Triton Test - Trying out for... SCIENCE!

Electrobes · Nov 5, 2014

I have seen several people results show normal Al levels (Not high). There's been a lot of discussion about it lately ( Just ask Randy :lol: )

hatfielj · Nov 5, 2014

For what its worth, here are the results of my test as well. I had a handful of high readings. The copper is one I'm a bit concerned with. Don't know how that is occurring? Of note, this sample was sent in after I had skipped doing water changes for probably 6 weeks. I'm going to be getting on a regular schedule of once a month and I'm adding a refugium to grow macro-algae. So, I'm sure my results will change. I'll retest again in a month or so. I'm going to send in a sample of my salt water mix in the mean time to see what I'm putting in my tank when I change the water. That might shed some light on where the high levels are coming from?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 5, 2014

FWIW, I have carefully tested my tank for copper in the past and found values higher than yours (mine was 11-13 ppb, IIRC), and while I preferred it to be lower, the tank had no apparent issues and I don't consider your copper level a significant issue.

My recent Triton test didn't detect copper. Perhaps my system has changed a bit in recent years to reduce the value.

FWIW, someone recently tested Reef Crystals and it had some copper. Do you use it?

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re.../176536-reef-crystals-vs-esv-triton-test.html

hatfielj · Nov 5, 2014

Randy thanks for that info. I used to use Reef Crystals. These results probably still include mostly reef crystals salt mix (maybe 60% reef crystals 40% my new salt mix) I just recently switched to a german brand of salt that Bulk Reef Supply sells called "HW Marinemix" hw-Marinemix Reefer Salt Mix 160 Gallons - Bulk Reef Supply

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 5, 2014

That might be the cause then, but many things, including foods, will add copper.

Electrobes · Nov 17, 2014

So a minor update on the going-ons of the tank. I have taken out my main water flow method (Reeflo dart Hybrid plus two 1" Sea Swirls) and replaced it with one 50w Gyre Generator and a Mag 12. Unfortunately, I am having issues with the new Mag 12 pump, and am hoping the new impeller being sent by Danner will fix it. I took the opportunity to clean out the sump and skimmer.

The reason I mention the above is because I changed about 10+ gallons of water, with the skimmer/sump often being inactive, and the Phosban Reactor being turned off. I am waiting until everything stabilizes before I send out another Triton Test to see where I stand.

coralcruze · Nov 17, 2014

ditch the mag... nothing but trouble.

Kungpaoshizi · Nov 30, 2014

Bump for a good thread!

Looking to find more test results per salt brand myself...

Unfortunate to see the elevated levels so far with a few brands and now left to question other variables.

Electrobes · Feb 11, 2015

@Randy Holmes-Farley (Thought you would find the Al interesting)

I am back with part two of my Triton test results. I have since change a couple things from my tank:

- I started using filter socks about two weeks ago. All water going into the sump has to pass through the filter socks.

- Instead of 10G weekly water changes (With RC salt), I now do 20G water changes every other week. I did this because I am better able to gravel vac my system in one shot. I take one full free day every two weeks to clean my system, and I've seen nothing but good results so far.

- About a month or so ago, I started feeding LRS Fish Frenzy and Herbivore Frenzy only. I now do some flake in the morning, some more flake or LRS food in the afternoon, and LRS food in the evening.

- I carbon dose about 50-60mL of vinegar a day (As opposed to about 40mL a day)

Things of note:

- My aluminum level has significantly dropped. While I have no proof, I strongly believe the removal of the Marine Pure 8X8X4 block is the reason for the major drop in level.

- My Calcium level surprised me. I have been getting the same consistent reading of 500+ from my Salifert Test Kit. This kind of annoys me... as this will be my second bad test kit with Salifert, if this is the case.

- Tin is still high in their eyes... meh. :lol:

- The other low level stuff like Strontium, I am not too worried about. I will most likely not actively dose to increase it.

