Guide to the Triton Method

[Scott.h]

Hi there Triton, love the new method, but was hoping to get an educated response.

Besides the Triton concept of filtration(fuge), testing(ICP) and corrective dosing of needed elements, what are the differences when it comes to chemistry from the balling method, so common in Europe?

It's the balling method plus some. Before ICP testing came into existence, you added the 3 major elements in the tank, used your droplet test kit and called it good enough. ICP is not only more accurate then hobby grade test kits, but gives you the opportunity to test and add (or remove), not just the 3 we used to test for (ca,mg, and alk) but 36 elements total. With this technology going into the future I believe we can not only keep things alive in captivity that we weren't able to previously, but learn and eventually get better growth and coloration then the corals could have achieved in nature alone.

how can i determine my turnover??? do i need to put a pump in my refugium?

you can use a head pressure flow chart to calculate what your pump is putting out or you can buy one of these:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-flow-sensor-fs100-neptune-systems.html

 

[bdejong1112o]

I am starting up a new 220gallon tank and have been reading about the triton method and it looks like the right choice for me.

One question is about using a carbon and gfo reactor in the return section of my sump. I believe that it was already stated carbon was ok but is gfo ok or even necessary?

 

[Scott.h]

I am starting up a new 220gallon tank and have been reading about the triton method and it looks like the right choice for me.

One question is about using a carbon and gfo reactor in the return section of my sump. I believe that it was already stated carbon was ok but is gfo ok or even necessary?

If you need it use it. It's ok. I don't at all because I don't need it. For me gfo throws an n and p unbalance the corals don't like, even at small amounts. Just make sure you don't suck the system too low.

 

[Tim@Triton]

Good GFO/AL99 can also remove other unwanted elements such as Barium and Silicates from the water.

 

[Ditto]

If you go with this method does this mean your Calcium Reactor is replaced with the chemical solution?

And the 10x flow, which is not an issue to achieve in my sump, does that mean also my Skimmer needs to be rated also for the 10x flow now also?

 

[Tim@Triton]

Yes you can replace your CaRx with these dosing solutions, you can also run them alongside the CaRx if you want to run a modified system and run at 50/50.

 

[meinekebob]

Thinking of switching over to the triton method. switched my sup around growing marco's and mangroves before skimmer. right now i am dosing no3po4. what would i need to do to switch over? test first? cut back on the no3po4 and let the fuge grow. don't want to just stop all together dosing. or should i use core 7 for other methods and gradually ween down the no3po4. or is it safe to run core7 other methos with red seas product.
thanks

 

[deedubz]

I just lost an hour of my life that I'll never get back. For that I'm grateful. This sounds like it's right up my alley and am seriously considering doing this with my next tank. Thank everyone who asked and answered questions

 

[Tim@Triton]

Thinking of switching over to the triton method. switched my sup around growing marco's and mangroves before skimmer. right now i am dosing no3po4. what would i need to do to switch over? test first? cut back on the no3po4 and let the fuge grow. don't want to just stop all together dosing. or should i use core 7 for other methods and gradually ween down the no3po4. or is it safe to run core7 other methos with red seas product.
thanks

You can run Core7 with carbon dosing alongside no problem, however if you are planning on reducing or stopping water changes then I would recommend changing your carbon source from NoPox over to Vodka or Vinegar as NoPox is not designed to work with zero water change systems and unwanted elements will accumulate over time.

 

[Scott.h]

I recently converted another system over to triton. This system, I feel, will really test the limits. I've been dosing kalk saturated vinegar to combat the ph swing from the amount of vinegar. I'm not sure how it will all play out both in nutrients or my next triton test. Time will tell, but here's what I have going:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...trate-system-converted-to-full-triton.325865/

 

[meinekebob]

Thanks, Should i start by switching over to vinegar from NoPox and use core7 for other methods, or full triton to start? And is there anything in the Other methods core 7 to help the fuge grow? And if i am currently dosing 10ml of NoPox, anyone know what a good starting point for the vinegar dose would be? Last, maybe stupid but, what type of vinegar do most use.
Thanks

 

[Scott.h]

Thanks, Should i start by switching over to vinegar from NoPox and use core7 for other methods, or full triton to start? And is there anything in the Other methods core 7 to help the fuge grow? And if i am currently dosing 10ml of NoPox, anyone know what a good starting point for the vinegar dose would be? Last, maybe stupid but, what type of vinegar do most use.
Thanks

Use "other methods" if the fuge is small to standards or the tank it immature. "Full" has added macro elements, yes. Use distilled plain food grade vinegar from the grocery store. I've never used nopox so I'm not sure how potent it is. I don't think you'd have a problem starting at 10ml vinegar. With no pox being (I believe a blend) you'll probably end up upping the dose of 10.

