New Reef Parameter Monitors - Hydros Maven and Neptune Trident NP

[kenchilada]

Maven is going to be significantly cheaper.

Did they post reagent prices?

 

[braaap]

Did they post reagent prices?

They talked about them in a live stream and said it would be in the cents per test. Could be 10 cents or 99 cents.

My very basic math says if that is the case right now the Trident NP is 1 test a day so 50 cents per parameter or $1 a day.

 

[ReefStable]

Just be cautious. While the Maven may allow less than once per day, if you don't do tests frequently enough, the lines can clog and you'll have to replace parts. Additionally, we don't know if that is $0.99/test per parameter.

While I'm excited to check out the Maven as well, I just want to be cautious with the absolutes until we know.

I know Neptune has reasons for their once per day, and I don't believe it is purely financial. I can't speak to the amount of time it takes for the reagent to sit before problems arise though.

tl;dr; We don't know which option will be better for the wallet yet. If I had to take a bet, were likely looking at a pretty close price point.

 

[JeffB418]

Just be cautious. While the Maven may allow less than once per day, if you don't do tests frequently enough, the lines can clog and you'll have to replace parts. Additionally, we don't know if that is $0.99/test per parameter.

While I'm excited to check out the Maven as well, I just want to be cautious with the absolutes until we know.

I know Neptune has reasons for their once per day, and I don't believe it is purely financial. I can't speak to the amount of time it takes for the reagent to sit before problems arise though.

tl;dr; We don't know which option will be better for the wallet yet. If I had to take a bet, were likely looking at a pretty close price point.

Hydros has taken steps to prevent clogging. 1) they use a micro air pump to flush reagent out of the lines and back into the bottles after a test. 2) they use both saltwater then rodi water to flush the main lines/manifold then after use air to flush any water out.

 

[ReefStable]

Hydros has taken steps to prevent clogging. 1) they use a micro air pump to flush reagent out of the lines and back into the bottles after a test. 2) they use both saltwater then rodi water to flush the main lines/manifold then after use air to flush any water out.

I'll admit, I was trying to be a little less biased. But, I just spent my night last night taking my trident apart to fix a clogged line so I'm not going to try to defend them too hard...

 

[KirM]

From what I can gather, both machines work on the same basic principal between the Maven and Trident NP.

Both:
- use a single stepper doser to pull reagents and sample
- use pinch valves to select source or direction of reagents/sample
- use a small vial for the test reaction
- use photo eyes for detecting color changes
- use proprietary reagents
- neither has published accuracy or precision values yet
- both need a waste bucket for post test water
- both dont use RODI to clean the unit
- both dont require calibration of the internal dosing pump
- no mention yet from either on how to calibrate N/P on machine
- have adaptive dosing algorithms to dynamically dose based on tested values
- in theory, both should be quiet testers since based off the same tech concept. X10 stepper dosers are quiet at low speeds and Maven uses the same driver IC as the X10.
- both support out of range alerts
- both have data graphs based on test results
- both have to be co-located to the testing source

