My first grow was with supersoil and water that I did NOT ph. It was my grow to set a baseline and could not have been easier. I still use the soil blend but feed heavy with NFTG nutrients that require ph adjustment. I have been feeding daily for the last two years so I only check ph once or twice a week and am usually within .2 of my target. I use the Apera PH60S PH pen. It has been very accurate so far. I only recalibrate every few months.