cheap way to determine the PPM
 

Short of spending a lot of money on a garden method I have never tried before, is there a quick or cheap way to determine the PPM or TDS of the nutrient solution? Fortunately I have an old pH meter that works so don't have to buy one of those. Thanks.....Jim jbrenan@ccis.com

Sorry there just isn't an easy way to test PPM like there is with pH like drops or litmus paper. The only way to keep track of you PPM without a meter is to try to keep track of how much concentrated nutrient solution you add to each gallon of water.
I would have to say that a PPM meter is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you should purchase when growing hydroponicly.