, usually sold by the foot, but cuttable every 1/2 inch or so.

I was able to buy the parts to build five 6" wide pads for about $12 each with shipping, and I think the 11" wide ones would have only been $13 each, if I recall.

I use the 6" strips on my 1/2gal, my 1gal, and my 2.5gal jars, as well as my 1gal carboy. I use the 11" version on my 5gal brew vessel, as well as my 3gal carboy.

I have them connected to automatic thermostats with temperature probes, so that they keep my vessels between the desired temperature range. I use Inkbird C206 10 amp controllers https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Temperature-Controller-50-108-F-Function/dp/B01NB8LQA8/ and so far I've been very happy with their performance.

I keep all my currently brewing 1F and 2F vessels (not bottles) wrapped, because my house is usually around 68-73 degrees, and I like my brewing to be around 76-80 or 78-82 degrees fahrenheit.

The above album details all of the building steps, but feel free to ask any questions.

I'd replace the Turkey baster with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Eisco-Borosilicate-Serological-research-Pipette/dp/B014I2TO0W/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=25ml+pipette&qid=1572634277&sprefix=25ml+&sr=8-6

And either

https://www.amazon.com/Karter-Scientific-PIPETTE-PUMP-25ml/dp/B00191HNKY/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=25ml+pipette&qid=1572634277&sprefix=25ml+&sr=8-5

Or

https://www.amazon.com/OESS-Pipette-Filler-Valves-Rubber/dp/B07XNWSFVZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?keywords=pipette+with+filler&qid=1572634387&sr=8-14

Don't remember how much mine was, but this looks like a pretty good one. https://www.amazon.com/iSonic%C2%AE-Digital-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-D3800A/dp/B0009OOZEY

For pouring I use a stainless steel funnel. But depending on the bottle size, I might also use a 25Ml serological pipette with hand pump.

Downside to the pump & pipette combo, you need steady hands as it's just over 20 inches long, can be a little unwieldy.

For temp control, you want something like This to control your heating/cooling, and a Carboy Wrap to heat your FV up.

If you get a thermowell you can put the temp probe down in your fermentation vessel, rather than just taping it to the side - you'll get more accurate readings. Downside is you can't set up a proper 1" blowoff hose, and counter-intuitively the first few days of fermentation (When you really need a blowoff hose) are the most critical to temp control (Based on what I've read in other threads here)... Might work well if you get a 6.5 gallon carboy, and do 5 gallon batches in it, so you've got extra head space for all the krausen. You can also use some standard size siphon hose as a blowoff, it's just more prone to clogging than 1" hose.

Glad I could inspire you! So here are the deets
The age of the helmet probably won't affect it. Just make sure it's sanded down (I used 200 grit) and primed well. I did 2(?) light coats of primer I got at Lowes. For materials I used Humbrol Enamel Paints that I bought here. I strongly recommend you get the 50ml paints... you're going to screw up a bunch. Also get high gloss, and don't get metallic paints, they don't swirl well. I didn't use a dip film like you would see at a shop, I did the swirl myself. This Youtube Walkthrough was my bible, though I did watch multiple other videos. There a few that are done on guitar bodies that are helpful, but ignore the ones that use spray paint. I used plastic pipettes here for application onto the water.
For the water, I used a 15 gallon container that was sitting in my basement. 13 gallons of water in it lined with a trash bag for cleanup, and then I brought the last gallon to a near boil and added 20 Mule Team Borax at 1.5 tablespoon/gallon, though i was very generous with the measurement. Dump that into water that is at 78º F which you can get to by using a fish tank heater and mix. I used an electronic meat thermometer to confirm temp, because the heater I bought was a piece of garbage and wasn't close (learned this the hard way).

For swirling, follow the youtube tips. Drip drip drip one color then drip drip drip another. Repeat. I used a nail for the swirling.

For dipping I used a long clamp I had for another project and dipped chin to top. I started at about a 60º angle, going down AND back and forth as I went. Since the top of the helmet is so large, I turned it to like a 20º angle when I got there, continuing the lateral movement. Once it's dipped, use your gloved hand to push the remaining floating paint to the side and pull the helmet out and rest it somewhere from the inside. I screwed a 2x4 piece to a small piece of plywood and made a stand.

Anything else you wanna know? I'm happy to help.

Edit: Don't get discouraged when it WONT FUCKING WORK YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT! Just wipe it up with a paper towel, skim it with a colander, and start again. You'll know when it's right, you're gonna feel it.

