Did you know that you could measure the electrical conductivity of your substrate directly using a sensor?
The EC that is measured this way is called "bulk" EC, which is different than pore water EC or solution EC. Bulk EC readings, however, can be easily converted to both using mathematical models.
It is said that pore water EC gives a much better approximation of actual EC that plant roots are exposed to. Measuring rockwool bulk EC using a sensor is very easy.
You can use the HITA E0 sensor, ISHTAR Bluetooth sensor node, and SHUSHAN Mobile app to take EC, TDS and temperature readings.
Installing the HITA E0 sensor in rockwool is very easy. Take the following steps to install the sensor:
Pick a corner of the Rockwool and insert the sensor at a 90 degree angle.
Gently, push the sensor into the Rockwool until all of the green blade disappears.
To take EC, TDS and temperature readings, take the following steps:
Connect the sensor to the ISHTAR Bluetooth node.
Start the SHUSHAN Mobile app scan for available Bluetooth nodes.
Pick your Bluetooth node and connect.
Wait for the node to connect and sensor data to be available. This shouldn't take more than 15 seconds.