New Trident - readings appear impossible

[r21]

Just got a Trident today and set it up, however the readings seem improbable possibly impossible from a chemistry perspective. Dkh is being measured at 6.6, I have a Hanna checker which reads the calibration vials perfectly, and that gives me 7.9 on my water. Calcium is showing as 575 and Mg at 1384. I know it can take a while to settle down but isnt a dKH of 6.6 and Ca of 575ppm impossible?

 

[TheHarold]

Just got a Trident today and set it up, however the readings seem improbable possibly impossible from a chemistry perspective. Dkh is being measured at 6.6, I have a Hanna checker which reads the calibration vials perfectly, and that gives me 7.9 on my water. Calcium is showing as 575 and Mg at 1384. I know it can take a while to settle down but isnt a dKH of 6.6 and Ca of 575ppm impossible?

It hasn’t been calibrated yet, there is no reason to panic. Follow the instructions if you want good results :).

After it runs for a day or two of it running, calibrate.

 

[Topekoms]

Let it run for at least 2 weeks before you calibrate it also make sure there isn't any air bubbles in the sensors.

 

[TheHarold]

Let it run for at least 2 weeks before you calibrate it also make sure there isn't any air bubbles in the sensors.

No need for 2 weeks. That’s like 1/4 of the reagent where you will have inaccurate results, totally defeating the purpose of trident controlled dosing. The instructions suggestion of 2 days is more than enough.

 

[SifuMemphis]

I thought the bundle said the unit comes pre-calibrated?

 

[Topekoms]

No need for 2 weeks. That’s like 1/4 of the reagent where you will have inaccurate results, totally defeating the purpose of trident controlled dosing. The instructions suggestion of 2 days is more than enough.

If you read the instructions from Neptune they state to give a 2 week break in before you calibrate due to it is factory calibrated.

 

[TheHarold]

If you read the instructions from Neptune they state to give a 2 week break in before you calibrate due to it is factory calibrated.

Wherever I read, I see 48 hours. Where do you see 2 weeks?

48 hours is mentioned in the main trident instructions, the trident calibration instructions, and the trident FAQ.

https://www.neptunesystems.com/getstarted/trident/faq/

https://www.neptunesystems.com/getstarted/trident/calibration/

Get Started | Trident Installation

Trident Installation: Preface This guide will illustrate how to physically install the Trident. The guide below will walk through the different steps illustrated on the Get Started card included with your Neptune Systems Trident, but the recommended method is to use the Trident Initial Setup...

www.neptunesystems.com

 

[Miller535]

It is possible to have low alk and high calcium if that is what you mean. With that said a dKh of 6.6 is way too acidic for saltwater to become imo. Likely it is just a calibration issue with the trident.

 

[r21]

thanks for the replies, I'll give it two days and try calibrating as that is what the instructions say. I just didnt think it was possible chemically possible to have low alk with high calcium. I'll update this thread in couple of days after its been calibrated. I'm not worried I trust the Hanna, that's what I've been using for a year and I believe the Alk is much closer to 8 than trident is currently saying.

 

[r21]

After waiting 4 days to let the Trident settle, I calibrated the device using the supplied solution. Following calibration the results did change for Ca and Mg, Ca dropped around 100, Mg rose about 40; Alk didn't change.

Still concerned why I wasn't getting a reading close to the Hanna for Alk I tested the Trident calibration solution with the Hanna. The calibration fluid had a Alk of 8.5, Hanna read this at 9.1 at 0.6 closer than the 1.3 difference between my tank water tests using Hanna and Trident. I decided to buy new Hanna reagent to see if that was impacting the results - the result, Hanna now reads tank at 6.6 Alk so identical to Trident and I do have a low Alk that I'm now slowing raising back to the 8 I thought I was at.

 

[JohnnyBeagle]

I let my trident run a week before calibrating it and it matches my Hanna exactly. Hanna barely gets used now

Next I'll buy a DOS and have trident control it. Pretty happy with the trident so far other than the cost of the 2 month reagents because the 6 month is unavailable

 

[GlassMunky]

It is possible to have low alk and high calcium if that is what you mean. With that said a dKh of 6.6 is way too acidic for saltwater to become imo. Likely it is just a calibration issue with the trident.

I’ve got a tank with an ALK of 5 and has been for months, all corals are fine.
it is possible

 

[SPSlover]

Yeah I would run with it and it may shake out in the next calibration when you refill. I mean if you take percentage error on both devices and add those then your not too far away. I mean lets face it i think the overall consistancy on the results will be much closer on the machine than by a person. Take in mind all the points of error on just checking with typical instruments. Hanna definitely has taken away the eyeball % error but you still have the water and reagent volume. All with possible compounding % errors. So Hanna has a +-5% before any human errors and the Trident has a +-0.05dkh error (much tighter). I know that doesn't really answer anything but I always enjoy adding a little perspective.

 

[CrunchyBananas]

It is possible to have low alk and high calcium if that is what you mean. With that said a dKh of 6.6 is way too acidic for saltwater to become imo. Likely it is just a calibration issue with the trident.

I've maintained a couple mixed reef tanks at 5-6 dKH for 2 years, including SPS, but yes it's just likely a calibration issue with the Trident.

 

[TheHarold]

I've maintained a couple mixed reef tanks at 5-6 dKH for 2 years, including SPS, but yes it's just likely a calibration issue with the Trident.

When the OP bought new Hanna calibration fluid, the readings matched the trident. So I don’t think it’s a Trident calibration issue- just an old Hanna reagent issue that led the OP to believe the Alk was higher.