This was from DL:

You guys convinced me to home brew. Especially after I just did some math on what my latest $2k purchase would get me.

Putting together the list, will be refining as I learn more.

• [Autoclave](http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Classic-Electric-Autoclave- Sterilizer/dp/B002AR0NUI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E5AJ7PQ2CHM1083QMPT) -- $899
  
• 2 x Autoclave Gasket -- $120
  
• Hormone powder
  
• Filtered Cottonseed USP Oil 4 Liter -- $255
  
• Benzyl Benzoate USP 1 Liter -- $60.75
  
• Benzyl Alcohol USP 1 Liter -- $45
  
• 3ml TERUMO Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (Qty. 50) -- $8
  
• 1 x 10ml EXEL Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (Qty. 50) -- $15.25
  
• 5 x B-D 25g x 1.5' (Qty. 10) -- $11
  
• 5 x B-D Needles 18g 1.5 (Qty 10) -- $11
  
• Alcohol prep pads/wipes
  
• Accurate scale to hundredths place
  
• Calibration weight
  
• 2 x Corning Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Graduated Low Form Griffin Beaker Set, 50ml, 100ml, 250ml -- $29.90
  
• 4 x PYREX Griffin Low Form 400mL Beaker Graduated Ea -- $34
  
• 4 x Beaker - PYREX GLASS 10ml -- $22.72
  
• 2 x SEOH Class A Volumetric Flask Borosilicate Glass 250ML -- $29.90
  
• 2 x Beaker Filters -- 150ml Nalgene MF75 Bottle Top Filter - 33mm neck (Qty. 12) -- $145
  
• Vacuum Pump -- 1.5 CFM Portable -- $275
  
• Melting Point Checker
  
• Sterile .20um syringe filter (For Tren) -- $162.88
  
• Crimper
  
• Vials
  
• Caps
  
• Glass stir rod
  
• Agar plates
  
• Latex gloves
  
• Alconox Detergent Cleaning Concentrate 4 lb. Container -- $30.30
  
• Scilogex 86143101 Model MS-H280-Pro BlueSpin LED Circular-Top Digital Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer with Ceramic Coated Plate, 100/240V -- $200
  
• 2 x Bel-Art Scienceware 371100138 PTFE Octagon Spinbar Magnetic Stirrer Bar, with Integral Pivot Ring, White, 1" Length, 3/8" Diameter -- $13
  
• 3 x jugs isopropyl alcohol
  
• Propolyene Gylcol 300
  
• Lockable Medical Storage Box -- $44.50
  
• Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood 48" x 24" -- $1,900
  
  
  Which Bottle Top Filter?
  ---------------------------------
  
• Millipore Hydrophilic PVDF Stericup-GV Bottletop Filter Unit, Radio-Sterilized, 0.22µm Pore Size -- $225
  
  Or
  
  
• 2 x Beaker Filters -- 150ml Nalgene MF75 Bottle Top Filter - 33mm neck (Qty. 12) -- $145
  
  
  Which Pipettor?
  ---------------------------------
  
• VWR Ergonomic High-Performance Pipettor -- $267.02
  
  or
  
  
• BRAND seripettor* pro Bottletop Dispenser - 1-10 mL -- #296.30
  
  Money is not an object. I'm not the type to do things cheaply or in a half-assed way. Lets set up the dream home brew lab now. I'll post pictures.
  
  What to buy?
  
  

It sure is. I have three stir bar types; two 1" and one 2". Funny thing is one of the short ones works and the other doesn't. The one with the band in the middle is the one you want BTW.

A quick Amazon search found these and I bet you could find some fake blood on there too, else it is very easy to make with red food dye, corn starch, and water

If it's mostly for personal use and you might upgrade in the future to something bigger like a full oven vac ($1000-$3000+). Then it might be worth considering something cheaper
https://www.amazon.com/ABLAZE-Gallon-Stainless-Degassing-Chamber/dp/B071KZXVRR/

Could then save for a bigger system and still get at least a few good runs out of something cheaper. BVV are overpriced in my opinion

Invest in one of these, it looks like it'll save you money in the long run.

Oscilloscope

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DY95IYC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

18 time cycles...I use the 30 min, hot water from the tap and the UC action keeps the water at about 135 degrees

I put my beaker on a stir plate mix it up real good the set the beaker in the UC and run 4 cycles of the 30 min.

bottle it, shake the crap out of it sit it down uncapped until all the bubbles are gone, repeat that 2-3 time and sit on a shelf for a couple of days.

