OP
OP
bdejong1112o
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Triton update.
So I started this tank and designed it around the requirements for the Triton Method. I was drawn to this due to the elimination or at least drastic reduction for the need to perform water changes. For me, the thought of changing out up to 50 gallons(20%) of my tank water a couple times a month or even once a month was just not going to make me a happy tank owner. I know water changes are the mantra for some and that's great if it works for you then by all means do it. I also put in a large RODI system since I know that emergencies can occur and I am ready and able to do massive water changes on the system if the need is there. For me it was just not going to happen. I understand the science behind the Triton method and I also know its a method and not the only way to achieve the results I am looking for.
I have been running Triton since day one and I have change not a drop of water in the tank since day 1. Now, to be honest, I evaporate about 2 gallons a day based on the 15 gallon ATO tank being filled every 5 days or so. Yes, the math there makes it out to be 3 gallons per day but I don't let it drain down to empty since the pump would run dry before that.
So for the 4 months the tank has been up and running I figure I have evaporated over 270 gallons or so of water anyways. Don't take that to serious, having some fun with logic here. Just making the statement that even though i have not done any purposeful water changes there has been new water added at a reasonable pace to the tank since day 1.
I want to be clear here that this is not a Triton bashing post and I will ask that posts that degrade to that be removed. Please keep it positive and keep my build thread devoid of that. I am only discussing what I am going through and relating to others that are in similar situations. The issues with the Triton containers and shipping are well documented and they have their own forum for those discussions.
Anyways, I digress from the real reason for this update. Those of us on the Triton method are well aware of the issues with the containers and the availability of the solutions. I am getting to the point in my solution levels where a decision has to be made. I know that the solutions show up every now and then but there is always a rush to get them and they are normally sold out by the time I get there. I for one am not looking forward to having to rush to order the solutions each time I need them. Since I don't have a tank full of SPS corals my daily needs are pretty low but I am going to run out so I am considering a switch to another method.
So far I have seriously looked at the ATI essentials and the Red Sea system. I know there are a few others out there but these two are either available locally or are available from the larger online re-sellers. Hey, @Bulk Reef Supply why not carry the ATI stuff? So I am going to make a decision within the next week or so and start the changeover. I have the advantage of time and a tank that is mostly LPS with a few initial SPS in there that are doing very well so far. I am positive that with the water volume I have, enough dosing pumps and the very large sump and refugium that I can continue to not need water changes with either of the above two methods. I am leaning more to the ATI essentials since it looks to be very close to Triton but I do like the open information on the red sea approach. They, Red Sea are very open about whats in each solution and its neat how they have it all worked out.
So for either ATI essentials or Red Sea who out there is using them and what should I be aware of for either. Looking for both the good and the bad. Nothing wrong with open discussions on bad parts, everything has a negative its all about what we do about it that matters.
So I started this tank and designed it around the requirements for the Triton Method. I was drawn to this due to the elimination or at least drastic reduction for the need to perform water changes. For me, the thought of changing out up to 50 gallons(20%) of my tank water a couple times a month or even once a month was just not going to make me a happy tank owner. I know water changes are the mantra for some and that's great if it works for you then by all means do it. I also put in a large RODI system since I know that emergencies can occur and I am ready and able to do massive water changes on the system if the need is there. For me it was just not going to happen. I understand the science behind the Triton method and I also know its a method and not the only way to achieve the results I am looking for.
I have been running Triton since day one and I have change not a drop of water in the tank since day 1. Now, to be honest, I evaporate about 2 gallons a day based on the 15 gallon ATO tank being filled every 5 days or so. Yes, the math there makes it out to be 3 gallons per day but I don't let it drain down to empty since the pump would run dry before that.
So for the 4 months the tank has been up and running I figure I have evaporated over 270 gallons or so of water anyways. Don't take that to serious, having some fun with logic here. Just making the statement that even though i have not done any purposeful water changes there has been new water added at a reasonable pace to the tank since day 1.I want to be clear here that this is not a Triton bashing post and I will ask that posts that degrade to that be removed. Please keep it positive and keep my build thread devoid of that. I am only discussing what I am going through and relating to others that are in similar situations. The issues with the Triton containers and shipping are well documented and they have their own forum for those discussions.
Anyways, I digress from the real reason for this update. Those of us on the Triton method are well aware of the issues with the containers and the availability of the solutions. I am getting to the point in my solution levels where a decision has to be made. I know that the solutions show up every now and then but there is always a rush to get them and they are normally sold out by the time I get there. I for one am not looking forward to having to rush to order the solutions each time I need them. Since I don't have a tank full of SPS corals my daily needs are pretty low but I am going to run out so I am considering a switch to another method.
So far I have seriously looked at the ATI essentials and the Red Sea system. I know there are a few others out there but these two are either available locally or are available from the larger online re-sellers. Hey, @Bulk Reef Supply why not carry the ATI stuff? So I am going to make a decision within the next week or so and start the changeover. I have the advantage of time and a tank that is mostly LPS with a few initial SPS in there that are doing very well so far. I am positive that with the water volume I have, enough dosing pumps and the very large sump and refugium that I can continue to not need water changes with either of the above two methods. I am leaning more to the ATI essentials since it looks to be very close to Triton but I do like the open information on the red sea approach. They, Red Sea are very open about whats in each solution and its neat how they have it all worked out.
So for either ATI essentials or Red Sea who out there is using them and what should I be aware of for either. Looking for both the good and the bad. Nothing wrong with open discussions on bad parts, everything has a negative its all about what we do about it that matters.
