Integrating a trident into my system
- Thread starter Joey Reef
- Start date
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Love mine- I've had two Tridents for around a year now. Just replace reagent monthly, and it tests Alkalinity 4 times a day and Ca/Mg 2 times per day.
Been really reliable, and it automatically adjusts my dosing to stabilize the parameters at the levels I want (8.8 all, 440 Ca, 1250 Mg).
Been really reliable, and it automatically adjusts my dosing to stabilize the parameters at the levels I want (8.8 all, 440 Ca, 1250 Mg).
I assume you have an apex already?
I recently got an Apex (about 6 months ago). I really like it - mostly for alarms, temperature and Ph monitoring and outlet control.
As far as the Trident, I also considered one, but decided against it for the following reasons:
- Expense: The unit is expensive, but ongoing costs are what really did it for me. You need to test at least four times a day (I think) and the reagents don't last very long. Also, you need to send it in for a $125 (I think ) maintenance once a year.
- Accuracy issues at times: I have heard here and elsewhere the the accuracy drifts quite a bit when the reagents are low due to the system tricking itself into thinking it has drawn more reagent than it thinks it has. People have been 3d printing and selling, or making on their own, mods to address this issue, but it sounds like a headache to me.
I really like the idea of automated testing in principle. It would be great to track test results over time and be able to coordinate them with things like water changes, dosing, and other factors and to start being much more data driven with my system, but I just don't think the Trident passes the Cost/benefit analysis for me. "Cost" in this case including not only the dollars, but also the maintenance of buying and replacing/discarding reagent, monkeying with the draw tubes to prevent the error above, and sending it in once a year. For me, observing my livestock and testing on occasion seems to be the better approach right now.
If I had a large system of several tanks with a shared sump, I may reconsider.
I recently got an Apex (about 6 months ago). I really like it - mostly for alarms, temperature and Ph monitoring and outlet control.
As far as the Trident, I also considered one, but decided against it for the following reasons:
- Expense: The unit is expensive, but ongoing costs are what really did it for me. You need to test at least four times a day (I think) and the reagents don't last very long. Also, you need to send it in for a $125 (I think ) maintenance once a year.
- Accuracy issues at times: I have heard here and elsewhere the the accuracy drifts quite a bit when the reagents are low due to the system tricking itself into thinking it has drawn more reagent than it thinks it has. People have been 3d printing and selling, or making on their own, mods to address this issue, but it sounds like a headache to me.
I really like the idea of automated testing in principle. It would be great to track test results over time and be able to coordinate them with things like water changes, dosing, and other factors and to start being much more data driven with my system, but I just don't think the Trident passes the Cost/benefit analysis for me. "Cost" in this case including not only the dollars, but also the maintenance of buying and replacing/discarding reagent, monkeying with the draw tubes to prevent the error above, and sending it in once a year. For me, observing my livestock and testing on occasion seems to be the better approach right now.
If I had a large system of several tanks with a shared sump, I may reconsider.
proxy001
Active Member
I have one. It's great to not have to test some of the things.
However... I dont really care having my Mg tested twice a day. It's be more useful if it was nitrate/phosphate.
I agree that testing Alk 4 times a day at a minimum is a bit overkill for most of us.
Now, it is very accurate (same value as ICP give or take), it is very convenient.
However... I dont really care having my Mg tested twice a day. It's be more useful if it was nitrate/phosphate.
I agree that testing Alk 4 times a day at a minimum is a bit overkill for most of us.
Now, it is very accurate (same value as ICP give or take), it is very convenient.
OP
OP
Joey Reef
Community Member
This is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you for your help.Love mine- I've had two Tridents for around a year now. Just replace reagent monthly, and it tests Alkalinity 4 times a day and Ca/Mg 2 times per day.
Been really reliable, and it automatically adjusts my dosing to stabilize the parameters at the levels I want (8.8 all, 440 Ca, 1250 Mg).