> ultrasonic cleaner

http://www.amazon.com/BlackHillsGoldSource-890-Professional-Ultrasonic-Cleaner/dp/B00DY95IYC/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_2_1

> i thought my tap water was too acidic because ppm very low

PH and PPM don't really have anything to do with each other.

> so have no idea how adding baking soda helped since using very tiny nutrients.

Avoid using Baking Soda in hydro. It's loaded with sodium which will lead to calcium lock out and nute deficiencies.

For PH up and down, I went to a local feed store over a decade ago and bought 5lb tubs of dry, powdered food grade Potassium Bicarbonate (PH Up) and Phosphoric Acid (PH Down) for under $10/ea. I've still got half the tub of PH down and have barely used the PH Up (pretty much only when I screw up and add way too much PH Down).

For testing, the only reason I'd recommend a meter for a small home garden is if you're color blind. I've used these for well over a decade. Under $4 for 160 tests (or use both ends of a strip and get ~320) and they're plenty accurate enough for basic cannabis growing. For more accurate testing, you can use shorter range litmus paper, such as this but I've never found it necessary.

Oh, if you don't already have and eye dropper or something similar handy, get some pipettes to pull water from your buckets to drip in the test strips. Don't dip the strips in your res, that's a contamination risk.

Doesn't get much cheaper than these: http://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Pocket-Sized-Handheld-Digital-Oscilloscope/dp/B00DRUWPM6

My clean environment is simply a glass top table that I wipe down with 10% bleach and 70% ethanol with a little tiki torch burner and I've had great success with minimal contams (2 out of 40 plates). I'm starting LC using a $7 pipettor with a $10 reusable glass serological pipet for transferring between LC and grain jars. I'll also use an inoculating loop to transfer between spore print to agar or agar culture to LC. It's just some methods I'm adopting from things I've learned in microbiology lab courses so I can avoid using disposable syringes.

amazon

Here is the mobile version of your link

This one. But I can't justify the cost right now. The other one I was considering is this unheated one. It's a lot cheaper, but I have a feeling that I would regret it when I buy the other one anyway. And with high VG mixes, I'm not sure if the stir bar can mix it cold well enough (or if it's that effective to continuously stir when cold).

I'm still very green in all of this, hence my reluctance to plunk down cash on something like this at the moment. Right now I use a Thermos filled with hot water and I shake that every 30 minutes or so.

EDIT: I literally feel like this guy right now!

I received a microscope from RAOA that I would love to continue to use! However, I need more slides for samples (on my Scientific list).

I'm not a crafty turtle... I'm a ninja turtle!

Here it is, it's all you'll ever need mine is going strong like 6 months later

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DY95IYC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470000647&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=black+hills+ultrasonic+cleaner&dpPl=1&dpID=419hbzbl2mL&ref=plSrch

Sure. As has been typical for everything I've built for brewing, I went through several iterations starting with an idea very cool and complex, but ending with something super simple. In the end all I have is a 9V charger with the end cut off and connected to a pc fan, with magnets glued on it, inside a cigar box. The combination of voltage and fan speed works out just right. I tried setting up a pulse width modulation circuit, then just a potentiometer and none of it worked as well as the final simple setup. Which is quite embarrassing with my EE degree.

Anyway, I do have a few pieces of advice. Glue the magnets onto a washer or piece of something first, spaced out to match your stir bar, then glue that whole thing to the top of the fan. Otherwise, the magnets want to move on the fan and are hard to glue down. Get more magnets than you think you'll need. I used this stirbar and these magnets. I bought the cigar box from a cigar store for $2. Everything else I had sitting around.


Search DIY stir plate on google and you can find tons of how-to's.

This is the slides I have been using. Could these be causing the issue?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OS6D9I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
About the product
This is a package of pre-cleaned 72 piece microscope blank slides and 100 piece 22mmx22mm square cover slips
Glass Blank Slides: 1" x 3" x 0.04" (25.4x76.2x1mm)
Glass Cover Slips: 7/8 x 7/8 x 0.006" (18x18x0.13mm)
Material: optical glass
Finished with ground edge

These are the models I went with, they've been working flawlessly so far:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YBUH4RC
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VK4YY0

Definitely worth every penny, even if they do end up breaking sooner.

You're golden. Half the battle is exposure. You'll start to get annoyed at that billboard, I bet.

