Controllers & Testings
Use aquarium controllers, monitors and test kits to measure key water parameters.
Hobbyists usually perform water changes, dose aquarium supplements and replace their filter media to keep water conditions at optimum levels. But how do you know when it’s time to perform each of these activities? The answer is simple: by testing your water.
The most popular and affordable way to test your aquarium water quality is by using an aquarium test kit. Most aquarium test kits use the titration method to determine the concentration of the parameter you are testing. For a fish-only saltwater aquarium, you should test pH, Alkalinity, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. For a reef tank, you’ll want to test the Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphate levels in your tank in addition to the aforementioned parameters.
Since frequent testing can get tedious, many hobbyists supplement their regular testing regimen with an aquarium controller or monitor. An aquarium controller will not only provide you with constant temperature, pH, ORP and salinity readings, you can also use it to control your lights, pumps and even alert you if something goes awry. The Neptune Systems Apex AquaController and Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper have been the industry leaders in total aquarium control for quite some time.
American Marine Pinpoint aquarium monitors are another option to consider. Unlike the full-featured controllers offered by Neptune Systems and Digital Aquatics which offer the ability to track several parameters, each device in the Pinpoint series only monitors one, such as pH, Calcium, Nitrate or salinity.
Most marine aquarium owners use a combination of testing tools to monitor water quality. Test kits, thermometers and refractometers are standard tools every reef tank owner utilizes. As your aquarium matures and its inhabitants grow, maintaining steady water parameters becomes more challenging. That is usually when a more sophisticated controller or monitor comes into play since they help simplify the daily and weekly chores required to keep water parameters within ideal ranges.
Tunze Water Valve 8555.200
$135.00
Tunze Water valve 8555.200 operating on low voltage 9 to 12 V DC, replaces the enclosed meter pump in the Osmolator® for several aquariums with gravity line, for example.
Apex Trident Reagent Kit (2 months)
$110.00
Neptune System's Replacement Reagent Kit comes with everything you need to change out the reagents for the Trident Marine Water Analyzing System. Each kit comes with new bottles that can be placed directly into the Trident's reagent holder and only takes a few minutes to exchange the old for the new.
Amount of Tests:
Based on the default testing schedule of 4x alkalinity, 2x calcium, and 2x magnesium tests per day, the reagent kit will last approximately 2-months before a new reagent is required.
240x Alkalinity Tests (reagent changed every month)
120x Calcium Tests (reagent changed every 2-month)
120x Magnesium Tests (reagent changed every 2-month)
Note: Neptune Systems recommends keeping on hand no more Trident reagent than you might expect to consume within the next 12 months.
Neptune Systems Trident
$1,100.00
Say Goodbye to Manually Testing for Calcium, Alkalinity, or Magnesium in your Reef!
The Trident is an automated testing system that regularly tests alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium in your saltwater aquarium — and then communicates this information to your Apex so you can get alerts, and change your dosing. When combined with the DOS (available separately) it creates a fully automated system for the proper dosing of supplements, maintaining them at consistent levels.
- Automatically performs Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium tests
- Includes 1-month of reagent
- Combine with Neptune DoS for automated dosing
- Programmable alerts for out of range parameters
- Data is graphed for easy to comprehend tank stats
- Can be set-up and integrated with your Apex in less than 15 minutes
- Empties used reagents and sample into an external vessel (not included)
- Up to one month of testing before reagents need changing; based on 4-Alk, 2-Ca, 2-Mg tests per day
HOW IT WORKS
The Trident is a self contained automatic titration colorimeter. That’s quite a mouthful, for sure, so let’s state it as simply as we can. The Trident is basically automating what you (and top scientists) do already when you test your water, that is, perform a color changing titration and interpret the results.
On a scheduled basis the Trident carefully mixes its reagents with a small amount of sample water from your aquarium. While doing this, it is measuring (titrating with a precision peristaltic pump) the amounts of each that are necessary to reach an expected color change (determined by the electronic colorimeter). When it finishes the titration, it sends this sample/reagent fluid to your waste container. It then interprets the results of that test and logs the value into your Apex.
Requires Neptune Apex or ApexEL with an open 1Link OR a 24V Power and Aquabus cable
How It Works
The Trident is a self-contained automatic titration colorimeter. That’s quite a mouthful, for sure, so let’s state it as simply as we can. The Trident is basically automating what you (and top scientists) do already when you test your water, that is, perform a color changing titration and interpret the results.
