With high roller and you on this. pH fo sho. As for reading your pH, are you able to calibrate this specific meter? If so, a 7.0pH calibration fluid can be used to put that bugger back in check. Two brands of this fluid are blue lab and Growtek (blue lab is expensive though. Go with a cheaper version).
If you can't calibrate this meter and/or don't trust it, I highly suggest a manual pH test kit. General hydroponics is a decently priced option and lasts for a long time. I actually do a test with my meter (calibrated) AND a manual test to prove the results I'm reading. If something's off with the meter, the manual test will tell you so and I'd personally take the manual reading over a fallible electronic anyday👍👍
Good luck and don't give up! I trust there is time to bring them all back to health (even the little guy). Cheers👍😉