Opinions needed: auto water change or Triton?

[Mebeknob]

I’m setting up an innovative Marine fusion 20 gallon peninsula at my office. I need this tank to be ULM as possible. I can’t decide between Triton or Auto Water change. I have two Neptune DoS to work with, Neptune Apex, 2 XR15, XF230 gyre, sicce return pump.


Triton: (skimmer in middle section, filter floss and bio media in 1st chamber, algae rector)
-No water changes
-no hauling water into office
-have to buy Triton supplements (limited at the moment)
-will probably require algae reactor
-have to pay and send out tests
-more variety of corals

Auto Water change: (filter floss and fuge in first chamber, skimmer in second OR filter floss, marinepure block and chemipure)
-can probably sell one DoS
-have to haul water
-more familiar with this method
-have to buy salt
-more space required for water change tanks

What are your thoughts?! I need help to decide

 

[HotRocks]

I’m setting up an innovative Marine fusion 20 gallon peninsula at my office. I need this tank to be ULM as possible. I can’t decide between Triton or Auto Water change. I have two Neptune DoS to work with, Neptune Apex, 2 XR15, XF230 gyre, sicce return pump.


Triton: (skimmer in middle section, filter floss and bio media in 1st chamber, algae rector)
-No water changes
-no hauling water into office
-have to buy Triton supplements (limited at the moment)
-will probably require algae reactor
-have to pay and send out tests
-more variety of corals

Auto Water change: (filter floss and fuge in first chamber, skimmer in second OR filter floss, marinepure block and chemipure)
-can probably sell one DoS
-have to haul water
-more familiar with this method
-have to buy salt
-more space required for water change tanks

What are your thoughts?! I need help to decide

I am not super familiar with the Triton Method. I wouldn't think Wc's on a 20g would be too bad, even having to haul the water. Of course my office is small and my Truck is 20' from my desk. I am highly considering an office tank as well. I am in construction though and worry about contaminants in the shop, and use of chemicals around here etc. We also have a cleaning company that is here after hours (Scares me). Good Luck whatever route you decide to go!

 

[Mebeknob]

I am not super familiar with the Triton Method. I wouldn't think Wc's on a 20g would be too bad, even having to haul the water. Of course my office is small and my Truck is 20' from my desk. I am highly considering an office tank as well. I am in construction though and worry about contaminants in the shop, and use of chemicals around here etc. We also have a cleaning company that is here after hours (Scares me). Good Luck whatever route you decide to go!

In that case I’d def have a lid like the fluval 13.5!

 

[hart24601]

I personally am a big fan of waterchanges. With a smaller tank like that instant ocean salt is not expensive ($46 bucks shipped right now - 23 cents a gallon). If changing 10% a week - 2 gallons that's 1.84 a month or $22 a year to have trace elements replaced/not build up plus nutrient export.

 

[Servillius]

On a tank that size, water changes just have a lot going for them.

Independent of tank size, while there’s a lot of reported success out there without water changes using systems like Triton, they’re also fairly new for most. As an experiment because you want to learn something new, go for it. But if the tried and true is your friend, there’s just a heck of a lot of success out there built around water changes.

 

[hart24601]

I want to add that the most successful no W/C systems I see are already mature, or at least set up a good amount of time. I would be cautious going that route right off the bat although I'm sure some examples exist, w/c is a nice partial reset if something gets off.

 

[ShadowR55]

I did not have a good experience starting the triton method with a new tank. I am still using triton 4 part dosing with 2 DOS units. But I am sticking with 1 monthly 25% water Change because the trace elements get out of whack even with the triton elements.

 

[Mebeknob]

I personally am a big fan of waterchanges. With a smaller tank like that instant ocean salt is not expensive ($46 bucks shipped right now - 23 cents a gallon). If changing 10% a week - 2 gallons that's 1.84 a month or $22 a year to have trace elements replaced/not build up plus nutrient export.

Good point on cost

 

[Mebeknob]

Yeah I’m leaning towards doing AWC then using the second DoS for two part.... if I’ll even need it.
I know water changes and don’t like being dependent on Triton and their products

 

[djbetterly]

With my prior tank, the biggest issue I had with triton was my refugium wasn’t big enough, I had to supplement the system with vinegar dosing. With my new tank I’m going to run triton with small AWC’s and see how that works out.

I do agree that triton seems to work best with mature tanks, I also believe that most sumps do not have enough space to run a refugium large enough to accommodate the requirement of the triton system...unless of course you have a fish room with plenty of room for extra large sump.