On a scheduled basis the Trident carefully mixes its reagents with a small amount of sample water from your aquarium. While doing this, it is measuring (titrating with a precision peristaltic pump) the amounts of each that are necessary to reach an expected color change (determined by the electronic colorimeter). When it finishes the titration, it sends this sample/reagent fluid to your waste container. It then interprets the results of that test and logs the value into your Apex.
Easy Plug & Play Setup
From the box to testing in under 15 minutes! Unlike other testing systems, there are no reagents to mix, tubes to cut, or pumps or probes to calibrate. Simply plug in one cable, two tubes, and run the setup task on the Apex Fusion mobile app — it holds your hand through the installation with helpful videos along the way.
Consistency & Precision
The Trident tests with a precision of +/- 0.05 dKh for Alkalinity and 15ppm for Calcium and Magnesium. This is better than humans can do consistently with every hobby-grade test kit on the market.
Understand Your Reef Tank Link Never Before
When you start getting the regular data coming in from the Trident you will be amazed at the things you can see happening. The daily light cycle swing on calcium carbonate uptake. A salinity drop by watching magnesium. An out of sync dosing of calcium. This increased understanding ultimately helps you maintain a better, more successful reef.
Instant Alerts
You can set up your Apex to alert you, or take immediate action(s) when a parameter falls outside of the safe zone you specify. As just one example, you might be dosing an Alkalinity solution and a misconfiguration could lead to overdosing of your tank. The Trident will catch that, alert you, and give you more time to make that correction before its too late and to save your aquarium. The data from the Trident can also be used to turn on and off other devices (like dosers or solenoids) to protect your tank even more.
Ultimate Stability with the Neptune DŌS
The more stable you maintain proper levels of Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium, the better your corals will grow and thrive. But coral uptake of these supplements often changes and requires us not only to perform more testing but also seems to put us in a never-ending state of adjusting our dosing levels.
The Trident, when paired up with one or more of our DŌS systems solves this problem with Automatic Dosing Control (ADC)
When configured on the Apex, ADC will take the results it receives from the Trident and uses them to gradually turn up or down the amount of additive your DŌS delivers. But, don’t worry, we have built this feature with safety in mind. With ADC you set your target value and your starting dosing amount and ADC will only tune that dosing level +/-35%. If it takes more than that amount of dosing to keep your aquarium at your target value, then the Apex will stop ADC, revert to your starting dosing amount, and alert you that you need to manually adjust your dosing level. Then, ADC can be re-enabled and it will continue to guide your DŌS so that it keeps you as close to your target value as possible.
It is possible to use ADC for all three tests – Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium. You can also use one test value to adjust up or down more than one additive delivered by the DŌS (i.e. Triton system).
Simple Reagent Changes
When using the default testing schedule of four (4) alkalinity, two (2) calcium, and two (2) magnesium tests a day, the reagent stored inside the Apex will last a full month. And adding new reagent is super simple — just slide out the drawer, remove the old bottle(s), and replace them with new ones. If you desire, you can also run a calibration session with the included calibration standard.
The cost of reagents and the recurring cost is a valid concern for a hobbyist considering the test kit or automated system – and we designed the Trident with that in mind – keeping those costs as low as possible. Reagent comes in 2-month kits (based on the default testing schedule of 4-Alk/2-Ca/2-Mg per day). These kits include two bottles of Reagent A (changed every month), one each of Reagent B and C (changed every two months), and one bottle of our calibration seawater sample. The reagent kit has at least 240 alkalinity tests and 120 tests each of Calcium and Magnesium. These two-month kits are priced at just $44.95 in the U.S.
Ultra-Quiet Testing
You will hear the Trident operate from time to time if you listen closely or you have a super-quiet room. And, as compared to other automated testing systems, it is several dB quieter. While inside your cabinet along with your other equipment, you will likely never even hear it.
Specifications:
- Alkalinity Precision - +/-.05 dKh
- Calcium Precision - +/-15 ppm
- Magnesium Precision - +/-15 ppm
- Testing Time - Around 7 minutes per test
- Sample Water Required - Around 8mL per test
- Max Head - Must be less than 4' from the water sample
Hanna Instruments Phosphate Ultra Low Range Colorimeter – Checker® HC
$99.00
| Range | 0.00 to 0.90 ppm |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 0.01 ppm |
| Accuracy @ 25°C/77°F | ±0.02 ppm ±5% of reading |
| Light Source | LED @ 525 nm |
| Light Detector | silicon photocell |
| Method | adaptation of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th edition, Ascorbic-Acid method |
| Environment | 0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F); RH max 95% non-condensing |
| Battery Type | (1) 1.5V AAA |
| Auto-off | after 7 minutes of non-use and 2 minutes after reading |
| Dimensions | 86.0 mm x 61.0 mm x 37.5 mm (3.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
| Weight | 64 g (2.25 oz.) |
| Ordering Information | HI774 Checker® is supplied with (2) sample cuvettes with caps, phosphate ULR reagent starter kit for 10 tests, batteries, instructions, and quick start guide. |
Reef Octopus Varios Pump Controller Only
$108.00
Reef Octopus Varios Pump Controller for Varios 2, 4, 6 and 8.