Since I dont get enough benzos from my dr., I can't blame her- I have to use diclazepam, which is legal in the states, (Colorado). It acts very similarly to diazepam and has a long half life. I'm going to buy these items to titrate with efficiency due to the differing nature of the potencies:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KI25R26/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A37SSOMGWCKVU1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00191BW4C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A29JIFH4ZXPNL8&psc=1


It's much easier going through your doctor, but there's a stigma in the states so I am personally avoiding the doctor route unless I absolutely have to and going by the ashton manual and I'm very confident I'll be ok. It might take time for me- but for you, I bet it'd just be a couple of months tops. It sucks you live in a country that glamorizes alcohol. I mean, we do the same thing here, actually. It's just such a shitty drug compared to others. Get used to drinking water or non-alcohol drinks- it's really no big deal and if anyone gives you shit you can tell them to fuck off, it's not their life. Or tell them you're supporting your wife! :)

Upgrade the firmware, you'll find simple instruction online. Very cheap, small, and light.

Signstek Upgrade Portable Mini Nano ARM DSO211 Pocket-sized Handheld Digital Storage Oscilloscope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DRUWPM6/ref=cm_sw_r_taa_UqmJyb29ZDF2R

You'd be better off with something like these:

• SEOH Serological Pipettes - 25 x 1ml
  
• SEOH Pipette Pump - 2ml
  
  

This one is considerably cheaper. Think it would work as well?

I have access to one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Siglent-SDS1052DL-TFT-LCD-Bench-Top-Oscilloscope/dp/B00GQNN70A#

But, I have no idea how to use it in this application. I've only used it a few times to make sure the 16MHz crystal on the board is actually outputting 16MHz. Is there a document or a video somewhere that would explain how to use it for this? Is this scope even fast enough?

Hey I feel ya on this. I have a small aggressive tank with three gobys and one female beta. What I do is a distraction technique. Drop a good amount onto the opposite side of the tank from the shy fish, and while the aggressive female is chowing down, I'll use a long pipette to feed the shy fish! Doesn't always work, and sometimes I end up bopping her on the nose. It doesn't hurt her, but it does indicate to her that she's being an asshole.


Here's a similar style of pipette that I use
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088AQPM6/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_BQOvxbZK3JXJK

Just like the other 2 redditors, I recommend you refill the cartridges: is not hard and you will have a higher ink capacity! I do not use a syringe, I use one eyedropper like this that was a gift from Birmingham pens.
200PCS 3ml Disposable Plastic Transfer Pipettes, Moveland Calibrated Dropper Suitable for Essential Oils & Science Laboratory https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07F3ZN56V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AJpuDbXMPRRH9

You can get an OK Tektronix portable for about $400. It's not fancy, no color, but it works and gets the job done for most people who are looking for a cheap scope such as this device. People who need the better scope are not going to consider a bluetooth adapter for their phone.

Color one on Amazon for $550

Generic Brand for $279

I had the black and white version of the color Tektronix and spent $399, but it was also 100MHz not 50. But I don't see it on Amazon, and this was 6 years ago.

Other options

USB Scope, 40MHz, with cheap probes - $99

Cheap generic 72MHz scope - $170

Generic Handheld, 25MHz - $225

Cheapest generic Standalone 25MHz - $249

The point is, for a 12MHz scope, and 2 probes, and uses your tablet / phone, $179 doesn't buy you much. There are other options out there that would be a better choice.

Scientific glassware re-purposed for all kinds of uses is fun. Very geeky and popular starting points for you to explore:

https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Frontier-Glass-Erlenmeyer-Mug/dp/B004QDNORI

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DN1EQFC?psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-Chemistry-101-Flask-Book/dp/B00AZBPGSK/ref=pd_sim_79_14?ie=UTF8&dpID=41RKV2%2BaaRL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=7XSQB8CM6NN03075DXDH

https://www.amazon.com/Chemists-Spice-Rack-Piece-Chemistry/dp/B00OC4S6D8/ref=pd_sim_79_8?ie=UTF8&dpID=51XYyNJbNaL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=7XSQB8CM6NN03075DXDH

https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Glasses-00195-ThinkGeek-Laboratory/dp/B00DT3W3G4/ref=pd_sim_79_5/175-8468732-6603828?ie=UTF8&dpID=51D036oa1PL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=C0T8FTDQWS0Y4WZEJH87

https://www.amazon.com/Innovating-Science-Periodic-Table-Pen/dp/B005H7LJME/ref=pd_bxgy_79_3/175-8468732-6603828?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C0T8FTDQWS0Y4WZEJH87

https://www.amazon.com/Thinkgeek-Radioactive-Elements-Glowing-Coaster/dp/B00JV8UIN6/ref=pd_sim_79_9?ie=UTF8&dpID=417aER8krxL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=C0T8FTDQWS0Y4WZEJH87

https://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-CU104-Beaker-Tea-Infuser/dp/B00IEV7C26/ref=pd_sim_79_12?ie=UTF8&dpID=41cplAUypAL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR93%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=C0T8FTDQWS0Y4WZEJH87

You can pick one up, from a reputable brand, on Amazon for $22.

