I have a cheap ppm/ec meter and it seems to be working ok. My filtered tap water is 100 ppm and I add 300 ppm of nutrients for my autoflowers when in veg for a total of 400 ppm. I do this every 3rd water and its organic 4 1 1 fish emulsion. When my plants are in heavy flower I gave them 700 ppm total one time of organic-based bloom 9 16 16. They liked it but I also have slight tip burn. Next time I will adjust it down to 600 ppm in flower and see what happens. I am growing in coco. Hope this helps.