Trident troubleshooting

[jimbosreef]

Hello all,
I’ve done quite a bit of trouble shooting, and have watched numerous videos. Yet, I can’t figure out how to fix the issue I’m having with my trident.

I have swapped solutions to new vials, I am trying to calibrate the trident with the solution provided. While trying to perform this task, the trident will eventually display “no water sample” I have removed the tubing, cleared any potential blockage, yet I can’t get it perform the calibration.

Can anyone lend some insight on how to resolve this issue

TIA

 

[Biokabe]

Is this a brand-new Trident, or one that you've had for a while?

 

[jimbosreef]

Is this a brand-new Trident, or one that you've had for a while?

Had for a while

 

[Biokabe]

It may just need to be serviced, I eventually had to send my Trident in after I'd had it for a few years. Neptune recommends sending it in every two years, which... is overkill, in my opinion, but eventually something in the guts of the machine does wear out. I had the same problem where eventually I just couldn't get a water sample, and ultimately sending it in was the only solution.

If you haven't already tried it, do the full gamut of troubleshoots - sounds like you've already flushed out both the external and internal hoses. Restart the Trident. If that hasn't fixed it, then power cycle the Trident. If that doesn't fix it, do a factory reset. And if that doesn't fix it, get in touch with Neptune to set up a Trident service.

 

[areefer01]

A couple things to look at if you have not already.

Are you using the sample line filter? If so, make sure it is facing the right direction. Image below for reference. Note I have had mine get clogged up. I removed it and I was back to normal. I keep a spare now as my sump area can be a bit messy. You can also remove it if you are using it to remove it from the equation of trouble shooting.

Clearing the sample line. You can disconnect the sample line, rinse the end off, and try to blow through it. If air is not coming out soak it in warm water and try again. If you have a small syringe, plastic, not metal, you can try to push water though it. The goal in both of these suggestions is to make sure water is passing through the line.

Lastly, after checking filter and sample line, you can select the Trident gear icon, select trident on the bottom, then the PRIME drop down, and select sample. Send to Fusion. Take a small light and check the test chamber, cuvette, and make sure it is filling up with water.

If none of these work I would encourage you to submit a ticket to Neptune to get in their queue. You will need the SN off the tray or under the tray (i forget which). You can list the 3 or 4 items above as steps you have already looked at and provide them with the results. After you prime sample, take a photo and attach that.

Oh - make sure the sample line is not pinched or kinked.

So a couple things to check if you haven't already done so.


Sample line arrow, direction:

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Aside from flushing the hoses mentioned above, the manifold (black disc that all hoses connect to) often gets clogged. I would first verify that the vial is filling and emptying by running a manual test and watching with the little cover off to expose the vial.

If the vial isn’t filling, I’d flush the manifold if you’re comfortable with that. Sometimes the pinch valves go bad as well. I’ve heard that you can sometimes see rust staining. As mentioned above, it might be time for service. They have a diy service kit, you have to file a service request requesting it and they will send you a payment link. They also have an advance exchange program where they send you out a refurb unit with a couple months of reagent in a box with a return label to ship yours after you swap them. That works out pretty well especially as the diy kit does not include the manifold piece. If you go that route, you can strip some parts off yours before sending it in. I like to keep the manifold, vial, stirrrer, pump head, and the hoses and tubes for the reagents. They replace all that anyway as part of the service. Some people have said that they even keep the pinch valves but I haven’t tried that yet.

On a side note, a lot of us don’t bother with the cal solution as it’s been an issue. We just test with our manual test kits and calibrate to the values we get from the tank.

Oh, if you do a factory reset, or restart, you won’t be able to calibrate until the system has run for x amount of time (somewhere between 3-5 days if I remember right).

 

[Reeferbadness]

I've had 2 Trident's for 4+ years now - and have had this problem many times. First, check your sample line - make sure it's not blocked and connected to the back of the Trident. If this is ok, you can go to phase 2 - taking apart your trident and checking that the line is connected to the intake - on the inside of the chamber. I've had the sample line + the reagent lines come out several times. It's actually pretty easy to take apart and not too complicated to see what's going on. There are several good videos on how to do this. Best of luck - very frustrating i know.

 

[jimbosreef]

Truly appreciate all the responses. I will dig further into some troubleshooting and then reach out to Neptune after I’ve excused all my options. Thankyou all so much

 

[jimbosreef]

Has anyone tried this?

