Thinking about a Trident and NP - programming questions

[PPBlimpy]

I am setting up a new tank and have an Apex A2 system installed. Brain, eb832, dos, Fmm with ATO

Goal for the tank is SPS dominant with some LPS.

Total system volume is approximately 60G.

This will be a completely different type of tank then I am used to. I have never had a tank under 75G for more then a month. The 75 was a mixed reef, mostly softies and some LPS. Ran high nutrients and never tested for anything other then Nitrates and Phos. I did regular water changes and dosed Kalk and all went really well. Also have had great success with running ATS and that is where this all came from. In my experience ATS will pull Nitrates faster then Phos. So that is a concern.

I am looking at the Trident and NP to help automate things further.

Here is the questions finally! Having a hard time explaining what I am wanting to do.

With the NP, once test results come in can the apex take the results of the Phos test and turn on and off the Ats lights?

example and I am completely pulling numbers out of thin air- just want to know if possible.

Default setting ATS Lights runs only 4 hours a day :example- 10pm -> 2am.
Phos results 0.01-.05 Defaults to Default light cycle @ 4 hours
Phos results .051-.08 turns on the lights for 8 hours a day- 8pm -> 4am
Phos results .081.-10 turns the lights on for 12 hours a day- 7pm - 7am

Mostly just curious. I am hoping to not have nutrient issues. looking at adding daily AWC and realistically I think that will keep everything in check.

or am I wasting time and money on the NP since I have plans for daily AWC and should just go Trident to make sure alk and cal stay steady and hand test nitrate and phos regularly?

 

[mypocketreef]

I am setting up a new tank and have an Apex A2 system installed. Brain, eb832, dos, Fmm with ATO

Goal for the tank is SPS dominant with some LPS.

Total system volume is approximately 60G.

This will be a completely different type of tank then I am used to. I have never had a tank under 75G for more then a month. The 75 was a mixed reef, mostly softies and some LPS. Ran high nutrients and never tested for anything other then Nitrates and Phos. I did regular water changes and dosed Kalk and all went really well. Also have had great success with running ATS and that is where this all came from. In my experience ATS will pull Nitrates faster then Phos. So that is a concern.

I am looking at the Trident and NP to help automate things further.

Here is the questions finally! Having a hard time explaining what I am wanting to do.

With the NP, once test results come in can the apex take the results of the Phos test and turn on and off the Ats lights?

example and I am completely pulling numbers out of thin air- just want to know if possible.

Default setting ATS Lights runs only 4 hours a day :example- 10pm -> 2am.
Phos results 0.01-.05 Defaults to Default light cycle @ 4 hours
Phos results .051-.08 turns on the lights for 8 hours a day- 8pm -> 4am
Phos results .081.-10 turns the lights on for 12 hours a day- 7pm - 7am

Mostly just curious. I am hoping to not have nutrient issues. looking at adding daily AWC and realistically I think that will keep everything in check.

or am I wasting time and money on the NP since I have plans for daily AWC and should just go Trident to make sure alk and cal stay steady and hand test nitrate and phos regularly?

I highly recommend testing Nitrate and phosphate by hand, as I know of issues with accuracy with this system in the past. It depends how much trust you have in the system. I would assume you could always do both, but I would at least also test by hand to make sure everything is right.

 

[BryanM]

I would do more research, it seems these units are prone to failing, and I would avoid.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have seen the mixed reviews. Some love it, others it doesn't work from day one. $1200+ for both units is a hard pill to swallow.

Tank is still not setup so I have lots of time. Will be doing AWC as soon as the cycle finishes and really thinking between the AWC and the ATS I should be good to test manually and keep things in check. I just like the convivence of looking at my phone and seeing where things are sitting.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I highly recommend testing Nitrate and phosphate by hand, as I know of issues with accuracy with this system in the past. It depends how much trust you have in the system. I would assume you could always do both, but I would at least also test by hand to make sure everything is right.

I would still test by hand every once in a while, especially while the tank is young. Have a whole slew of hannah testers.