Hanna Instruments Phosphate Ultra Low Range Reagent (25 tests)
$17.00
The HI774-25 are high-quality reagents that are pre-measured, allowing for users to achieve fast and accurate measurements with their Phosphate Ultra Low Range Checker® HC. These reagents follow the Ascorbic Acid Method in which the reaction between phosphorus and reagents causes a blue tint in the sample. By simply adding the packet of HI774-25 reagent to the sample, the reaction will take place and the HI774 will determine the concentration from the color that is produced. The results will be displayed in ppb of phosphorus. These reagents are designed to be used with samples that have an expected range of 0.00 to 0.90 ppm phosphate.
Dosetronic
$1,049.00
Auto tuning
All Dosetronic can start to communicate with an Alkatronic, but also works perfectly as a standalone Dosing station without the Alkatronic. The communicating with Alkatronic though, opens up some features that make Dosetronic to something completely new for the market!
Every day it will summarize the dKH trend during that day (and sort out out-layers) and based on that fine-tune and auto correct the basic scheduled dosing schema in Dosetronic, in those pumps you have in ”Alkatronic Mode”. This is something completely new for the hobby, and will make the Balling regime totally auto regulated!
User friendly and intelligent
When setting up the basic schedule you just enter number of dosing occasions and total dose, and DT do the whole schedule for you automatically with 5 min apart each dose. Of course you can after that manual adjust if you temporarily wants more from for instance the Ca channel, or dosing more at day than night etc. All channels can also be totally manual programmed, if you for instance wants to dose traces or something else in very small doses. Most user will use 3(-4) channels for the Balling regime, and you have 2 left for traces, carbon source, etc etc. These channels for other stuff than Balling, you set in Alkatronic mode OFF, and then you control those channels like you want, and those will not respond on dosing actions from Alkatronic, neither be included in the auto correcting algorithms. Its also very easy and user-friendly to do an overall increasing/decreasing of the Balling doses, by just using an ”Overall Adjustment” button, which will change all doses in a matter of %, and thus keep all previous ratios between the channels and doses. No more struggling with manual change on all channels and doses.
Dimensions:
Same footprint as the Alkatronic, Dosetronic will be around the half height of an Alkatronic.
Connections:
Customizable to have the 10 luer connections on either side.
Communication with Alkatronic:
Wireless.
Controlled by:
Wifi based app, and cloud.
Pumps:
5, stepper based.
Accuracy:
0.05 ml
Resolution:
0.1ml
Standalone:
Yes
Hanna Instruments Marine Alkalinity Reagents (dKH) 25 Tests
$15.00
Reagents for Hanna Instruments Checker Marine Alkalinity Colorimeter
Reagent kit for 25 Marine Alkalinity Tests
Range: 0.00 to 250 mg/L
Hanna Instruments Salinity Tester
$148.00
- Hanna Instruments HI98319 is a salinity tester made specifically for the saltwater aquarium enthusiest and can measure salinity up to 70.00 ppt.
- The rugged waterproof tester is only 0.7" thick and extremely ergonomic, fitting comfortably in your hand.
- The HI98319 keeps things simple with a two-button operation; one for ON/OFF, the other for calibration.
- The salinity tester features a large multi level LCD which displays either ppt, PSU or specific gravity along with temperature.
- Temperature can be set to display in oC or oF. An exposed temperature sensor allows for rapid automatic temperature compensated measurements.
- The LCD screen has stability and calibration tag indicators.
- A battery percent level indicator is displayed at start up to alert the user of the remaining battery power that is available.
- Salinity readings are performed by an amperometric graphite probe that resists oxidation, providing better repeatability in measurements.
- The use of graphite also reduces the polarization effect common with testers that use two stainless steel pins.
- Calibration is performed by pressing the dedicated calibration button.
- Once in calibration mode, the probe is placed in 35.00 ppt calibration standard.
- When the standard value is recognized and stability reached, the meter will automatically accept and store the value.