Triggreef · Feb 11, 2015

hatfielj said:
For what its worth, here are the results of my test as well. I had a handful of high readings. The copper is one I'm a bit concerned with. Don't know how that is occurring? Of note, this sample was sent in after I had skipped doing water changes for probably 6 weeks. I'm going to be getting on a regular schedule of once a month and I'm adding a refugium to grow macro-algae. So, I'm sure my results will change. I'll retest again in a month or so. I'm going to send in a sample of my salt water mix in the mean time to see what I'm putting in my tank when I change the water. That might shed some light on where the high levels are coming from?

Fwiw, my tank showed similar copper. I sent out a couple more tests to find the source, which ended up being my tap water and ro water. So using tap water to the frozen food, or for black worms in my case, as w well as all old ro filters were my cause. My to only showed a tds of 1. That 1 tds was letting through about 2.10 ug/l copper iirc.

hatfielj · Feb 11, 2015

Thanks. I don't know if these levels have been fixed or not. But, I do know that my tank is currently doing pretty darn good. My acros are looking fantastic. So, I'm not going to mess with anything right now. I guess sending in another sample would be worthwhile to see if anything is better?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 11, 2015

Electrobes said:
@Randy Holmes-Farley (Thought you would find the Al interesting)

.

I can't see the numbers in those pictures, but the Al is interesting.

dbl · Feb 11, 2015

Admittedly this post has nothing to do with water chemistry, so forgive me for a moment. I had the privilege of seeing Christianâ€™s (Electrobes) tank in person just last week. I can tell you the original pictures he posted do not do it justice. Itâ€™s really unique and quite beautiful, and is very well and cleanly put together. I just stumbled on this thread and will now follow along having seen it in person. Great information here Christian.

Electrobes · Feb 11, 2015

Hey dbl!! Thanks you should see it now, I spent an entire day cleaning it! [emoji38]

Electrobes · Feb 11, 2015

Thanks dbl! I change a couple things and cleaned the tank since you were here last!! [emoji38]

Electrobes · Feb 11, 2015

Ack I just now saw how small the pic is, blarg.

Electrobes · Feb 11, 2015

I got it to work - Randy Holmes-Farley

Electrobes · Feb 21, 2015

IGNORE THE ABOVE TEST RESULTS! THERE WAS A MIX UP AT TRITON, ANOTHER CUSTOMER WROTE IN MY TANK ID BY MISTAKE. THESE ARE MY ACTUAL TEST RESULTS!!!!

@Randy Holmes-Farley (Thought you would find the Al interesting)

I am back with part two of my Triton test results. I have since change a couple things from my tank:

- I discovered my dosing pump was only dosing 1/4th of what I thought it was.. a biiiig oops. I have since re-calibrated.

- I started using filter socks about two weeks ago. All water going into the sump has to pass through the filter socks.

- Instead of 10G weekly water changes (With RC salt), I now do 25G-30G water changes every other week. I did this because I am better able to gravel vac my system in one shot. I take one full free day every two weeks to clean my system, and I've seen nothing but good results so far.

- About a month or so ago, I started feeding LRS Fish Frenzy and Herbivore Frenzy only. I now do LRS Fish Frenzy in the morning, some herbivore flake food for lunch, and back to LRS Fish Frenzy in the evening.

- I carbon dose about 40mL of vinegar a day

Things of note:

- My aluminum level has significantly dropped. While I have no proof, I strongly believe the removal of the Marine Pure 8X8X4 block is the reason for the major drop in level.

- Tin is still high in their eyes... meh.

- Calcium is very high, as my other test kits have indicated. I honestly don't know why, as I've stopped dosing calcium for a week and a half, and only my Reef Crystals water changes could be elevating it. Who knows.. my frags are growing bunches so I am not too worried about this quite yet.

- Magnesium currently at 1320ppm (I just tested it), so a slight bump is needed.. no biggie.

- Bromide is high.. I guess it's my salt?

- Lithium is always high for me.

- Phosphorus and Phosphate are a little high, but can easily be explained by my only dosing a 1.4th of my total vinegar I thought I was dosing. I'll wait a month or two since my dosing pump has been calibrated, and re-run a Triton test to see where I am at with this. I have nothing in my tank that indicates these parameters are a problem.