Could this be the Trident announcement?

[Entz]

Rich am intersted in knowing if you really think its useful testing ca and mag 4 times a day.. I have seen you in many talks where you advocate for less tinkering and how testing industry have pushed users to tinker alot. I remember you referenced Triton icp once..
Am suprised you do not see it overkill to test mag and ca 4 times a day...
I see the value of alk testing 4 times a day but mag and ca??

This seems to be a side effect of how often alk is tested. At least according to the FAQ.

A Calcium/Magnesium test is required for every two Alkalinity tests to keep the Trident working under normal and tested operating conditions.

I still don't get why 2 tests (2/1/1) isn't an option if you not doing automated corrections, but I digress, it is their machine.

Times are indeed fixed for 4 tests. 00:00 - All 3, 06:00 - Alk, 12:00 All 3, 18:00 Alk

 

[DLHDesign]

...because there is always fluid in the lines, in order to get the stated precision, this is the minimum test frequency.

To add to this;
The testing agents have a shelf-life. It's not illogical to assume that the 4x/day testing schedule may have something to do with the need to consume the material within a certain amount of time, else it will fail to yield accurate results.
It may also have something to do with the calibration of the device. It was mentioned that calibration should only be done after the unit had "broken in", so it stands to reason that the system could "un-break-in" if left idle for too long.
There may be software reasons as well; alarms and such can be tricky to trigger against a fully variable setup, so limiting the number of setup variations simplifies the amount of programming (and testing, maintaining, etc.) involved in the product.

Those are just ideas that came to me; I've never had a unit and don't know if they are true or not.

 

[MnFish1]

They stated the times are fixed. I think they discussed it around the 46 min mark in the video.

Thanks - like I said - I for some unclear reason could not access the video last PM.

 

[MnFish1]

To add to this;
The testing agents have a shelf-life. It's not illogical to assume that the 4x/day testing schedule may have something to do with the need to consume the material within a certain amount of time, else it will fail to yield accurate results.
It may also have something to do with the calibration of the device. It was mentioned that calibration should only be done after the unit had "broken in", so it stands to reason that the system could "un-break-in" if left idle for too long.
There may be software reasons as well; alarms and such can be tricky to trigger against a fully variable setup, so limiting the number of setup variations simplifies the amount of programming (and testing, maintaining, etc.) involved in the product.

Those are just ideas that came to me; I've never had a unit and don't know if they are true or not.

They are actually true. At least most of them that I've heard.

 

[TTNuge]

FYI for those who haven't seen there is a new FAQ post that has links to all the videos and information on Neptune's website. Some good info there.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/trident-faq-official.595650/

 

[rkpetersen]

Beta tester here, so those of you who think we're all biased can disregard this post.

The device has to alternate alk-only testing and triple testing to maintain proper calibration.
Testing frequency and timing is something that could perhaps change with future AOS and firmware updates; we certainly talked about it in beta.

I am currently testing 6 times a day. Was as high as 12 times, but you really burn through reagents with that.
The data on how your alk can fluctuate during the day is fascinating and very useful for adjusting dosing and then seeing the effects of that adjustment.
I wouldn't even have known about the daily alk fluctuation in the first place without the Trident, because I wasn't testing more than once a day generally.

Since I put the Trident in control of dosing, my alk level has fluctuated by no more than 0.3 dKH per week.
Before Trident control, it was up to 0.6 dKH every day.
This is significant. However it's too early to say for sure what effect this will have on coral growth.

Calcium and magnesium are also ridiculously well dialed in now.

And for those complaining about having to keep the box - At least you get a retail box! Round 1 beta testers didn't.

 

[nyknicks2544]

You want it to test once a day here’s your solution:

Plug it into your EB8 and then only turn that port on for one of the testing periods.

Let us know if it works - have a feeling they want you testing more frequently for a reason and your precision will be off

 

[road_runner]

Beta tester here, so those of you who think we're all biased can disregard this post.

The device has to alternate alk-only testing and triple testing to maintain proper calibration.
Testing frequency and timing is something that could change with future AOS and firmware updates; we certainly talked about it in beta.

I am currently testing 6 times a day. Was as high as 12 times, but you really burn through reagents with that.
The data on how your alk can fluctuate during the day is fascinating and very useful for adjusting dosing and then seeing the effects of that adjustment.
I wouldn't even have know about the daily alk fluctuation in the first place without the Trident, because I wasn't testing more than once a day generally.

Since I put the Trident in control of dosing, my alk level has fluctuated by no more than 0.3 dKH per week.
Before Trident control, it was up to 0.6 dKH every day.
This is significant. However it's too early to say for sure what effect this will have on coral growth.