- Setup options include an adjustable automatic shut-off in which the meter can be set to turn off after 8 minutes, 60 minutes, or disabled.
- To enter the setup mode the user presses a button located in the battery compartment.
- HI98319 waterproof salinity tester provides a simple, accurate and cost-effective way to determine the salt concentration in saltwater aquariums.
Tunze Turbelle Controller Skimmer
$85.00
Tunze Turbelle Controller Skimmer 7090.250
This is a pre-order item only.
Salifert K Potassium Test Kit (freshwater test)
$22.00
Features:
- Potassium is one of the elements that is mostly absorbed by freshwater plants.
- Even in the case of regular fertilization, the potassium value can go down to minimum levels, stopping plant growth.
- For a luxuriant growth of plants the value must be between 5 and 10mg / l; to reach 20mg / l in the case of intensely illuminated pools (more than 1W / l).
- Higher values of 20mg / l favor the growth of green filiform algae.
MIUS MIST
$79.00
B-MINI
- Model: B-MINI
- Supports nozzles: 1, 2 to 4
- Wattage: 25W
- Dimension: 140 x 90 x 70 H mm
- Suitable for use in 30 to 60cm terrarium. Use 1 nozzle every 20-30cm as required. The system is connected with DripZip, however, connecting more nozzles as specified will result in dripping from nozzle heads.
B-50
- Model: B-50
- Supports nozzles: 1, 2 to 4
- Wattage: 35W
- Dimension: 288 x 188 x 115 H mm
- Suitable for use in 30, 60, 90cm terrarium. Use 1 nozzle every 20-30cm as required. The system is connected with DripZip, however, connecting more nozzles as specified will result in dripping from nozzle heads.
B-100
- Model: B100
- Supports nozzles: 4, 6 to 8
- Wattage: 40W
- Dimension: 288 x 188 x 115 H mm
- Suitable for use in 60, 90 to 120cm terrarium. Use 1 nozzle every 20-30cm as required. The system is connected with DripZip, however, connecting more nozzles as specified will result in dripping from nozzle heads.
B-150
- Model: B150
- Supports nozzles: 6, 8 to 10
- Wattage: 42W
- Dimension: 288 x 188 x 115 H mm
- Suitable for use in 90, 120 to 150cm terrarium. Use 1 nozzle every 20-30cm as required. The system is connected with DripZip, however, connecting more nozzles as specified will result in dripping from nozzle heads.
B-300
- Model: B300
- Supports nozzles: 8, 12 to 18
- Wattage: 95W
- Dimension: 288 x 188 x 115 H mm
- Suitable for use in 120, 150, 200 to 300cm terrarium. Use 1 nozzle every 20-30cm as required. The system is connected with DripZip, however, connecting more nozzles as specified will result in dripping from nozzle heads.
Brightwell Aquatics Refractometer Calibration Standard 60ml
$9.90
1.0264 Specific Gravity
1.3394 Refractive Index
35 ppt Salinity
53 uS/cm at 25 deg c
Overview
Brightwell Aquatics Aquarium Reagents Refractometer Calibration Standard is designed to provide an accurate reference for the calibration of seawater refractometers, hydrometers and other density measuring equipment.
1. Shake product well before using.
2. Clean Refractometer prism slide with fresh distilled water.
3. Dry completely with soft clean dry cloth.
4. Place several drops of Brightwell Refractometer Calibration Standard fluid on the slide.
5. Wait 45 seconds and calibrate to 35 ppt Salinity.
Brightwell Aquatics Refractometer & Hydrometer Calibration Standard 250ml
$19.00
1.0264 Specific Gravity
1.3394 Refractive Index
35 ppt Salinity
53 uS/cm at 25 deg c
Overview
Brightwell Aquatics Aquarium Reagents Refractometer & Hydrometer Calibration Standard is designed to provide an accurate reference for the calibration of seawater refractometers, hydrometers and other density measuring equipment.
Instructions & Guidelines - Refractometers
1. Shake product well before using.
2. Clean Refractometer prism slide with fresh distilled water.
3. Dry completely with soft clean dry cloth.
4. Place several drops of Brightwell Refractometer & Hydrometer Calibration Standard fluid on the slide.
5. Wait 45 seconds and calibrate to 35 ppt Salinity.
Instructions & Guidelines - Hydrometers
1. Shake product well before using.
2. Rinse Hydrometer with distilled water.
3. Pour Brightwell Refractometer & Hydrometer Calibration Standard fluid carefully into hydrometer to avoid bubbles.
4. Tap hydrometer to dislodge any bubbles and use a stirring rod to tap the swing arm to release any remaining bubbles.
5. Read hydrometer, at 25 deg c ( 77 deg F ) you should read a specific gravity of 1.026
Rainbow Auto Food Dispenser/Food Timer
$20.00
- Consistent measured volume of feeding.
