Trident FAQ

[Zaffor]

I test alk every 2-3 days currently.
Stability is king.
I too am patiently waiting...

 

[mitch91175]

So just imagine a situation where you had a 1 dkh swing in 24 hours but were doing bi-weekly or weekly testing. While 1 dkh shift in 24 hours is a lot and will stress sensitive corals you can typically come back from that if continued decline is stopped quickly. To stop alk from declining further that requires a higher dose, let alone start increase it. So yes, while rapidly correcting is no good either, you at least need to put a floor in quick in these situations with a higher alk dose before 1 dkh become 2 and so on. Running at 8 dkh I don't have a ton of room for things to decline quickly.

However, with something like the trident testing 4x per day we'll be able to catch these swings before they get anywhere near swings of the 1 dkh magnitude.

What you mentioned above is exact what an alkalinity controller (not monitor) will accomplish. I know that people are against this and that, but when you have one you will understand the beauty of the device (specially a working one). Those 1dkh alk swings happen more frequently than some expect. Get something to measure during the day and you'll see. Obviously every tank will have different consumption rates for a variety of reasons, but it's definitely beneficial to see what is going on.

 

[mitch91175]

While all I know is that my tank requires daily alk testing at this point (I test extensively including monthly ICP so I can assure you nothing is "wrong"), I don't doubt mature tanks of others do not.

But curious what folks like @bubbaque or @FarmerTy might have to say on frequency of alk testing. You guys both have beautiful SPS tanks - how often do you test alk?

I know @FarmerTy has an Alkatronic so I'd imagine that he is at a minimum testing daily (numerous times a day).

 

[CMO]

What you mentioned above is exact what an alkalinity controller (not monitor) will accomplish. I know that people are against this and that, but when you have one you will understand the beauty of the device (specially a working one). Those 1dkh alk swings happen more frequently than some expect. Get something to measure during the day and you'll see. Obviously every tank will have different consumption rates for a variety of reasons, but it's definitely beneficial to see what is going on.

Maybe someday I'll trust a controller but im just not comfortable with the idea yet. I will use it as a monitor only and manually adjust dose until more history is available with controller reliability. When running Triton core 7 all 4 solutions need adjusted equally with any change. Can any of the controllers manage 4 solutions?

 

[mitch91175]

Maybe someday I'll trust a controller but im just not comfortable with the idea yet. I will use it as a monitor only and manually adjust dose until more history is available with controller reliability. When running Triton core 7 all 4 solutions need adjusted equally with any change. Can any of the controllers manage 4 solutions?

The Dosetronic that is coming out I think will do what you need with the Triton method. It'll work with the Alkatronic. You should check out what they are doing and (no offense ;)) not be a Neptune homer (not implying that you are just in general). I like the Alkatronic but I run a CaRx so on the fence about the Dosetronic right now, but I bet it'll be a nice unit.

 

[CMO]

Even my intraday swings are a bit larger than I'd like. Here is a day where I did 4 tests in one day before and after my alk dose cycles to see the peaks and troughs.

I dose alk every 3 hours over a 2.5 hour interval and get swings as large as 0.4 dkh during the cycle.

 

[ShadowR55]

I have the Alkatronic doing tests every 2 hours and notice my DKH was Peaking at night and dropping during the day. A lot of people say to dose at night to keep your PH up and more stable but now I know that thought process is not correct. I was dosing triton evenly over 24hrs with my two DOS units, now it’s adjusted to where 80% of the dosing is done during the day and 20% at night. DKH is way more stable now.

 

[roberthu526]

I have the Alkatronic doing tests every 2 hours and notice my DKH was Peaking at night and dropping during the day. A lot of people say to dose at night to keep your PH up and more stable but now I know that thought process is not correct. I was dosing triton evenly over 24hrs with my two DOS units, now it’s adjusted to where 80% of the dosing is done during the day and 20% at night. DKH is way more stable now.

This is good to know. Did you get faster growth or better color after the adjustment?

 

[rcmike]

I have the Alkatronic doing tests every 2 hours and notice my DKH was Peaking at night and dropping during the day. A lot of people say to dose at night to keep your PH up and more stable but now I know that thought process is not correct. I was dosing triton evenly over 24hrs with my two DOS units, now it’s adjusted to where 80% of the dosing is done during the day and 20% at night. DKH is way more stable now.

