Triton ICP-OES Supplements Question.

ForEverOnTheRoad · Jun 24, 2018

Hello...
I have a Red Sea Reefer 750xxl. Running the Triton method with the Triton Core 7 Elements for about 2 months. All is looking and testing fine.

I recently got my first ICP-OES back from Triton. Awesome information. Everything looks good but have a few minor adjustments to make. They have made a few recommendations which are great to tweak everything, but the dosage amounts I presume are for the "Triton brand Pure Elements". Can I use other brands of elements? i.e. ATI elements and additives are half the price? I presume that if I do this the amounts that are recommended may have to be recalculated?

I realize that the first time buying these they will last a while, but its a big chunk of change.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 24, 2018

You can certainly use whatever you want, but few commercial companies will give you a concentration for trace elements (if you care to be that exact). If that level of detail is a goal, you may have to DIY or use Triton's elements.

Oberst Oswald · Jun 24, 2018

I run Triton for about 2 years and would assume/think that the doses they recommend is for their products. Not knowing the percent of what element is in those little bottles I decided to go with all Triton and spend the money. My advice is if you are going to do Triton, which is not cheap, so why try save a buck and defeat the purpose of going Triton in the first place. Before Triton I could not keep a SPS coral to save my life now mostly whatever I throw in the tank lives and does well with the test being done every 2 months.

ForEverOnTheRoad · Jun 24, 2018

You’re probably right on using the triton chemicals. Just got sticker shock initially. I’m sure it’s the best overall quality and value.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 24, 2018

ForEverOnTheRoad said:
You’re probably right on using the triton chemicals. Just got sticker shock initially. I’m sure it’s the best overall quality and value.

I wouldn't assume it is either better quality or value than a DIY (which you can know the quality of, rather than assuming what Triton does).

Oberst Oswald · Jun 24, 2018

Won't disagree with Randy... lets just say it is less work.

ForEverOnTheRoad · Jun 24, 2018

Thanks. I travel a lot so “less work” is sometimes appealing. One of the reasons I researched and chose this method. That being said I love the aspects of DIY. Don’t have anything that needs immediate attention so I will research a little more.

Thanks again.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 24, 2018

When you figure out what you need, if you might want a DIY, just stop back. A surprising variety of high quality chemicals can be obtained online these days.

ForEverOnTheRoad · Jun 25, 2018

Hey Randy...Test results attached. Here are the adjustments they recommend...Any DIY suggestions are appreciated.

Mg(Magnesium): We recommend the corrective dosage be carried out over 2 days. For the first 1 days the daily dosage should be 378.5ml. On the last day please use 151.6ml.
K(Potassium): We recommend the corrective dosage be carried out over 3 days. For the first 2 days the daily dosage should be 151.4ml. On the last day please use 17.59ml.
I(Iodine): We recommend the corrective dosage of 7.42 ml for 1 day.
I: We recommend a daily maintenance dose of 0.74ml. If this dose is very low, then this can be alternatively be dosed weekly (daily dose x7).
B(Boron): We recommend the corrective dosage of 60.58 ml for 1 day.
Sr(Strontium): We recommend the corrective dosage of 63.42 ml for 1 day
Br(Bromine): We recommend the corrective dosage be carried out over 7 days. For the first 6 days the daily dosage should be 37.85ml. On the last day please use 11.31ml.
S(Sulphur): We recommend the corrective dosage be carried out over 12 days. For the first 11 days the daily dosage should be 189.25ml. On the last day please use 15.36ml.
Li(Lithium): We recommend the corrective dosage of 28.78 ml for 1 day.
V(Vanadium): We recommend the corrective dosage of 0.91 ml for 1 day.
V: We recommend a daily maintenance dose of 0.06ml. If this dose is very low, then this can be alternatively be dosed weekly (daily dose x7).
Mn(Manganese): We recommend the corrective dosage be carried out over 3 days. For the first 2 days the daily dosage should be 7.57ml. On the last day please use 0.0099999999999998ml.
Mn: We recommend a daily maintenance dose of 1.26ml. If this dose is very low, then this can be alternatively be dosed weekly (daily dose x7).
Ni(Nickel): We recommend the corrective dosage be carried out over 3 days. For the first 2 days the daily dosage should be 15.14ml. On the last day please use 7.58ml.
Zn (Zinc): We recommend the corrective dosage of 3.03 ml for 1 day.
Zn: We recommend a daily maintenance dose of 0.30ml. If this dose is very low, then this can be alternatively be dosed weekly (daily dose x7).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 25, 2018

I certainly wouldn't do all of them since some are not needed and some are already fine (not lithium, magnesium is fine) and others I'd only do if you are either very picky (boron and strontium are close to natural levels, sulfate has no strong need to be at that target level).

I'd focus first on potassium and the unmeasured trace elements (vanadium, zinc, manganese) and secondarily with nickel and iodine.

We have discussed DIY for most of these.

Food grade potassium chloride:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENS39WG/ref=psdc_3774461_t1_B000WSP6WM?th=1

Vanadium discussion:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vanadium-pentoxide-need-help-from-the-big-brains.409810/

Manganese discussion

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/molybdenum-and-manganese-diy-supplement.327413/