I have been debating picking up a used neptune trident for consistent testing, but not automated dosing. I have read a large number of mixed reviews on brs and other site. For those with it, how do you like your trident? Any issues or nuances that if addresses make it much better? Is this something worth buying new instead of used?
Part one answer. Reviews are just that, reviews. How many are installed vs how many people take time out of their day to post positives vs those who take time out to post when frustrated. There is value to some degree but the onus is on the hobbyist to weed out the noise. It can be difficult at times.
The Trident is like similar devices in that hobbyist A can have great results and hobbyist C has an opposite one. Why is that we rarely find out. Experience, installation, environment, product, all factor in and sometimes we get root cause most times we don't when things are reported bad. Forum fighting and disagreements ensue when hobbyist C posts their experience and hobbyist A comes in to give theirs. Chaos...
I've owned one for a good while and have performed both self service and deposit cross ship. Self service was easy and most can do it if they have basic mechanical skills and time. The deposit cross ship works great if you don't and want a new machine. It includes one way shipping I think along with a box of reagents. The third option is cross ship and you get a used, refurbished unit back. I've not done this one but know a few who have and it is fine. They are refurbished.
One key take away regardless of automated solution chosen. Don't chase results or numbers across tools, platforms, or ICP. They are different, have margin of error differences, and who is to say they are correct. Trident is mother for me, source of record. I look at the data but mostly look for trends. I know what my salt mixes to as it relates to chemistry, I aim for Alk between 8 and 8.5, and I go from there. Similar for Ca and Mg. Works well for me.
Worth buying, new, used, that is up to you and your reefing budget. I purchased new and that is how I would go again. Worth it - that is up to the hobbyist. I find it useful and use the data for trending. I've also used it for assisted dosing when I was using ESV 2 part. It worked very well and has a fail safe feature that works.
Honesty in reefing - it is not needed and we had successful tanks before any automated testing. It is a quality of life improvement by taking away certain tasks.
Does anyone use any 3d printed addons to help keep it working well? Like reagent guides or even the smaller container from printed reef?
Part two answer. I'm not sure what you mean by 3d printed addons but one I know of are the reagent bottle guides. No, they are not needed and a waste of money. They originally got created when the Trident first came out as it was thought to help with Ca numbers drifting when the reagent was 50% full. It really does nothing.
3d pretty Trident shell I've not used but seen them. It isn't a display piece for me so not something I'd personally buy. I understand to some that equipment is also part of the art form or display setup so can respect that. I have no personal experience with it.
TL; DR - It has been out for a good while now and works for most of us. I don't have numbers either way so only share my experience. I'm happy but also know I've been a Neptune customer since 2001.
All the best.
