Although digital pH meters have never been cheaper or easier to use, many solutions for chemically testing the pH level of a hydroponic nutrient solution remain available. LaMotte’s 5074 Hydroculture Test Kit being one such example. Keeping in mind the importance of reliable and accurate pH measurements, we put LaMotte’s 5074 pH Hydroponic Test Kit to work to determine if it has a place in today’s world of hydroponic gardening.

LaMotte 5074 Hydroculture Test Kit

This particular kit includes a protective plastic case, black plastic comparator, two glass tubes including caps and 30ml of indicator in a dropper bottle. Keeping everything safe and organized is the job of the protective case. It’s made of a slightly flexible blue plastic that’s capable of protecting the contents from being unintentionally crushed. Inside the bottom half of the case is a foam block that accommodates all the contents providing further protection from falls onto hard surfaces and prevents vials and such from rattling loosely about while not in use. While the included glass sampling vials are fairly resistant they can and will break if dropped onto hard floors such as ceramic or concrete. However, one advantage glass has compared to plastic is that glass is more easily cleaned and isn’t prone to discoloring over long term use like plastic. Replacement vials are available if required, although given careful use they should prove unnecessary.

Kit includes plastic case, indicator, comparator and two glass vials with caps