New to Reefing: Considering TRITON Method

[Adam Gilbert]

I am new to reefing and working on my first saltwater aquarium. I was lucky enough to find a 90gal (48Wx18Dx25T) reef ready tank with stand for $175. Since I saved so much on the tank/stand combo, I thought I'd get better equipment so that I wouldn't have to upgrade as quickly... In doing research, I discovered the TRITON method which I would really like to incorporate right off the start. Since I am new to this hobby, I am hoping that more experienced reefers can share their input and provide any pointers that might aid in my success.

Here's what I've selected thus far (none of which has been purchased yet):
Sump: Trigger Systems Triton34
Refugium Lighting: Can't decide. With TRITON, the entire system seems to be dependant on the refugium. Some forums/sites say T5, while others say full spectrum LED. Recommendations here would be greatly appreciated!
Skimmer: Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS 6"
Heater: Finnex HMX-S 300W
Dosing Pump: GHL Doser 2.1 SA 4 Pump
Return Pump: Eheim CompactON 5000 (1320 GPH, which is just under 11x tank/sump volume per hour)
Display Lighting: 2x Kessil A360W/E (Would a single AP700 be better and not result in shadow in covering 48"W?)
Powerhead: EcoTech MP40WQD (do I need more than one? If so, could/should I go with less power?)

Coral: I am looking to keep mostly LPS with some/minimal SPS
Fish: clowns, tangs, damsels, anthias, dragonet, angelfish (?), snowflake eel, and my wife wants a cowfish...

Am I forgetting key equipment for running the TRITON method? Will the equipment I've selected work well, or do I need to modify? I'm a novice to reefing so if I'm forgetting key information, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GoVols]

Adam,
First off:
Welcome to reef 2 reef, and hope you feel at home.

I'd start off the the Triton "Others" method, but most vendors are out of stock.

Hopefully you'll get more input from reefer's like @justingraham , that is full blown Triton.

Again:
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!!

Freddie

 

[PDR]

Welcome to R2R!

I do not run the triton method so I don't have input specific to triton.
I would recommend a minimum of 3 A360's or 2 AP700's for that size tank.
I currently do not own one, but I have seen great results from the Kessil H380 and H160 refugium lights.
I would personally recommend more than 1 powerhead on a tank that size (I run four ph's on my 75). I'm not too familiar with the vortechs so hopefully, someone else can chime in on a specific recommendation.

 

[justingraham]

I have the same tank check out my build thread

Couple things I saw I don’t think your will have anywhere near the flow needed for an sps tank

I have a vectra m1 and a cor 20 for return pumps (you will likely only get 450 gph out of your return pump) hooked up on sea swirls with penductors

I have 3 mp10’s and two wavs inside the tank

And I think I still have dead spots

Fuge light I bought a 75 dollar grow light off amazon

Triton if u can get it it’s awesome if not it stinks

Like I said check out my build thread as I have most of what u have or plan to get

 

[GoVols]

Go with the Apex and the DOS pumps. GHL has too many known and frustrating bugs.

And get an 4 stage RO/DI unit with an built in TDS meter, right out of the gate.

The Ap700 is a great fixture, but you might want to go with two units.

My reef is 40" long on the inside glass, but if I had a 48" long, then I'd go with two units.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Welcome to the SaltWater life and r2r!

Nice grab for cheap!

Good luck!

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Great deal on tank and welcome to R2R! If you are completely new to reef keeping I would skip the Triton method it’s just going to add a layer of complexity and unnecessary expense to your setup and is absolutely unnecessary for a successful reef.

 

[GugsJr]

Great deal on tank and welcome to R2R! If you are completely new to reef keeping I would skip the Triton method it’s just going to add a layer of complexity and unnecessary expense to your setup and is absolutely unnecessary for a successful reef.

Have you tried Triton Method? I dont find any complexity in it at all.

Sure you need to test your all and Ca til you get it dialed it.

Once you have it set there are no more water changes.

I find it easier and more consistent then doing water changes.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Have you tried Triton Method? I dont find any complexity in it at all.

Sure you need to test your all and Ca til you get it dialed it.

Once you have it set there are no more water changes.

I find it easier and more consistent then doing water changes.

No haven’t tried the triton method.. Been successfuly Keeping reefs for over 30 years without it. No one is going to convince me that all the testing and dosing of their elements is any easier than a simple 10% water change once a month.

 

[GugsJr]

No haven’t tried the triton method.. Been successfuly Keeping reefs for over 30 years without it. No one is going to convince me that all the testing and dosing of their elements is any easier than a simple 10% water change once a month.

No need to try and convince you. I dont dose the individual elements just the core7

I send out 2 tests a year just for piece of mind and top off my core7 about every 4 months.

It is very easy but there are many ways to be successful in this hobby that's one of the things that makes it great

 

[Adam Gilbert]

I have the same tank check out my build thread

Thank you Justin. This helps quite a bit!

 

[TangingOut]

Overkill for a brand new reefer, especially if you're planning on keeping mostly LPS.

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[PDR]

Overkill for a brand new reefer, especially if you're planning on keeping mostly LPS.

I tend to agree. I consider the triton method a more advanced method of reef keeping. There are those who have great success, but there are also many who fail miserably with it. Even BRS has had some issues with the triton method. Personally, I would focus on learning the basics before trying something more advanced like this.

 

[Joe Batt]

For an LPS tank and softy tank, (which is probably the best starter introduction to the hobby) I would just go with the basics. You should be able to rely go Kalkwasser for supplementation for quite a while until the corals outgrow the talk. You can then move to dosing and then onto more advanced techniques. Triton is great, and I use it, but you need the knowledge basics there first. It seems a simple hobby until you realise how complicated it can actually get

 

[Adam Gilbert]

Overkill for a brand new reefer, especially if you're planning on keeping mostly LPS.

Welcome to the addiction.

Thank you for the feedback. Are you saying the equipment or the TRITON method is overkill?

 

[GugsJr]

Thank you for the feedback. Are you saying the equipment or the TRITON method is overkill?

I just saw minimal sps. I read sps missed the minimal part.

If you go heavy sps then I think Triton is great. With LPS and softies the up take would be minimal.

What I would do is to set it up for Triton with a sump for Triton. The difference is that you have a large fuge before the skimmer. (This will work no matter which method you want to go.)

Then start with water changes as you get more knowledge start with 2 part dosing if its needed. If you start to see you are doi g frequent water changes and dosing. Then maybe go to Triton at that point.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Thank you for the feedback. Are you saying the equipment or the TRITON method is overkill?

Sounds like he is saying triton is overkill for a new reefer that is planning a LPS/Softie-dominated tank.

From my understanding, Triton method is based around the idea of a super-stable nutrient-stripped set up for Acro/SPS-dominant tanks as those corals require stability to another level. LPS and Softies like "dirtier" nutrient-rich water and can take parameter swings much better and therefor the triton method is over kill and you will need to dose more-than-usual nutrients back into the tank to keep your corals happy.

Best of luck regardless.

 

[TangingOut]

Thank you for the feedback. Are you saying the equipment or the TRITON method is overkill?

Yes, TRITON method seems overkill for your situation. Equipment list looks good and smart to invest in quality upfront instead of constantly upgrading. GugsJr laid out a pretty good plan as you progress in the hobby and want to do an SPS tank.

 

[PDR]

This came out today from BRS. I would recommend giving it a watch.