Experience with ABC reagent with Trident

[Gtinnel]

I just switched from Trident to ABC reagents last night. My Ca dropped 102 points. Any idea what would cause this?

Did it change as soon as you changed reagents? Did you calibrate the trident after changing the reagents?

 

[firefighterj80]

Did it change as soon as you changed reagents? Did you calibrate the trident after changing the reagents?

It changed the first test after replacing all reagents. I did not calibrate since it didn't say to and they don't apply any calibration solution

 

[Gtinnel]

I believe on the website they recommend calibrating with your tank water that you tested with manual test kits, which is how I do it.

 

[trmiv]

I switched to ABC Reagents about a month ago. Everything was working well for about two weeks with only a slight drift from the Neptune reagent numbers. Over the last week, I've been getting a lot of "Test A Fails" and one "Test B Fail" that I had not seen before.
To be fair, my Trident is going on 3 years old and has not had the Neptune Systems Recommended Service yet.
Not sure if my Trident just needs servicing, or if its the reagents causing the fails.

I get very frequent “test a failed” on ABC reagents as well. My unit it about 2 years old. If I switch back to the regular Neptune reagents the test fails go away immediately.

 

[eraser2001]

I get very frequent “test a failed” on ABC reagents as well. My unit it about 2 years old. If I switch back to the regular Neptune reagents the test fails go away immediately.

I have the same issue with ABC reagents. When I used them, I got test A failed, but if I put an apex reagent I don't have this issue

 

[trmiv]

I have another brand new 6 months set of ABC I got not long ago that I’m about to swap in. Will be interesting to see if I get the same test a fails with this batch. Frustrating because it burns through the A like crazy.

 

[Gtinnel]

I’ve never had any issues with test a failures while using abc reagents.

 

[sublime275]

I’ve never had any issues with test a failures while using abc reagents.

Same here.

 

[slythy]

I have been using ABC reagents for about a year now no issue. My LFS has large batches made and the. Just refills my bottles for me. I havent had a problem. I just test my tank 3 times (alk, cal, mag) and average the results then calibrate my water to my salifert numbers.

 

[Lance Thebodeau]

I’ve seen only one or two posts discussing ABC Reagent as an alternative reagent for the Trident, but it’s not discussed much and I haven’t seen a review.

I'm considering switching but I’m concerned of the results, if the trident doesn’t accurately test then it’s meaningless, and any money I save is worthless in comparison.

anyone have any experience with it and want to share their results?

I’d also be curious to know what it is, is someone just copying the Neptune reagent?

Thanks!

I have been using the bulk pack for a few months now and have noticed less drift in my tests. On my 3rd round and only recalibrated once so far. Manual tests show I'm within roughly a 10% window after 2 months without recalibration

 

[Pvtgloss]

I've been using ABC for probably over a year now. I love it. I've emailed Jonas a few times. He told me the reagents don't expire and when my trident gets low just top off with more reagents. I've been doing this and I have never had a problem. Every once In a while I'll manually test too check on the trident. If the trident is ever veering off its always a dirty cuvette or I need to flush the sample line. After that just calibrate to my Hannah and Salifert results and I'm good to go.

 

[Tcook]

I have used both for several years and both eork the same. The unit does drift. The problem is the calibration reagent. It is complete garbage. Alk is often 3 dKh off from multiple salifert testing. I throw this out immediately. Calibrate to tank water with salifert. IMO the trident will never be accurate with alkalinity but is consistently 1.4 dkh off. It also drifts quite a bit when “A” reagent is near empty. Mine just recorded a alk of 7.4 and salfert tested at 10.4. This is also on a newly refurbished Trident. My suggestion is calibrate to tank water using salifert. Replace reagents before empty.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've been using ABC for probably over a year now. I love it. I've emailed Jonas a few times. He told me the reagents don't expire and when my trident gets low just top off with more reagents. I've been doing this and I have never had a problem. Every once In a while I'll manually test too check on the trident. If the trident is ever veering off its always a dirty cuvette or I need to flush the sample line. After that just calibrate to my Hannah and Salifert results and I'm good to go.