Trident DIY Service Kit

Neptune Systems recommends, but does not require, that your Trident receives a preventative service between 24-36 months of operation. It’s possible some Tridents will need to be serviced before this recommended service interval, but that would be the exception and not very common. The Trident...

reefgoods.com

 

[mmorrison55]

So you are just trying to calibrate your trident? But having issues getting the sample to read?

I seem to recall the sample had to be at a specific height in relation to the trident.

Also, why don’t yiu just calibrate to your sump/test water? I think that’s what most people do. Get a reliable test kit like a Hannah checker and get readings from your sump:then use those #’s as your calibration solution numbers.

That assuming you are not getting the same error when pulling a sample from your sump.

The last issues I kept getting were test b and test c failed. I tried everything, and it ended up being I needed new reagent.

Good luck. It seems the trident is great when it works, but it can be a bear to work through these issues when they arise.

 

[areefer01]

So you are just trying to calibrate your trident? But having issues getting the sample to read?

I seem to recall the sample had to be at a specific height in relation to the trident.

Also, why don’t yiu just calibrate to your sump/test water? I think that’s what most people do. Get a reliable test kit like a Hannah checker and get readings from your sump:then use those #’s as your calibration solution numbers.

That assuming you are not getting the same error when pulling a sample from your sump.

The last issues I kept getting were test b and test c failed. I tried everything, and it ended up being I needed new reagent.

Good luck. It seems the trident is great when it works, but it can be a bear to work through these issues when they arise.

They are saying they are getting no water sample error. So the basics first - check the sample line is in the calibration bottle properly, not pinched, near the bottom. Make sure the filter is not installed (key - it must be removed for calibration). The steps we have mentioned earlier.

Even if you run the calibration using your own solution or manual test results you still need the sample line in the sump, water. In fact if you are calibrating using manual test method than I would strongly suggest that you collect a pint of water to do both manual tests and place the trident sample line in the same water used so everything is using the same source.

Anyway - they are getting a sample error which is what they are looking at.

 

[areefer01]

Has anyone tried this?

Trident DIY Service Kit

Neptune Systems recommends, but does not require, that your Trident receives a preventative service between 24-36 months of operation. It’s possible some Tridents will need to be serviced before this recommended service interval, but that would be the exception and not very common. The Trident...

reefgoods.com

This is the DIY service option. If you are handy, can follow directions (video based), it is not a bad option. The send in yours, let Neptune service, and they return it includes a 2 month reagent and 6 month warranty. It is 180 I think. Just another option.

Submit a ticket though first to get everything sorted.

 

[jimbosreef]

Has anyone tried this?

Trident DIY Service Kit

Neptune Systems recommends, but does not require, that your Trident receives a preventative service between 24-36 months of operation. It’s possible some Tridents will need to be serviced before this recommended service interval, but that would be the exception and not very common. The Trident...

reefgoods.com

This is the DIY service option. If you are handy, can follow directions (video based), it is not a bad option. The send in yours, let Neptune service, and they return it includes a 2 month reagent and 6 month warranty. It is 180 I think. Just another option.

Submit a ticket though first to get everything sorted.

What’s the turnaround when sending in a trident?

 

[Reeferbadness]

a

What’s the turnaround when sending in a trident?

Turn around is usually 7 - 10 days. They send you a replacement (if under warranty or you have the replacement plan) and you just send yours back when the replacement arrives with a shipping label.

 

[jimbosreef]

a

What’s the turnaround when sending in a trident?

Turn around is usually 7 - 10 days. They send you a replacement (if under warranty or you have the replacement plan) and you just send yours back when the replacement arrives with a shipping label.

Thanks for the info

 

[saltcreep74]

It may just need to be serviced, I eventually had to send my Trident in after I'd had it for a few years. Neptune recommends sending it in every two years, which... is overkill, in my opinion, but eventually something in the guts of the machine does wear out. I had the same problem where eventually I just couldn't get a water sample, and ultimately sending it in was the only solution.

If you haven't already tried it, do the full gamut of troubleshoots - sounds like you've already flushed out both the external and internal hoses. Restart the Trident. If that hasn't fixed it, then power cycle the Trident. If that doesn't fix it, do a factory reset. And if that doesn't fix it, get in touch with Neptune to set up a Trident service.

agree with Biokabe...after about an hour of troubleshooting and watching numerous videos, I ended up sending it in for service. It turns out there was an issue with the board and no amount of troubleshooting would have fixed it.

I had to wait a couple weeks but when I got the unit back it was good as new. Plus I received 2 month regeant kit and new tubes and inline filter.

Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger.