Trident vs Alkatronic vs KH Director vs kh guardian

[mitch91175]

This sounds even better!

Can't justify the $850 for a KH Director/Doser combo. Would be sweet for sure.

 

[road_runner]

Another review is in
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/trident-in-a-reefer-250-review.618303/

 

[mitch91175]

I just ordered one of these adjustable pipettes. Why didn't I get the eons ago? Figured when I am doing my manual test, at least I can ensure that I have the exact amount of fluid needed for the measurements.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FTFWCWX/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[mitch91175]

Ok so here is a preliminary test comparison that I just did using the following:

Salifert Mg, KH, Ca test kits
Hanna dKH (ppm) and Calcium checkers

These are the values that I am checking against from the Trident:

Alkatronic measurements around the same time:

Hanna dKH Test

Salifert KH result (0.37 - 9.7dKH) - also please note I used this test kit although it is expired and you can see from the difference in results why not to use expired test kits, I know this doesn't seem right:

Hanna calcium (459ppm):

Salifert Ca results (0.07 - 465ppm):

Salifert Mg results (did not register):

So from the test that I just did and without having the Trident even calibrated, I'd say that it is pretty darn accurate, precise, whatever word you want to put on it.

I could see reagent cost being an issue, but if you can live with the cons then not bad at all.

 

[Silver14SS]

Thank you for the quick comparison! Nice to see they are all in the same ballpark.

 

[leepink23]

Ok so here is a preliminary test comparison that I just did using the following:

Salifert Mg, KH, Ca test kits
Hanna dKH (ppm) and Calcium checkers

These are the values that I am checking against from the Trident:

Alkatronic measurements around the same time:

Hanna dKH Test

Salifert KH result (0.37 - 9.7dKH) - also please note I used this test kit although it is expired and you can see from the difference in results why not to use expired test kits, I know this doesn't seem right:

Hanna calcium (459ppm):

Salifert Ca results (0.07 - 465ppm):

Salifert Mg results (did not register):

So from the test that I just did and without having the Trident even calibrated, I'd say that it is pretty darn accurate, precise, whatever word you want to put on it.

I could see reagent cost being an issue, but if you can live with the cons then not bad at all.

Great comparison! Thank you

 

[mitch91175]

Thank you for the quick comparison! Nice to see they are all in the same ballpark.

Yeah I do not see what all the fuss is about precision/accuracy, etc. First and foremost are the measurements in the same ballpark and not +/- 1dKH or +/- 100ppm? Yes they all are within an acceptable range. Knowing that, I do not see myself doing much manual testing outside of PO4/NO3 (on occasion).

Also, when using manual test kits, if you get crazy numbers you are definitely doing something wrong.

 

[mitch91175]

One of the things that I will say that I do not like and never have is the design of the case for the Trident. Could have been a cube-style case for easy reagent replacement (and 100% avoid any tubing kinks) and been wall mountable.

 

[Silver14SS]

I assume your Alk is pretty steady, but it would be interesting to see if there's variation at different Alk values.

 

[road_runner]

I could see reagent cost being an issue, but if you can live with the cons then not bad at all.[/QUOTE]
This is assuming the unit will proven to be this stable over time..

 

[mitch91175]

I could see reagent cost being an issue, but if you can live with the cons then not bad at all.

This is assuming the unit will proven to be this stable over time..[/QUOTE]

I have a vague feeling honestly that it will be fine. Setup was soooo easy. Usually that can be a problem with devices of this nature, but it was well thought out.

 

[road_runner]

The out of box experince is not necessarily the indication of the reliability of the device over time.
It's the internal design and its complexity. If maintenance is recommended at vendor facility that's one indication to me.. yes DIY is claimed to be available when time comes, but the merer fact there is a recommendation of in facility maintenance is an indication it's not that straight forward.
Only time will tell...

 

[mitch91175]

The out of box experince is not necessarily the indication of the reliability of the device over time.
It's the internal design and its complexity. If maintenance is recommended at vendor facility that's one indication to me.. yes DIY is claimed to be available when time comes, but the merer fact there is a recommendation of in facility maintenance is an indication it's not that straight forward.
Only time will tell...

For me all I care about is by the time it is necessary that the DIY kit is readily available and priced appropriately for a maintenance kit. I do not think this is rocket science we are talking about here. For instance, logic tells me that the reagents that are used may be simply premixed off-the-shelf reagents (for B/C) and A is just a normal dKH reagent. Sure someone will investigate to see.

BTW, just saw another test and they both are doing their thing.

Alkatronic - 9.07
Trident - 9.1

 

[road_runner]

For me all I care about is by the time it is necessary that the DIY kit is readily available and priced appropriately for a maintenance kit. I do not think this is rocket science we are talking about here. For instance, logic tells me that the reagents that are used may be simply premixed off-the-shelf reagents (for B/C) and A is just a normal dKH reagent. Sure someone will investigate to see.

BTW, just saw another test and they both are doing their thing.

Alkatronic - 9.07
Trident - 9.1

Agreed. Glad you having fun ha ha.

 

[road_runner]

Btw mitch you also running dastaco correct?

 

[mitch91175]

Btw mitch you also running dastaco correct?

No Geo Reef 818/SMC415 with custom build dual-stage regulator.

 

[vangvace]

Seems crazy right, but interesting to me. I work from home so I get to see this stuff all day long while working.

Not crazy, but you are taking some thunder away from some youtube channels. ;Hilarious

Yeah I do not see what all the fuss is about precision/accuracy, etc. First and foremost are the measurements in the same ballpark and not +/- 1dKH or +/- 100ppm? Yes they all are within an acceptable range. Knowing that, I do not see myself doing much manual testing outside of PO4/NO3 (on occasion).

Also, when using manual test kits, if you get crazy numbers you are definitely doing something wrong.

I concur. Unless the different units are being fed off the same known value and the general test fudge factors are taken into account then it is a moot point to argue over. How all the devices work long term is going to be interesting and I think might be where Trident v1 gets an evolution down the road to improve so you don't have to send it in for periodic maintenance.

 

[road_runner]

No Geo Reef 818/SMC415 with custom build dual-stage regulator.

Oh for some reason I thought you are a fellow dastaco user ha ha.

 

[Janci]

I just ordered one of these adjustable pipettes. Why didn't I get the eons ago? Figured when I am doing my manual test, at least I can ensure that I have the exact

Ok so here is a preliminary test comparison that I just did using the following:

Salifert Mg, KH, Ca test kits
Hanna dKH (ppm) and Calcium checkers

These are the values that I am checking against from the Trident:

Alkatronic measurements around the same time:

Hanna dKH Test

Salifert KH result (0.37 - 9.7dKH) - also please note I used this test kit although it is expired and you can see from the difference in results why not to use expired test kits, I know this doesn't seem right:

Hanna calcium (459ppm):

Salifert Ca results (0.07 - 465ppm):

Salifert Mg results (did not register):

So from the test that I just did and without having the Trident even calibrated, I'd say that it is pretty darn accurate, precise, whatever word you want to put on it.

I could see reagent cost being an issue, but if you can live with the cons then not bad at all.

As said before, all in the same ballpark.
Even if there is a difference between 2 test kits of 0.6 dKH, there is nothing to worry.
As long as both test follow the same line in time, you are ok to go.
Absolute numbers do not matter in our hobby (till certain extends of course).

What matters, is keeping the number stable.

 

[mitch91175]

Doing calibration now and really not expecting anything out of the norm.