The claim that the reagents do not expire is ridiculous. No organic materials last forever. I do not support this company since they tried to scam reefers here by schilling their own products, but on that specific point, he simply refused to answer how reagents like these could last forever. Just lip service that he formulated them better than the OEM.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-alkalinity-and-calcium-magnesium-reagents.694871/page-4#post-10146588

 

[areefer01]

I have used both for several years and both eork the same. The unit does drift. The problem is the calibration reagent. It is complete garbage. Alk is often 3 dKh off from multiple salifert testing. I throw this out immediately. Calibrate to tank water with salifert. IMO the trident will never be accurate with alkalinity but is consistently 1.4 dkh off. It also drifts quite a bit when “A” reagent is near empty. Mine just recorded a alk of 7.4 and salfert tested at 10.4. This is also on a newly refurbished Trident. My suggestion is calibrate to tank water using salifert. Replace reagents before empty.

I would recommend adding "in your opinion" as it relates to the calibration solution. Obviously one can calibrate to other test kits results but now you are accepting those to be accurate.

My personal preference, and opinion, is to use the included calibration solution. I know Jim (Trident creator) has performed manual checks on the calibration solution as this comes up from time to time. I've had good results using Neptune reagents and the included calibration solution. My last ATI ICP and Trident results from 7/23/2024. I pull the ICP water sample from the sump 5 minutes before the Tridents scheduled combined test.

Pretty happy:

 

[jayteerq]

I have used it and can’t tell a difference. As far as I can tell it is exactly the same thing. Just make sure to keep some extra trident reagent bottles, because it doesn’t come in a bottle that fits into the trident.

Hi! Sorry to dig up an old post. But can I directly pour the abc reagent into the trident bottles or should I rinse out the bottle to clear the Neptune reagent before dumping in abc? I assume they’re the same but not sure if it’s ok to cross mix between different brands?

 

[Gtinnel]

Hi! Sorry to dig up an old post. But can I directly pour the abc reagent into the trident bottles or should I rinse out the bottle to clear the Neptune reagent before dumping in abc? I assume they’re the same but not sure if it’s ok to cross mix between different brands?

Ive never mixed them although I’d guess it probably wouldn't matter. I actually don’t even mix my abc reagents. I pour the abc reagent from the bottle into a clean and empty trident bottle then I replace the bottles in the trident when they get low and dump the little bit left over out and rinse the bottle.

I may start saving the little bit of leftover reagent and try using it once I get a full bottles worth.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I’ve seen only one or two posts discussing ABC Reagent as an alternative reagent for the Trident, but it’s not discussed much and I haven’t seen a review.

I'm considering switching but I’m concerned of the results, if the trident doesn’t accurately test then it’s meaningless, and any money I save is worthless in comparison.

anyone have any experience with it and want to share their results?

I’d also be curious to know what it is, is someone just copying the Neptune reagent?

Thanks!

I’ve had no issues. I calibrate every 2 weeks or if I switch between brands.

 

[Doctorgori]

no issues with ABC here either,
…derivative and related: I wish they would launch regents for Trident NP as the OEM product is a pricey “2 month” supply and readings for me have been all over the place

 

[areefer01]

Hi! Sorry to dig up an old post. But can I directly pour the abc reagent into the trident bottles or should I rinse out the bottle to clear the Neptune reagent before dumping in abc? I assume they’re the same but not sure if it’s ok to cross mix between different brands?

Rinse them then let them dry. You do not want to mix reagents.

• They are different brands
• Different dye lot numbers

Some will debate or have a difference of opinion but honestly rinsing them out in such a short task why not. I have not used ABC reagents but OEM ones I don't even mix. Different lot numbers which could mean different dye colors. Yes it will be the same in theory but sort of like buying tile or similar flooring. Buy enough for the job to prevent the risk of a slight variation.

 

[areefer01]

no issues with ABC here either,
…derivative and related: I wish they would launch regents for Trident NP as the OEM product is a pricey “2 month” supply and readings for me have been all over the place

NP 2 month kit is similar to what we saw with the original Trident. Once Neptune works through units in use, testing frequency, and their reagents they more than likely will release the 6 month sets. Those didn't exist at launch only after they had some time to assess the hobbyist use. Time will tell.

Hope your day is well.