Triton question

[PGriff]

I"ll try to keep this short. I have a 40 breeder & 20 sump. I have had a heck of a time trying to grow Chaeto, I'm on my 3rd attempt and it"s starting to fail. The Nitrates are zero and it's shriveling up. I turned off the GFO & carbon reactors, shut down the skimmer for almost 2 weeks. I checked the water and still no nitrates. yesterday I lost a fairly young cleaner shrimp. I say this to give you an idea of why I'd like to switch to a triton system.

I have to learn how to grow chaeto before I can switch over. I have been reading up on the triton method and have been wondering. the core7 supplemental system that they seem to be using, what's the difference between using that and say a calcium reactor? Wouldn't growing the chaeto and using a calcium reactor do the same thing? and maybe add some Chaetogro fertilizer?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d personally suggest starting simpler than either of those methods and use a two part to start.

The Triton full system allows you to control many elements independently. The reactor cannot perform than function at all.

 

[Righteous]

What are you using for calcium and alkalinity supplementation now?

I have been reading up on the triton method and have been wondering. the core7 supplemental system that they seem to be using, what's the difference between using that and say a calcium reactor? Wouldn't growing the chaeto and using a calcium reactor do the same thing? and maybe add some Chaetogro fertilizer?

I think you're asking if a calcium reactor, plus CheatoGro would supply the same chaeto growing elements as Triton Core7. More than likely it would. As an aside, I think using any 2 part solution over a calcium reactor would also be a much lower investment and learning curve than a going with a calcium reactor, especially since you only have a 40 gallon tank.

Triton core7 really expects you have a refugium that is about 10% of your total aquarium volume. They have a "Other Methods" version of core7 that is basically a 2-part without algae supplements mixed in. But in general unless you're all in on the Triton method, including doing periodic ICP test, it's a bit overkill.

An ICP test never hurts though. It may point to some issue that could be giving you trouble growing the chaeto. If you've grown a lot of chaeto in the past, you might find your potassium levels are extremely low, and a simple thing to dose along with 2 part. If you look at the ingredients of the ChaetoGro you'll see it's primarily potassium.

 

[PGriff]

What are you using for calcium and alkalinity supplementation now?



I think you're asking if a calcium reactor, plus CheatoGro would supply the same chaeto growing elements as Triton Core7. More than likely it would. As an aside, I think using any 2 part solution over a calcium reactor would also be a much lower investment and learning curve than a going with a calcium reactor, especially since you only have a 40 gallon tank.

Triton core7 really expects you have a refugium that is about 10% of your total aquarium volume. They have a "Other Methods" version of core7 that is basically a 2-part without algae supplements mixed in. But in general unless you're all in on the Triton method, including doing periodic ICP test, it's a bit overkill.

An ICP test never hurts though. It may point to some issue that could be giving you trouble growing the chaeto. If you've grown a lot of chaeto in the past, you might find your potassium levels are extremely low, and a simple thing to dose along with 2 part. If you look at the ingredients of the ChaetoGro you'll see it's primarily potassium.

first, I have the 40 breeder with a 20 sump. When I set the sump up I, I set it up with the biggest chaeto chamber I could make. According to the numbers, it's right around 5 gal. I figure I have 50 to 55 gals between the sump and display, I should have the 10%ish.

I use the API test, I know but I'm new to this and it's expensive, lol ammonia nitrite and nitrates all read right around zero. It's funny you mentioned the chaetogro I literally just got some in the mail and dosed it. lol ill update as it goes. I also plan on getting a kessill H80 soon. After that, the only thing I can think of is dosing nitrate to feed the chaeto. IDK

I feel like I'm fixing one problem and creating another. lol thanks for the help.

P.S. Any advice you can give on the 2 part dosing system would be appreciated. I can start reading up on it while I'm figuring this out.

 

[mcdrichj]

You also need 10x turnover through the sump. You could try to feed more heavily this should increase your nitrate and phosphate enough to grow chaeto. Something else to consider is what are you using for a light and what is the light cycle that you are using(how many hours on).

 

[sharpimage]

What is your alk and calcium at? Howe packed is your system? How much do you feed? How long has it been set up?

 

[Righteous]

I started with B-ionic. It's an easy one to start with since you don't have to worry about mixing or anything... just follow directions and dose equal amounts, and then keep an eye on your alk.