EC/TDS & pH Testing is extremely important for successful hydroponic gardening. The pH of a solution controls the availability of nutrients the plant is able to uptake. If the nutrients are present but the pH is incorrect, the plant will not be able to absorb the nutrients and will be deficient. Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measurement of dissolved solids in water. These dissolved solids conduct electricity. EC is measured in milli-siemens per centimeter (MS/CM). Total dissolved solids (TDS) is also a measurement of the dissolved solids in the nutrient solution, but is measured in parts per million (PPM). Both EC and TDS are measurements of the strength of the nutrient solution.
