Who owns a Trident and would you buy one again? (1 Viewer)

[Reefahholic]

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. One reefer will say its the best thing on earth while another will say the hate it. I've heard this from both veterans and newbies alike.

If you "don't" like your trident, what will you be buying next? I really hate the fact that they don't let you adjust less than 4x a day because they want you to use up all your reagent.

I really want to buy a tester this go around, but most people that have them still cross-check with other test kits. Is it really worth it? I think so if the data is accurate most of the time.

Let me know your thoughts and please rant if you like. LOL.

 

[TX_Punisher]

You can switch it to manual mode and test when you want. Just have to press the “start test” button and chose ”combined” or “alkalinity” only.

 

[Reefahholic]

You can switch it to manual mode and test when you want. Just have to press the “start test” button and chose ”combined” or “alkalinity” only.

Oh Ok, didn't know that. So otherwise is it 4x a day. Is that correct?

 

[TX_Punisher]

4x for alk, 2x for cal/mag minimum in auto mode.

12a all 3
6a alk
12p all 3
6p alk

 

[soymilk]

Its all relative. the cost of reagents isn't a huge concern. It can actually be cheaper than testing manually.


Red sea calc pro test $35 for 75 tests. ( $.46 per test )
Hanna Alk test - $9 for 25 tests ( $.36 cents per test )
Aqua Forest AF Magnesium Test kit $18 ($.30 cents per test )


It would cost $177.6 in normal test kits if you were to test to the same 4x ALK, 2x Calc, 2x Mag schedule for 2 months as opposed to 33 bucks for to run the trident. Lets do the math the other way around. The 6 month pack cost 99 dollars. So $16.5 a month. Even if you were to do the Hanna Alk test twice a day for a month, the hanna would end up costing at least $18 in reagents.

The trident isn't perfect, but its good enough for me. I wish it wasn't built like a 20 dollar kids toy but at the end of the day it still works for what im trying to do with it. We either don't test as often as we should, or we spend more than what the trident cost in reagents in test kits per year. Either way the trident wins.

 

[Reefahholic]

Its all relative. the cost of reagents isn't a huge concern. It can actually be cheaper than testing manually.


Red sea calc pro test $35 for 75 tests. ( $.46 per test )
Hanna Alk test - $9 for 25 tests ( $.36 cents per test )
Aqua Forest AF Magnesium Test kit $18 ($.30 cents per test )


It would cost $177.6 in normal test kits if you were to test to the same 4x ALK, 2x Calc, 2x Mag schedule for 2 months as opposed to 33 bucks for to run the trident. Lets do the math the other way around. The 6 month pack cost 99 dollars. So $16.5 a month. Even if you were to do the Hanna Alk test twice a day for a month, the hanna would end up costing at least $18 in reagents.

The trident isn't perfect, but its good enough for me. I wish it wasn't built like a 20 dollar kids toy but at the end of the day it still works for what im trying to do with it. We either don't test as often as we should, or we spend more than what the trident cost in reagents in test kits per year. Either way the trident wins.

So it comes out cheaper or the same for testing. Sounds like it's working well for you. Would you buy it again?

How bout you TX_Punisher? Buy it again?

 

[RR-MAN]

I would definitely buy a trident again. Trident and apex make life so much easier.

 

[Reefahholic]

I would definitely buy a trident again. Trident and apex make life so much easier.

I gotta get one then.

 

[gregg]

The trident takes that apex to a new level, i got one of the very first ones released and it hasnt failed me yet.

 

[Reefahholic]

Some reefers on the Live stream tonight were complaining about Calcium being off by 100ppm as well as other elements and that they make you test too much.

A few guys were saying they were glad to see it go.

I always feel like some elements don't need to be tested, but maybe twice a week or once a month. While Alk maybe 1-2 times daily (max for me), but you could easily go longer with a reactor.

So for $39 a year....the Alkatronic makes a lot of sense.

Not big on subscriptions. Do they make you get a subscription with the Trident?

I definitely trust most of you guys opinions, because I know a lot of you have been reefing a long time.

 

[Cody]

It’s one of the best pieces of equipment I own. I will be adding a second one to my apex soon for my secondary system.

 

[Reefahholic]

It’s one of the best pieces of equipment I own. I will be adding a second one to my apex soon for my secondary system.

Good to hear. I'll definitely be thinking about it for sure or the Alkatronic.

 

[steveb]

Overall I like it but think there is room for improvement. I did have to disassemble it when I first set it up to reattach a hose.

Improvements
1) I hate the shape of it.
2) If/When you need to clean the test vial its a PITA, wish that was accessible from the front.

I like the ease of use and would purchase another.

 

[soymilk]

So it comes out cheaper or the same for testing. Sounds like it's working well for you. Would you buy it again?

How bout you TX_Punisher? Buy it again?

Right now I would buy again. I remember you love data, if anything its an abundance of data.

 

[TX_Punisher]

I just had mine rebuilt after 2 years of service. Some may go longer but I was getting inconsistent readings from test-to-test. Once the perk pump, lines, cuvet etc where changed it became consistent again.

you may find some surprises once you start testing at the same times each day especially in the early morning hours. Unless you’re testing at 2am-4am, I would have never seen my alk climb between those hours. Nothing dosed during those times either.

 

[soymilk]

how much was it to rebuild?

 

[steveb]

how much was it to rebuild?

and how long did it take - from time you shipped to time you got it back?

 

[TX_Punisher]

3 different packages available. I would check Their site for pricing and info. It may have changed since I did mine as part of their test group.

 

[RR-MAN]

You will get Inconsistent test results mainly due to lack of maintenance. The cuvette needs to be cleaned at least quarterly. Imagine all three testing components get mixed in one cuvette so keeping it clean is important.

Maintenance is a breeze once you open the trident- very easy.

 

[Reefahholic]

Right now I would buy again. I remember you love data, if anything its an abundance of data.

Not doubt about that. Data gives you the ability to trouble shoot why certain Acro’s died or why there was significant color loss. I probably should buy a Trident or something similar this go around.