Ok, will try again - i am knocking things out with a pipette (similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Teenitor-Disposable-Pipettes-Transfer-Essential/dp/B071JXVGNK ) but it keeps coming back somehow :(

Yes clean around wound. The flap has to go. It’s going to bleed when it’s clipped but that’s good cause you’re getting healthy tissue with blood vessels. Self-Adhesive Cohesive Wrap Bandage Tape by LotFancy, Elastic Non-Woven, FDA Approved, 10 Rolls, Assorted Colors (2Inches x 5Yards) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6C91ZS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qNCLBbBSFG2VC
Remedy and Recovery Professional Groomer's Styptic Powder for Pets, 1.5-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PJ55KC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xOCLBbAKS8A0G
Stash Tea Original Honey Sticks 20-3 oz Sticks Individually Sealed Portable Honey Tubes 100% Pure Clover Honey Kosher Certified Individually Wrapped Sticks of Pure Clover Honey, Sweeten Tea or Coffee https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4PY1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gPCLBb9TNCZHV
Dealmed Gauze Pads, Non-Sterile, Non Woven, 2" x 2", 4 Ply, 200/Bx https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63XDS7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kQCLBbVN65JRZ
Manna Pro Theracyn Poultry Wound and Skin Care Spray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5XHK88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_IXCLBb28EDCFH
Silver Nitrate Solution, 0.1M, 100mL - The Curated Chemical Collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0787GCSKG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_E0CLBb42XWGRC
SE CS100-6 100 Count 6" Cotton Swabs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002V0ZY2Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G1CLBbQDJ3WQT
10 - Black Twist Open/Close 2oz Refillable Artist's Bullet Bottles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N59CU9J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.2CLBb6123ZF2
Swan Isopropyl Alcohol, 99 percent, Pint, 16 OZ (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZCCYTWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G4CLBb3V54WRP
Dynarex D1415 Povidone Iodine Prep Solution USP, 16 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005R8580M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G5CLBbMTA0YK8
Squip Nasaline Salt-box Of 50 Pre-measured Packets, 400 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009EXQLM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_y7CLBbW76XN59
Teenitor 3ml Pipette, Top Quality Disposable Pipettes Transfer Pipettes 3ml Eye Dropper for Essential Oil Pipette Makeup Tool 110pcs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JXVGNK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Y8CLBbG25KBC5
Save A Caf Sav A Chick Electrolyte Vitamin Supplement 3 PACK/.25OUNCE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UQOZC4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_19CLBb3BFM046
Gorilla 7500101 Super Glue Brush & Nozzle, 10 g, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7AVQKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SgDLBbTME6VWX
MedPride Nitrile Exam Gloves, Powder-Free, Small, Box/100 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GS8W2HC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fiDLBb1X2K42G
Panasonic ES246AC Bikini Shaper & Trimmer for Women with Compact, Portable Design and Adjustable Trim Settings, Battery Operated https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005JS5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sjDLBbY10CSTW

Think that covers basics. Alcohol, self adhesive wrap, salt for saline, styptic powder, gauze, theracyn (antibiotic for superficial injuries), silver nitrate (only use with wooden applicators- strong cauterizing agent), pipette, electrolyte ( 1/16 tsp to 8 oz water. If chick is ill add honey for quick energy then mix solution with food to make mash), bottles, betadine ( I cut to 50% strength with saline), and gorilla glue with brush and dispenser. Oh and gloves and shaver:)

Think i could get one and put it in my car? Stepdown converter to a 9v from a 12v i find somewhere and put it somewhere visible? My car doesn't have a readable volume meter so there's no way to see if I'm clipping. I was thinking this preassembled one would be nice because I'm useless at soldering

https://www.amazon.com/Longruner-DSO138-Digital-Oscilloscope-Assembled/dp/B06XZ1VXRV/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1536098600&sr=8-5&keywords=diy+oscilloscope&dpID=51L6Ian6HkL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch#customerReviews

I used to have an under-sink charcoal filter system (basically like a brita, but it comes out of a faucet) that cost around $50-90 to replace every 6 months to 1 year...one time I was looking on amazon to replace my filter and I discovered that an RO filter system was not that expensive...

