Neptune Trident - Marine Aquarium Water Analyzer

Neptune Trident - Marine Aquarium Water Analyzer

The Neptune Trident Marine Aquarium Water Analyzer is an automated testing system that regularly measures alkalinity, calcium and magnesium in a saltwater aquarium. It reports the results to your Apex for alerts and dosing adjustments, so reef keepers no longer need to test these three parameters by hand. It is also the natural partner for the Neptune DŌS if you want a fully automated reef dosing setup.

Key Benefits

• Automatically runs calcium, alkalinity and magnesium tests on a schedule.
• Programmable alerts for out-of-range parameters.
• Data is graphed, so your tank stats are easy to follow.
• Set up and integrate with your Apex in under 15 minutes.
• Used reagents and sample water are emptied into an external vessel (not included).
• Combine it with the Neptune DŌS (available separately) for automated dosing that keeps supplements at consistent levels.
• The default testing schedule gives up to one month of testing before reagents need changing, based on 4 alkalinity, 2 calcium and 2 magnesium tests per day.

How It Works

The Trident is a self-contained automatic titration colorimeter. In simple terms, it automates what you already do when you test your water: run a colour-changing titration and interpret the result. On a schedule, it mixes its reagents with a small sample of aquarium water. A precision peristaltic pump meters the amounts needed to reach the expected colour change, which an electronic colorimeter detects. When the titration finishes, the used sample and reagent fluid goes to your waste container. The Trident then interprets the result and logs the value in your Apex.

Easy Plug and Play Setup

You can go from the box to testing in under 15 minutes. There are no reagents to mix, no tubes to cut and no pumps or probes to calibrate. Plug in one cable and two tubes, then run the setup task in the Apex Fusion mobile app, which guides you through installation with helpful videos along the way.

Consistency and Precision

The Trident tests to a precision of +/- 0.05 dKh for alkalinity and +/- 15 ppm for calcium and magnesium. Neptune states this is better than people can achieve consistently with any hobby-grade test kit on the market.

Understand Your Reef Tank

Regular readings from the Trident show what is happening in your tank. You can see the daily light-cycle swing in calcium carbonate uptake, a salinity drop reflected in magnesium, or calcium dosing that is out of sync. This deeper understanding helps you manage your reef more effectively.

Instant Alerts

Set your Apex to alert you or take immediate action when a parameter moves outside the safe range you specify. For example, if you are dosing an alkalinity solution and a misconfiguration causes overdosing, the Trident can detect it and alert you, giving you more time to correct the problem. Trident data can also switch other devices, such as dosers or solenoids, on and off for added protection.

Automatic Dosing Control with the Neptune DŌS

Coral uptake of alkalinity, calcium and magnesium changes over time, which often means constant testing and dose adjusting. Paired with one or more DŌS units, the Trident solves this with Automatic Dosing Control (ADC). Once configured on the Apex, ADC takes the Trident's results and gradually turns the amount of additive your DŌS delivers up or down.

• You set your target value and your starting dosing amount.
• ADC only tunes the dosing level by +/-35%.
• If more than that is needed to hold your target, the Apex stops ADC, reverts to your starting dosing amount and alerts you to adjust the dose manually.
• Once adjusted, ADC can be re-enabled and continues guiding your DŌS to stay as close to your target as possible.
• ADC can be used for all three tests: alkalinity, calcium and magnesium.
• One test value can adjust more than one additive delivered by the DŌS (for example, a Triton system).

Reagents and Maintenance

• On the default schedule of four alkalinity, two calcium and two magnesium tests a day, the reagent stored inside the unit lasts a full month.
• To change reagent, slide out the drawer, remove the old bottle(s) and replace them with new ones.
• You can also run a calibration session using the calibration standard.
• Replacement reagent comes in 2-month kits, based on the default schedule of 4-Alk/2-Ca/2-Mg per day. Each kit holds two bottles of Reagent A (changed every month), one bottle each of Reagent B and C (changed every two months) and one bottle of calibration seawater sample.
• Each reagent kit provides at least 240 alkalinity tests and 120 tests each of calcium and magnesium.
• Neptune designed the Trident to keep reagent and running costs as low as possible.

Ultra-Quiet Testing

If you listen closely, or your room is very quiet, you may hear the Trident working from time to time. It is several dB quieter than other automated testing systems, and inside a cabinet alongside your other equipment you will likely never hear it.

Suitable For

• Reef and saltwater aquarium keepers who want automated alkalinity, calcium and magnesium testing.
• Hobbyists who want to track trends, set alerts and stabilise dosing.

Compatibility

• Requires a Neptune Apex or ApexEL with an open 1Link, OR a 24V power supply and Aquabus cable.
• Automatic dosing requires the Neptune DŌS Fluid Metering Module (available separately).
• Setup is run through the Apex Fusion mobile app.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 10.8 cm x 30.5 cm x 25.4 cm (4.25" x 12" x 10")
• Alkalinity precision: +/- 0.05 dKh
• Calcium precision: +/- 15 ppm
• Magnesium precision: +/- 15 ppm
• Testing time: around 7 minutes per test
• Sample water required: around 8 mL per test
• Max head: must be less than 1.2 m (4') from the water sample

What's Included

• 1 x Trident system
• 1 x 1Link cable
• 1.5 m (5') black sample tubing
• 1.5 m (5') clear waste tubing
• 1 x 2-month reagent supply*

*The included reagent is the actual 2-month reagent kit. Initial setup uses a small amount of reagent, leaving about 45 days remaining, which varies with how many times a day you test. A vessel for waste is not included.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Trident test?
It tests alkalinity, calcium and magnesium in saltwater aquariums and logs the results in your Apex.

What do I need to run it?
You need a Neptune Apex or ApexEL with an open 1Link, or a 24V power supply and Aquabus cable. The Apex Fusion mobile app guides the setup.

How long does each test take and how much water does it use?
Each test takes around 7 minutes and uses around 8 mL of sample water.

How long does the reagent last?
On the default schedule of 4 alkalinity, 2 calcium and 2 magnesium tests a day, the reagent inside the unit lasts a month. Reagent A is changed monthly, while Reagents B and C are changed every two months. A reagent kit gives at least 240 alkalinity tests and 120 each of calcium and magnesium.

Can it dose my reef automatically?
Yes, when paired with the Neptune DŌS Fluid Metering Module (sold separately) and set up with Automatic Dosing Control. ADC adjusts dosing by up to +/-35% from your starting amount. If more is needed, it reverts to your starting amount and alerts you.

Where can I place it relative to my tank?
Place it less than 1.2 m (4') from the water sample. It is quiet enough to sit inside the cabinet with your other equipment.