 

[meinekebob]

Thanks, i'll start at 10. and see where it goes. Seems safer then nopox and i'd like to get away from water changes. fuge is over 1/2 the space in a 20gallon long tank, made into first part of sump, just need to be stocked a little more with macro's, on a 75gallon display. i think that's enough for the full method. all the corals and fish are happy now, just don't want to do anything drastic that might upset them. its been up for a while. probably going to start with th Other methods for 1st. and see how it goes. then hopefully switch over to full method. Make sense?

 

[Scott.h]

Thanks, i'll start at 10. and see where it goes. Seems safer then nopox and i'd like to get away from water changes. fuge is over 1/2 the space in a 20gallon long tank, made into first part of sump, just need to be stocked a little more with macro's, on a 75gallon display. i think that's enough for the full method. all the corals and fish are happy now, just don't want to do anything drastic that might upset them. its been up for a while. probably going to start with th Other methods for 1st. and see how it goes. then hopefully switch over to full method. Make sense?

Sounds like a good plan. If you are worried you can transition slow between your two part, but honestly you can switch cold turkey. Just test alk every day to make sure there isn't a swing as you go.

 

[Will Milberger]

[QUOTE="When I was young, riding my Harley, I met a man who had cancer in a bar. He said something to me that I try not to forget... "best advice I can give you is don't give no advice". This is one of them times where I can't help myself.[/QUOTE]

That's weird. The guy I met said God is great. Beer is good and people are crazy. :)

 

[Will Milberger]

Once you have consumption, if you are not consuming elements then there is no point adding them.

Generally once the cycle is complete and you have added some of your first hardy corals.

What would be some hardy corals?

 

[meinekebob]

Well switched over to vinegar to start. waiting for the core7 to come in. hopefully be an easy switch.

 

[action21]

Purchased and watched mrsaltwatertank Virtual Tank Build online 20 hour course. Got hooked and Bought an established 200 gal Saltwater tank with 125lbs of live rock and some corals and six fish. 40 gal sump - wasn't happy with setup of 11.5" drain area, 11.5" skimmer area(barely fit) and 18" for Return pump areas. While researching I came upon the Triton Method. Recently purchased the Triton44 and bought some algae from LFS. It is a small amount right now but I have a good grow light on it and have just started dosing the Triton Core7. All my readings were good before dosing alk was at 8. Used 15ml of each solution based on 200 gal of water and my Alk rose to 10. Today I will lower dose to 13 and see how it does as recommended. I have my first test kit in hand - should I wait for a week of dosing Core7 before taking sample and sending in or is this something I should do immediately? Thanks

 

[Scott.h]

Purchased and watched mrsaltwatertank Virtual Tank Build online 20 hour course. Got hooked and Bought an established 200 gal Saltwater tank with 125lbs of live rock and some corals and six fish. 40 gal sump - wasn't happy with setup of 11.5" drain area, 11.5" skimmer area(barely fit) and 18" for Return pump areas. While researching I came upon the Triton Method. Recently purchased the Triton44 and bought some algae from LFS. It is a small amount right now but I have a good grow light on it and have just started dosing the Triton Core7. All my readings were good before dosing alk was at 8. Used 15ml of each solution based on 200 gal of water and my Alk rose to 10. Today I will lower dose to 13 and see how it does as recommended. I have my first test kit in hand - should I wait for a week of dosing Core7 before taking sample and sending in or is this something I should do immediately? Thanks

If your alk went from 8 to 10 don't add more. Let it fall naturally until it's back to 8. It sounds like it will probably take a few days. Depending on your coral demand it sounds like you should start dosing a much lower amount. Try 5 ml a day (after it falls back down) and see what that gets you. You might end up testing 2x a day until you get it dialed in. Remember to test the same time each day too, as it can fluctuate.

As far as the triton testing, as soon as you feel the system is stable you can send in a sample.

 

[TbyZ]

Good GFO/AL99 can also remove other unwanted elements such as Barium and Silicates from the water.

Hi Tim at Triton.
No regular water changes are a main feature of various methods of maintaining a reef aquarium, including Triton
Some would argue that toxic disolved organics build up to a level that is detrimental to tank occupants, and, if this is true, they claim its because >>> water changes are the only method to reduce them <<< .

I don't necessarily believe >toxic organics< remain toxic indefinately, or that they aren't removed by skimming, activated carbon, purigen, or detoxified by ozone, for example.

I would be extremely interested in reading your opinion on this matter based on your experience?