For $190 (around the cost of 2-3 replacement charcoal filters) I got an RO system that makes very tasty water...much better than the charcoal filter... and I haven't had to replace any of the filters in the system yet after about 3.5 years.

I'm using a TDS tester, still getting around 10 ppm...comparable to most bottled water that I've tested (my normal tap water is about 180 ppm).

Also, the replacement filters are much cheaper than the charcoal system.

These shot glasses are pretty cool, and they can be used for mini vases as well! :D

there's two kits under 50 bucks (amazon Canada) that seem okay,

this one doesn't have a case if you're into that. but it's pretty decently reviewed

this has a case but apparently there's issues with the enclosure

this one is already built so I might lean towards this but it's more pricey

Get a 5 stage RO/DI unit from BulkReefSupply (BRS) (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-reverse-osmosis-filters-systems/reverse-osmosis-systems.html). You can integrated it directly into your water line under the sink OR you can use the attachments to run it from the faucet, just screw it in and go. There are three lines, red, black, blue. The red is the water input, black is "waste" water that just goes down the drain or you can use it to water plants, and the blue line is the purified water. Get the auto shutoff switch/valve/floater thing (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reverse-osmosis-float-valve.html). Get a 20gallon or 30gallon rubbermade container, drill a hole in it, install the float/auto shutoff and connect the blue line. Turn it on and forget about it for a full day because that's how long it takes to make that amount of water. Double check the shutoff valve works first by holding it in the off position and making sure that the unit shuts off and doesn't explode.

Second, you can use RO/DI water for freshwater tanks you just need to use a buffer, here is a good article about that: http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=65

BRS has a great video on how to setup the RO/DI unit you just bought, they are < $150 and work perfectly. Get a cheap TDS meter, these (http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Tester-Quality-Purity-Filter/dp/B007VK4YY0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1419568328&sr=8-7&keywords=tds+meter) work great but make sure you order it right away because they ship from hongkong, so you can check the PPM (parts per million) in your water, if it starts to go above zero you need to change out parts of your ro/di unit, could be the membrane or carbon.

edit: lastly, you can drink this water just fine.. BRS even sells a tank to hold pressurized water and a dispenser. it bypasses the "DI" phase http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-add-on-faucet-kit.html

edit 2: i am not affiliated with BulkReefSupply, i just really rely on them for the best info on the net and best products, plus good prices.

I can recommend this one. Two channels for ~$80. I have the 4-channel version and it works great.

Ah ok thanks. Could I use this to see the waveforms? https://www.amazon.com/Longruner-DSO138-Digital-Oscilloscope-Assembled/dp/B06XZ1VXRV/ref=sr_1_3?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1502441536&sr=1-3&keywords=oscilloscope

If you wanted to get even more serious...

http://smile.amazon.com/SEOH-PIPETTE-PUMP-2ml-Blue/dp/B00191BW4C/

http://smile.amazon.com/SEOH-Mohr-Pipets-Class-2ml/dp/B00191LR4C/

I picked this one up about 6 months ago.
https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Stir-Plate-by-SocalHomeBrew/dp/B008F0CTBA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1519916566&sr=8-9&keywords=stir+plate
Works great. I would be curious to know if the "get what you pay for" reviews are from user error and not product quality. I routinely make 4l starters with this and I never have to go above half speed to get a good whirlpool. Its all about matching speed with the correct size stir bar. A larger bar in a larger volume at a slower speed seems to work better than a small bar at high speed.

This is what I bought, although it did go up $6 in price since I got it last year.

iSonic Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner Model D3800A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009OOZEY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rDF4DbZA20T49

1. Totally tea(Main) for this one! Or actually, wait, an umbrella(Main) is probably more fitting for England. XD
   
   
2. Oh god, I couldn't imagine walking around like Harley Quinn!(Hobbies)
   
   
3. Most phallic... hm... this giraffe(Home) looks pretty phallic to me. XD
   
   
4. Oh I got this one totally covered! Beaker shotglasses!!!!!(Other)
   
   
5. I really want to learn how to sew so a sewing machine(Expensive) and a dressmaking(Main) book are where I'm going to start.
   
   
6. This magical shady umbrella(Expensive) thingy will keep you from burning up!