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As you read and hear more and more discussion about the Triton ICP-OES aquarium water tests and the “method” that Triton suggests, it’s very important to understand just what the tests and practices espoused by Triton can-and cannot- do for you. It would be easy for us as hobbyists to just accept on blind faith that what Triton is offering is this incredibly sophisticated, super accurate testing method, which is infallible and beyond doubt. Also, it would be incredibly easy for some very sophisticated scientists to cast aspersions on said accuracy and usefulness of the testing, based upon their understanding of the inherent difficulties in testing trace elements in saltwater via the ICP-OES method. In short, it’s easy to look upon the testing with some degree of doubt. The reality is that the accuracy of the tests is based upon the presumption of being “fit for purpose”, i.e.; high level aquarium water hobby and professional testing.
The problem, as it exists currently, is that we as aquarists have for decades accepted manufacturers’ claims about products without any real detailed explanations and proofs to back them up. Sure, a lot of products are “based on scientific principles” or can make claims of high accuracy. The reality is, we as hobbyists have made that most fatal flaw of assuming that we are getting what we are paying for, with little scrutiny and skepticism metered out as products come to market. Sure, you’ll get the usual “good ‘ol boy” questioning from the “old guard” hobbyists, many of whom are scientists- but by and large, most are given a free pass.
For example, it’s been hobby practice for decades now to use bottled trace element solutions or dry trace element delivery products as part of our regular husbandry in reef systems. We dutifully dose things that we may or may not have tests for, and which have not been independently verified as containing the very trace elements they supposedly have. We dose based on crude understanding of what is used by our animals, and how much. I’m not implying that we have been reckless, but we have been surprisingly accepting of many aquarium product manufacturer’s claims “just because.”
Is this a good thing, or not?
Along comes Triton, with the promise of incredibly accurate trace element testing for a reasonably affordable price. We talk about a sophisticated machine to test for said trace elements on a level not previously applied to the hobby. All true. However, let’s be honest- the accuracy of the testing, many magnitudes better than anything we’ve had to work with before in the hobby- is still subject to debate among scientists specializing in marine chemistry. To the scientist conducting an academic lab experiment, the level of precision must be incredibly high, with little margin for doubt. In the business of analytical chemistry, there is a huge difference between some absolute focus on the most stringent scientific concepts of accuracy and precision, and a focus on "fitness for purpose" to the client.
What am I saying here? I’m saying that, for the purpose of enjoying the reef aquarium hobby and for aquarium professionals, what Triton does is provide results far, far better than anything we’ve had to work with before, with a sophisticated test protocol developed for the purpose of creating results that are useable and understandable to the hobbyist, and precise enough for the professional. In short, I suppose one might say that the results offer incredible accuracy for the hobbyist, and are precise enough for the aquatic professional.
It’s likely the most accurate analysis of trace elements we have had available, and that it will create an awareness level for us about what’s going on in our captive reef systems that we have not had before.
Triton is a highly accurate, professional product with a sophisticated scientific pedigree. It’s not part of a grandiose thesis-level research product. Although it utilizes some of the most sophisticated technology available, It’s not intended to be utilized in academic research. Rather, it’s designed for professionals and hobbyists who would like a higher level of understanding about the composition of their reef aquarium’s water, with very sensitive limits of detection. Triton's testing has been utilized in practice at public and private aquariums all over the world for the past 7 years- a testimony to the accuracy and usefulness of this product.
As for the “method” which Triton espouses, it’s based upon the fact that the average hobbyist wants the best possible results for his reef aquarium, with a reasonable amount of effort and expense expended along the way. The testing serves as a means to determine just where your reef aquarium stands in terms of trace element levels. For purposes of comparison, Triton utilizes natural seawater (NSW) averages based on samples taken from locations around the world, as the “baseline” to aspire to. The test results you will receive will show just how closely your system’s concentration of trace elements compare to NSW levels. Corrective actions are taken based upon this information, to attempt to replicate as closely as possible the trace element composition of NSW. Once your water chemistry (as verified by the test) approaches that of the NSW “baseline”, it’s all about maintaining this.
Triton’s main way to achieve this is to continuously dose a 4-part calcium/alkalinity/balanced trace element solution, called “Base Elementz", much as we have relied on 2-part or 3-part solutions in the past. The difference is that you can now have very detailed information as you go to see how far your aquarium water is off of the aforementioned “baseline” NSW parameters, and this four part solution gives you a very good starting point. As far as adding additional trace elements are concerned, once you are on the dosing regimen, you’d only add the exact elements that your water tests indicate are deficient, nothing more, or nothing less. The test results will provide specific recommendations based on your system’s requirements- not sweeping generalities and vague, “one size fits all” solutions.
In future installments, we will address some of the other husbandry practices and system design ideas that Triton recommends. You will find that most of them vary little form the practices which you have been utilizing for years. In the end, you may very well find that this seemingly complex system is, in all actuality, among the easiest methodologies you’ve ever utilized to manage a beautiful home reef aquarium.
