gvontz
New Member
I have been reef keeping for about 20 years and have tried many approaches from deep sand beds, low nutrient systems with biopellets, bare bottom tanks, etc. In reading and learning about the Triton Method I was intrigued enough to take the plunge. Thought I would share my initial experience and see if others had any advice for what lies ahead.
I have 150 g DT with a 50 g refugium with chaetomorpha and red mangroves. I had my first Triton water analysis done on my tank prior to dosing the Triton Elementz. I had been using a very high quality salt mix and was doing water changes twice a month thinking my water parameters were pretty good. Wrong. Turns out my tank water was deficient in a lot of areas based on the Triton water analysis. I had assumed that with a high end salt mix and regular water changes that many of the macro and trace elements would be in good order.
To mix the Triton Elements I purchased four 12L home brewing jugs for mixing up the Triton Elements. I marked off the jugs at 10L (the final solution volume for the 4 Elementz). Pretty easy thereafter to simply put the container of each Triton Element (1,2,3a,3b) into their respective jugs and fill with RODI water to the 10L mark. I also bought 4 low profile 1 gal containers to fit under neath the DT and hold the Elementz for the dosing pump. Pleased to say that so far the Elementz have lasted much longer than I anticipated and suspect that one set will hold the tank for at least 3 if not 5 months.
Over the first few months I saw the alkalinity fluctuate as the tank adapted to the Elementz. In fact my second water test with Triton (6 weeks post initiation of Elementz) showed that there were still a few trace elements that were at a deficit based on what my SPS and LPS were consuming. I have since corrected the individual trace element deficits and in the ensuing 6 weeks have seen really good coral growth and coloration. I have quit using high capacity GFO as advised by Triton and for now algae is not a problem whatsoever. I would say the entire tank looks more balanced, stable with better growth and coloration. All of this is under LED lighting.
I don't miss the work and effort of water changes or the cost of buying premium salt mixes. I am going through fewer RODI supplies since my tank only needs top off water. So all in all I am very pleased 3 months into the system. It seems cost effective when I factor in the time saved from doing water changes, buying salt, testing and dosing CA and Mg and no trace elements to purchase. Will be eager to see how things look at the 6 month mark, but so far so good. Also should mention the Triton folks do a great job with getting the water analyses done and readily available on line in a couple of weeks.
Would welcome and suggestions or advice - happy to answer any questions on my end.
Greg
I have 150 g DT with a 50 g refugium with chaetomorpha and red mangroves. I had my first Triton water analysis done on my tank prior to dosing the Triton Elementz. I had been using a very high quality salt mix and was doing water changes twice a month thinking my water parameters were pretty good. Wrong. Turns out my tank water was deficient in a lot of areas based on the Triton water analysis. I had assumed that with a high end salt mix and regular water changes that many of the macro and trace elements would be in good order.
To mix the Triton Elements I purchased four 12L home brewing jugs for mixing up the Triton Elements. I marked off the jugs at 10L (the final solution volume for the 4 Elementz). Pretty easy thereafter to simply put the container of each Triton Element (1,2,3a,3b) into their respective jugs and fill with RODI water to the 10L mark. I also bought 4 low profile 1 gal containers to fit under neath the DT and hold the Elementz for the dosing pump. Pleased to say that so far the Elementz have lasted much longer than I anticipated and suspect that one set will hold the tank for at least 3 if not 5 months.
Over the first few months I saw the alkalinity fluctuate as the tank adapted to the Elementz. In fact my second water test with Triton (6 weeks post initiation of Elementz) showed that there were still a few trace elements that were at a deficit based on what my SPS and LPS were consuming. I have since corrected the individual trace element deficits and in the ensuing 6 weeks have seen really good coral growth and coloration. I have quit using high capacity GFO as advised by Triton and for now algae is not a problem whatsoever. I would say the entire tank looks more balanced, stable with better growth and coloration. All of this is under LED lighting.
I don't miss the work and effort of water changes or the cost of buying premium salt mixes. I am going through fewer RODI supplies since my tank only needs top off water. So all in all I am very pleased 3 months into the system. It seems cost effective when I factor in the time saved from doing water changes, buying salt, testing and dosing CA and Mg and no trace elements to purchase. Will be eager to see how things look at the 6 month mark, but so far so good. Also should mention the Triton folks do a great job with getting the water analyses done and readily available on line in a couple of weeks.
Would welcome and suggestions or advice - happy to answer any questions on my end.
Greg
