Garden sensors guide
Measurement tools, Bluelab pH dosing, reservoir wavemakers and Govee remote monitoring.
Read text version
The meters and sensors we use to measure air, leaves, light and nutrient solution, plus our automatic pH control and Govee remote monitoring setup.
Sensors + garden tools
The tools we use to measure the environment, light, and nutrient solution.
Vaisala HM41
Air temperature + relative humidity. Let the meter acclimate to the room, then check conditions throughout the garden. Use it to verify thermostat and controller readings.
Fluke 62 Max
Leaf temperature. Measure leaf temperature with this infrared thermometer. Combine leaf temperature with air temperature and RH to calculate leaf VPD.
Apogee MQ-610
EPAR / PPFD. Measure light at the crop canopy and check distribution across the garden. The MQ-610 measures the extended 400–750 nm range, including far-red light.
Use the readings together
Air temperature + RH + leaf temperature inform VPD. Measure light separately at canopy level. Open the VPD calculator · Open the grow guides
Nutrient monitoring
Keep reservoir and runoff measurements consistent.
Bluelab Guardian
Reservoir + runoff pH and EC. Use the Guardian to monitor nutrient solution and check runoff. Its display shows pH, conductivity, and solution temperature. Keep probes clean and in nutrient solution during use.
American Marine Pinpoint
Replacement pH probe. The Pinpoint pH replacement probe is the probe we use with our Guardian monitors and Bluelab pH controllers. Our replacement interval is 6–12 months.
Probe care
- Clean regularly. Remove buildup so the probe can measure the solution properly.
- Calibrate pH monthly. Recalibrate the pH probe every 30 days and after cleaning.
Automatic pH control
How we dose pH automatically in the reservoir.
Bluelab pH Controller Wi-Fi
BCTPHC02. Measures reservoir pH and automatically doses pH adjuster toward the selected target. The built-in variable-speed pump delivers up to 120 mL per minute.
Choose the dosing direction
Configure the single pump for pH down (acid) or pH up (alkali). It does not dose both at the same time. Optional Wi-Fi connects to Edenic for remote readings, alerts and control.
Keep the pH probe in nutrient solution during use. Clean it regularly and recalibrate monthly.
RunClean + reservoir mixing
We use RunClean in place of pH Down through the doser, dosed to the target pH. We use wavemakers to keep the nutrient solution circulating. Allow each addition to mix throughout the reservoir before the next dose. Place the pH probe away from the dosing outlet.
FREESEA magnetic dual-head wavemaker
8 W / 1,600 GPH listed flow. Shop wavemaker · Shop RunClean · Bluelab setup guide
Govee remote monitoring
Temperature, humidity, leak alerts and remote control from your phone.
Govee H5179 Wi-Fi sensor
Temperature + humidity. We hang these throughout grow rooms and dry rooms. Shade grow-room sensors with a small piece of cardboard so light does not heat the sensor; leave room for air to move around it.
GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 1s
Early leak + flood alerts. Choose H5059 sensors with the H5044 Wi-Fi gateway for phone alerts. Place them where leaks collect. Adjust or mute the audible alarm to suit the garden, while keeping phone alerts enabled.
H5083 single plug + H5082 dual plug
Remote power for low-amperage equipment. A simple way to switch suitable equipment remotely. Match the device and its startup load to the plug's rating; two outlets do not double its total capacity.
How we set them up
Name each H5179 in the app and label the sensor to match. Compare them together in a covered 5-gallon bucket with our Vaisala for one hour, before placement and after every crop. Use the graphs to spot missing watering-time humidity spikes or unusual lights-on/lights-off temperature trends, then check the equipment. Even a sophisticated control system benefits from an inexpensive independent monitor.