Triton is not a “magic bullet”, your ticket to Easy Street, or the “Holy Grail” of reef keeping. Rather, it’s a way of managing a reef aquarium based upon a very accurate testing regimen and a specific husbandry protocol. It is not the only way you can run a successful reef aquarium. However, it is, in our opinion, an efficient, effective means to help you achieve a beautiful, thriving home reef aquarium, and we believe it is among the best methodologies available. Even with the empowerment provided by Triton’s accurate test information and quality protocols, there is no substitute for the passion, skill, and effort of the avid reef hobbyist-and that WILL always be an absolute!
Scott Fellman and Joseph Caparatta
Triton US
The problem, as it exists currently, is that we as aquarists have for decades accepted manufacturers’ claims about products without any real detailed explanations and proofs to back them up. Sure, a lot of products are “based on scientific principles” or can make claims of high accuracy. The reality is, we as hobbyists have made that most fatal flaw of assuming that we are getting what we are paying for, with little scrutiny and skepticism metered out as products come to market. Sure, you’ll get the usual “good ‘ol boy” questioning from the “old guard” hobbyists, many of whom are scientists- but by and large, most are given a free pass.
For example, it’s been hobby practice for decades now to use bottled trace element solutions or dry trace element delivery products as part of our regular husbandry in reef systems. We dutifully dose things that we may or may not have tests for, and which have not been independently verified as containing the very trace elements they supposedly have. We dose based on crude understanding of what is used by our animals, and how much. I’m not implying that we have been reckless, but we have been surprisingly accepting of many aquarium product manufacturer’s claims “just because.”
Is this a good thing, or not?
Along comes Triton, with the promise of incredibly accurate trace element testing for a reasonably affordable price. We talk about a sophisticated machine to test for said trace elements on a level not previously applied to the hobby. All true. However, let’s be honest- the accuracy of the testing, many magnitudes better than anything we’ve had to work with before in the hobby- is still subject to debate among scientists specializing in marine chemistry. To the scientist conducting an academic lab experiment, the level of precision must be incredibly high, with little margin for doubt. In the business of analytical chemistry, there is a huge difference between some absolute focus on the most stringent scientific concepts of accuracy and precision, and a focus on "fitness for purpose" to the client.
What am I saying here? I’m saying that, for the purpose of enjoying the reef aquarium hobby and for aquarium professionals, what Triton does is provide results far, far better than anything we’ve had to work with before, with a sophisticated test protocol developed for the purpose of creating results that are useable and understandable to the hobbyist, and precise enough for the professional. In short, I suppose one might say that the results offer incredible accuracy for the hobbyist, and are precise enough for the aquatic professional.
It’s likely the most accurate analysis of trace elements we have had available, and that it will create an awareness level for us about what’s going on in our captive reef systems that we have not had before.
Triton is a highly accurate, professional product with a sophisticated scientific pedigree. It’s not part of a grandiose thesis-level research product. Although it utilizes some of the most sophisticated technology available, It’s not intended to be utilized in academic research. Rather, it’s designed for professionals and hobbyists who would like a higher level of understanding about the composition of their reef aquarium’s water, with very sensitive limits of detection. Triton's testing has been utilized in practice at public and private aquariums all over the world for the past 7 years- a testimony to the accuracy and usefulness of this product.
As for the “method” which Triton espouses, it’s based upon the fact that the average hobbyist wants the best possible results for his reef aquarium, with a reasonable amount of effort and expense expended along the way. The testing serves as a means to determine just where your reef aquarium stands in terms of trace element levels. For purposes of comparison, Triton utilizes natural seawater (NSW) averages based on samples taken from locations around the world, as the “baseline” to aspire to. The test results you will receive will show just how closely your system’s concentration of trace elements compare to NSW levels. Corrective actions are taken based upon this information, to attempt to replicate as closely as possible the trace element composition of NSW. Once your water chemistry (as verified by the test) approaches that of the NSW “baseline”, it’s all about maintaining this.
Triton’s main way to achieve this is to continuously dose a 4-part calcium/alkalinity/balanced trace element solution, called “Base Elementz", much as we have relied on 2-part or 3-part solutions in the past. The difference is that you can now have very detailed information as you go to see how far your aquarium water is off of the aforementioned “baseline” NSW parameters, and this four part solution gives you a very good starting point. As far as adding additional trace elements are concerned, once you are on the dosing regimen, you’d only add the exact elements that your water tests indicate are deficient, nothing more, or nothing less. The test results will provide specific recommendations based on your system’s requirements- not sweeping generalities and vague, “one size fits all” solutions.
In future installments, we will address some of the other husbandry practices and system design ideas that Triton recommends. You will find that most of them vary little form the practices which you have been utilizing for years. In the end, you may very well find that this seemingly complex system is, in all actuality, among the easiest methodologies you’ve ever utilized to manage a beautiful home reef aquarium.
Triton is not a “magic bullet”, your ticket to Easy Street, or the “Holy Grail” of reef keeping. Rather, it’s a way of managing a reef aquarium based upon a very accurate testing regimen and a specific husbandry protocol. It is not the only way you can run a successful reef aquarium. However, it is, in our opinion, an efficient, effective means to help you achieve a beautiful, thriving home reef aquarium, and we believe it is among the best methodologies available. Even with the empowerment provided by Triton’s accurate test information and quality protocols, there is no substitute for the passion, skill, and effort of the avid reef hobbyist-and that WILL always be an absolute!
Scott Fellman and Joseph Caparatta
Triton US
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