Calcium and magnesium are also ridiculously well dialed in now.

And for those complaining about having to keep the box - At least you got a retail box! Round 1 beta testers didn't.

Yup that's why testing ca and mag daily is way over kill.
Once you dial your alk you dose ca based on your alk and its rock solid.
I been using my khg for 2.5 years and by testing all daily my ca and mag early need to be tested because ca fluctuation match alk fluctuation.
Forcing user on testing mag and ca is a waste..on the consumer that is, its $$ on tester vendors..

 

[Thales]

Then how come you have not advocated khg in the past as an example?
Half price,stand alone, can test and dose at the same time?
You are not promoting Neptune only correct?

When I looked into it it seemed expensive, untested and produced far away from me. Seemed like I would be buying to beta test. That’s about all I remember about it. Reefbot seemed more useful but same issues. If they want to send me one I might be happy to run it at this point like some other stuff I can’t talk about.

 

[BZOFIQ]

... It was a bit of a bummer for me that you were tossing out my credibility, but whatevs.

I wasn't tossing your credibility at all Rich, I told you - I love your work. I just wanted to hear from the source as to why.

Is it the reagent going bad sitting in the line? Is it the sample water sitting in the line? Does a probe inside need to be kept wet by testing every 6 hours? Does the pixie dust evaporate?.....

I only ask for a reasonable explanation as to why there would be (in my opinion, and only mine) a limitation.

@Terance - Can you please answer?

 

[road_runner]

When I looked into it it seemed expensive, untested and produced far away from me. Seemed like I would be buying to beta test. That’s about all I remember about it. Reefbot seemed more useful but same issues. If they want to send me one I might be happy to run it at this point like some other stuff I can’t talk about.

Make sense. Well khg and ghl are older and been in the industry for long time now. They have known issues and known performance expectations.
I used and still using khg for 2.5 years and its awesome.
Glad to know you are not changing your views per vendors....cause I will be suprised if someone like you biased toward one or another..

 

[Mical]

I like the concept/idea but as a skeptic Neptune user I will NOT be one of the first using this device. I'm always skeptical of new releases and I refuse to be one of their "test dummies". I experienced the "Neptune Curse" when the ATK was first released and learned my lesson then. I'm not bashing Neptune by any means, their gear is awesome for monitoring and automating many of my tank(s) functions. But I'm going to sit on the fence for this one and wait for reviews a year or so down the road.

 

[Millimylilly]

What a shock 3:01 out of stock at BRS, I had put a notify me when in stock months ago and got this
When will it be available?
We hope to start stocking the new Neptune Trident shortly, however it may be a month or two before that happens.
Price: $599.95
What a let down.

Agreed.

 

[Thales]

Make sense. Well khg and ghl are older and been in the industry for long time now. They have known issues and known performance expectations.
I used and still using khg for 2.5 years and its awesome.
Glad to know you are not changing your views per vendors....cause I will be suprised if someone like you biased toward one or another..

Thanks. Interestingly, many vendors will not send me stuff because I won’t just say it is good. I totally understand. I have always wanted to do a “reef busters” organization but the time and money needed is huge, and the hate would be bigger.

 

[SeaDweller]

I think it’s cool for those that want this, nothing wrong with buying it and maintaining it.

...but it takes me under a minute to check alk 2x/day. I’m ok doing that...

 

[road_runner]

Thanks. Interestingly, many vendors will not send me stuff because I won’t just say it is good. I totally understand. I have always wanted to do a “reef busters” organization but the time and money needed is huge, and the hate would be bigger.

Ha ha ha. Respect Rich..respect.
Btw I follow you as much as I can catch your activities. Never leave the hobby my friend.

 

[SeaDweller]

I like the concept/idea but as a skeptic Neptune user I will NOT be one of the first using this device. I'm always skeptical of new releases and I refuse to be one of their "test dummies". I experienced the "Neptune Curse" when the ATK was first released and learned my lesson then. I'm not bashing Neptune by any means, their gear is awesome for monitoring and automating many of my tank(s) functions. But I'm going to sit on the fence for this one and wait for reviews a year or so down the road.

I have a bricked Apex that I recently got back from Neptune, and I won’t hook it up again. It can’t even calibrate ph automatically at the moment, so I gave up.

 

[Thales]

Ha ha ha. Respect Rich..respect.
Btw I follow you as much as I can catch your activities. Never leave the hobby my friend.

Thanks man. That means a lot.

 

[User1]

Sorry running around now - let me know if that is too short an answer!

@Thales - put the scissors down! I know you know not to run with scissors in your hands

 

[jt17]

it's not for everyone. But it is for me.