- Automatically feed as per set time up to 6 times a day.
- Battery powered, feeds even during a power failure.
Jebao Doser 3.4 WIFI-Controllable
$109.00
- WIFI control function
- Automatic dosing in high precision
- Safety low voltage
- Automatic/handle to control the dosing liquid
- Apps can be dowloaded from App Store or Google Play - 'Jebao Aqua'
- Easy Programming on your smartphone
- Smartphone setting can save time for newbie to setting and more accuracy to prevent input wrong on the traditional LCD dosing pump
- Ideal for dosing CA / MAG / KH or RO
- Max Program 24 times a day
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GDs3Ra9nmCN1YCiT5t9jtWGVPz_ag9YK/view
Colombo 6 in 1 Quick Test Strips for Fresh water
$29.00
Rapid test for the 6 most important water parameters (50 test strips)• pH-value
• carbonate hardness (KH)
• total hardness (GH)
• Nitrite (NO₂),
• Nitrate (NO₃),
• Chlorine (CL₂)
You will be able to read off test results
within 60 seconds.
Seneye Pond
$209.00
Automatically tests multiple life critical parameters
Works with all aquariums: coldwater, tropical and marine
Easy to install, simply drop in
Constantly watching your aquarium, 5600 readings per month
Customisable alerts, directly to e-mail and SMS *
Upload results and get straightforward advice *
USB connection with multiple connection options, including optional USB power adaptor
Seneye Home
$149.00
Automatically tests multiple life critical parameters
Works with all aquariums: coldwater, tropical and marine
Easy to install, simply drop in
Constantly watching your aquarium, 5600 readings per month
Customisable alerts, directly to e-mail and SMS *
Upload results and get straightforward advice *
USB connection with multiple connection options, including optional USB power adaptor
American Marine PINPOINT Probe Storage Fluid 60ml
$15.00
PINPOINT Probe storage fluid for pH and ORP/REDOX Probes This is the perfect fluid for the storage of any pH or ORP/REDOX Electrode. American Marine Probe Storage Fluid will keep the tip properly moist and extend the life of your probe during storage (60 mL).
American Marine PINPOINT ORP Replacement Probe
$99.00
PINPOINT® ORP Replacement Probe is designed especially with your purpose in mind.
It features long, continuous duty expectancy, fast response and, most importantly, is non-toxic to your system.
Each probe features a 10 foot cable with a high interference suppression jacket, Ag-AgCl reference, and is 99.9% pure platinum.
Hanna Ammonia Low Range Checker HC Reagents (25 Tests)
$28.00
The HI700-25 are high-quality reagents that are pre-measured, allowing for users to achieve fast and accurate measurements with their Ammonia Checker® HC. These reagents follow the Nessler Method in which the reaction between ammonia and reagents causes a yellow tint in the sample. By simply adding 4 drops from each bottle of HI700-25 reagent set to the sample, the reaction will take place and the HI700 will determine the concentration from the color that is produced. The results will be displayed in ppm (mg/L) of ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N). These reagents are designed to be used with samples that have an expected range of 0.00 to 3.00 ppm ammonia-nitrogen. To convert the reading to ppm of ammonia (NH3) multiply the result by 1.214.
RED SEA ALGAE CONTROL PRO MULTI TEST KIT
Sold Out
High accuracy colorimetric comparator tests for the exceptionally high accuracy measurement of Nitrate and Phosphate. For all Reef Systems. Best Value
Red Sea’s Algae Control Pro Multi Test Kit includes high accuracy colorimetric comparator tests for the exceptionally high accuracy measurement of nitrate and phosphate.
The nitrate & phosphate tests are essential for the accurate dosing of Red Sea’s NO3: PO4– X (biological nitrate & phosphate reducer) which is part of the complete Red Sea Reef Care Program.
ALGAE CONTROL PRO MULTI TEST KIT Specifications:
| Test Name | Element | Accuracy | Range | Test Type | No. of test |
| Nitrate Pro | NO3 | 0.125 ppm | 0-64 ppm | Comparator | 100 |
| Phosphate Pro | PO4 | 0.02 ppm | 0-5 ppm | Comparator | 100 |
© 2020 Fresh N Marine. All rights reserved.