Interesting but it makes sense. No photosynthesis at night so the coral isn't growing and consuming alkalinity. I might try to adjust my dosing to mostly during the day.

 

[emvanburen]

I gave up on waiting for Trident and frankly, was excited about the direct dialogue w Alkatronic. I am now figuring out my tank’s alk pattern. I will probably shift dosing more towards the day to match consumption. I think I can use the alk reading to stop DOS dosing if it goes high, and the Alkatronic to supplement if it goes low and then adjust the base dose. Sad to be outside of Fusion but we are traveling for the holidays...

 

[ShadowR55]

This is good to know. Did you get faster growth or better color after the adjustment?

I added T5 lights shortly before alkatronic to my Hydra26HD’s and then also added a CO2 scrubber so I don’t know exactly what fueled the growth and coloration, I’m thinking mostly the CO2 scrubber with an average PH of 8.2 now. But I’m sure the stable alkalinity helped the corals vs the .5-.8 swing I was having daily.

 

[ShadowR55]

I gave up on waiting for Trident and frankly, was excited about the direct dialogue w Alkatronic. I am now figuring out my tank’s alk pattern. I will probably shift dosing more towards the day to match consumption. I think I can use the alk reading to stop DOS dosing if it goes high, and the Alkatronic to supplement if it goes low and then adjust the base dose. Sad to be outside of Fusion but we are traveling for the holidays...

I run a calcium reactor with the Kamoer pump and also Triton. I have my calcium reactor programmed to shut off when my alk gets to a certain level. The good thing is the Alkatronic comes with a Bluetooth plug and can do the same without a controller. Honestly can’t wait for the dosetronic to get released because it will automatically adjust dosing according to the Alkatronic readings.

 

[CMO]

I added T5 lights shortly before alkatronic to my Hydra26HD’s and then also added a CO2 scrubber so I don’t know exactly what fueled the growth and coloration, I’m thinking mostly the CO2 scrubber with an average PH of 8.2 now. But I’m sure the stable alkalinity helped the corals vs the .5-.8 swing I was having daily

I run a co2 reactor as well which definitely has a noticeable impact on my alk consumption so presumably growth as well.

 

[DarthSimon]

I also run a calcium reactor, and look forward to the Trident giving more data that I can use and get further control of my numbers...

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Ok so I'm search lazy, can the aka tropic talk to the apex somehow?

Yes it can be connected with a BNC cable. I plan to do so, but haven't yet.

 

[thom_smith]

Based on the Apex PM1 alkalinity readings is anybody controlling their Trident Core 7 dosing? IF dKH > 8.5 Then OFF on the Dos side? Can't wait for Dosetronic dynamic dosing feedback.

 

[justingraham]

Based on the Apex PM1 alkalinity readings is anybody controlling their Trident Core 7 dosing? IF dKH > 8.5 Then OFF on the Dos side? Can't wait for Dosetronic dynamic dosing feedback.

No I don’t I mean I guess u can but it’s better to just monitor in my opinion
Everything is a gradual incline or decline in dkh when you tank is stable I have found out
Like when u get to 8.5 yesterday u were at 8.48 but if you have that shut off the Dos bad things could happen esp if it’s not testing every hour

 

[Terence]

Guys let’s try and keep this thread as on-topic as possible. The Trident FAQ and not the general Alk-testing and dosing discussion.

We are moving this product forward more and more every day. I would like to be able to tell you all the itty bitty details but that’s just not possible.

Very soon though I anticipate some new news will be released.

 

[Radman73]

Guys let’s try and keep this thread as on-topic as possible. The Trident FAQ and not the general Alk-testing and dosing discussion.

We are moving this product forward more and more every day. I would like to be able to tell you all the itty bitty details but that’s just not possible.

Very soon though I anticipate some new news will be released.

Thank you, I think most of us are still patiently waiting :).

 

[stacksoner]

Guys let’s try and keep this thread as on-topic as possible. The Trident FAQ and not the general Alk-testing and dosing discussion.

We are moving this product forward more and more every day. I would like to be able to tell you all the itty bitty details but that’s just not possible.

Very soon though I anticipate some new news will be released.

Is there an updated release date? Before/after Q2 2019?