Differences:
- Trident/Trident NP have a minimum DAILY testing requirement, Maven does not (unpublished but comments have confirmed its not a daily requirement, most likely weekly or longer)
- Coralvue designed the Maven to be self serviceable, so all internal parts will be available for sale. Neptune does not sell all parts. Only the service kit is available. Pumps/pinch valves are NOT available direct and must send in full unit for servicing, esp if the optical eye gets wet from overflowing.
- Test vial is external on Maven and internal on Trident. Easier to service and clean on Maven in comparison. Maven also isolates the vial from electronics, Trident does not and overflows have caused failures in the past.
- Test vial mixing. Trident uses a stirbar w/ motor. Maven uses an air pump and bubbles to mix the sample. Jury is out which is more effective.
- Back to the air pump. Maven has a micro air pump internal to 1) purge lines during portions of the testing and 2) mix the sample in the vial. Trident does not have this function.
- Need both the Trident and Trident NP to test the same parameters as the Maven.
- Trident/Trident NP needs a Apex brain to function. Maven can be stand alone OR part of a Hydros collective via the command bus.
- back to dynamic dosing, both have it but Apex requires you to use a DOS to perform. Hydros allows you to use any of their dosing options (X10, Minnow, simple drive port hydros doser, or any dumb AC doser)
- Maven is not IP rated, but has a much more protected enclosure. Trident is not as protected.
- Maven must be wall mounted (can make a DIY stand or 3D print something for free standing), Trident must be free standing, cant be wall mounted (unless you DIY a shelf).
- Trident/Trident NP holds reagent bottles internally, Maven's bottles are external.
- Maven supports accessories off the 2 built in drive ports (dosers, pumps, solenoids) or 2 sense ports (temp probe, leak sensor, level sensor). Trident only supports testing.
- Maven is a controller, so it also supports wifi devices like power strips, feeders, and 3rd party items like Sicce pumps. Trident is a module.

Thank you for this!!! It is a huge help in deciding which system to choose!

 

[eelman07]

The hydros maven is very tempting for me but for the crazy price of 1200 and no reviews on how it works its quite risky. Especially knowing that they will be hard to get unless i stay up till midnight on release night . Dont know that i will be getting one till later on but right now if i had to choose i would go with the Maven.

 

[jdpierce21]

Trident for me but mainly cause I own an Apex and despite it's quirks, have had general success with the OG Trident and know how to service/clean it when things look off.

There have been a lot of auto testers on the market and literally all of them have their own quirks and issues. The Maven will have its own. Anyone expecting it not to will likely face the same frustrations they may have had with the Trident and other testers. Testers are complicated, finicky and need to be serviced and will never be set and forget pieces of equipment. Just gotta decide which type of "finicky" bothers you least.

If you're thinking about selling your Trident for a Maven I beg you to wait until the Maven has been out for a bit. Maybe the Maven is a top tier product and better than the rest, but it's also possible it's a subpar water tester. Wait for reviews, wait for feedback. Once you know how it performs, then make your decision. Just don't go into any new product blind with the amount of $$$ these companies are asking. Just my 2 cents.

If I were in your situation I wouldn’t add the Triton NP but I would add the Maven to your set up. The Maven is a controller and will be able to run on its own.

 

[jdpierce21]

Does anyone know if the maven will be able to drain the waste line down a drain or does it have to go into a waste container?

 

[Jamie814]

Does anyone know if the maven will be able to drain the waste line down a drain or does it have to go into a waste container?

Not sure about the maven but the trident NP allows you to choose drain for the waste line, it just warns you that the waste is corrosive. This should only really be a concern if you're in an old house with cast-iron drain pipes which it could damage. Any newer housing with PVC drains should have nothing to worry about, especially if the drain used has other waste that goes down it periodically as well.

The corrosive reagents are the same reason why the NP uses plastic suction straws in the reagent bottles verses the metal ones you see in the regular trident.

 

[jdpierce21]

Post a link

Not sure about the maven but the trident NP allows you to choose drain for the waste line, it just warns you that the waste is corrosive. This should only really be a concern if you're in an old house with cast-iron drain pipes which it could damage. Any newer housing with PVC drains should have nothing to worry about, especially if the drain used has other waste that goes down it periodically as well.

Gotcha. Yeah I was talking about going down a city sewer/drain line or if you have to put it in a waste container and then add something to the waste container before dumping it.

 

[Jamie814]

talking about going down a city sewer/drain line

I assume the maven will use similar reagent chemicals and also be corrosive but I'm just guessing.

I think the waste container and neutralizer is more of a liability thing so a user cannot go back on Neptune and sue saying their tester damaged the plumbing in their house.
Drano is highly corrosive and it is advised against using it with cast-iron pipes to prevent potential damage also.