Automated Testing for the Three Most Critical Reef Parameters

• Fully Automated Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing.
• Seamless Integration with Neptune Systems Apex Controllers.
• Precision Testing with Consistent, Repeatable Results.
• Test Your Aquarium Water up to 24 Times Per Day.
• Apex Fusion Graphing, Alerts, and Automation Support.
• Compatible with Automatic Dosing Control When Paired with DŌS.

The Neptune Systems Trident ACM is an automated testing device designed to continuously monitor alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium in saltwater reef aquariums. By removing the need for manual test kits, the Trident delivers consistent, high-frequency data that helps reef keepers better understand consumption trends, detect issues early, and maintain long-term stability.

The Trident connects directly to a compatible Neptune Systems Apex controller and logs every test result into Apex Fusion, where results are graphed over time and can trigger alerts or automated actions. When paired with a Neptune Systems DŌS or DŌS QuietDrive dosing pump, the Trident becomes the foundation of a closed-loop testing and dosing system that can automatically adjust additive delivery to maintain target parameters.

How it Works?

The Trident uses automated titration combined with an internal colorimeter to replicate the same chemical testing process used in manual hobby test kits, but with far greater consistency. On a scheduled basis, the Trident draws a small water sample from the aquarium, mixes it with reagent, and precisely measures the color change using a controlled peristaltic pump system.

Once the test is complete, the sample and reagent are expelled to an external waste container, and the measured value is logged into the Apex. This process repeats automatically based on the testing schedule you define.

Apex Integration & Alerts.

All Trident test results are displayed in Apex Fusion, where data is stored, graphed, and analyzed over time. Users can configure alerts to notify them if alkalinity, calcium, or magnesium move outside of a defined safe range.

Beyond notifications, Trident data can also be used to trigger automated responses such as pausing dosing, adjusting output, or activating other connected equipment to help protect the aquarium from instability.

Automatic Dosing Control with Neptune DŌS

When paired with one or more Neptune Systems DŌS dosing pumps, the Trident allows you to enable optional Automatic Dosing Control (ADC). ADC takes results from the Trident and uses them to gradually adjust what the DŌS delivers. Built-in safeguards protect your aquarium by comparing measured changes against dosing adjustments. Dosing changes are limited to ±35% per adjustment. If no expected change is detected, ADC will shut down auto tuning, notify you, and revert to the original dosing levels.

Setup & Operation

Installation is designed to be quick and straightforward. The Trident connects via a single cable to the Apex’s EB832 Power Bar, uses two lengths of tubing for sample intake and waste output, and is configured through guided setup tasks in Apex Fusion. No manual calibration, reagent mixing, or probe tuning is required.

Testing is quiet and compact enough to run inside most aquarium cabinets without drawing attention.

Compatible Neptune Systems Apex Controllers

A3 Apex (Apex Pro, Apex, Apex Jr.*)

A2 Apex (Apex, Apex EL)

*Note: If you’re using an A3 Apex Jr., you’ll need a 36W 24VDC Power Supply and Aquabus cable.

Requires:

Open 1Link port or 24V power supply + Aquabus cable

Neptune Systems DŌS or DŌS QuietDrive required for automated dosing

Specifications

• Dimensions: 9.8″ x 12.4″ x 4.9″.
• Alkalinity Precision: ±0.05 dKH.
• Calcium Precision: ±15 ppm.
• Magnesium Precision: ±15 ppm.
• Test Duration: Approximately 7 minutes per test.
• Sample Volume: Less than 7 mL per test.
• Maximum Head Height: Must be less than 4 ft from water source.

What’s Included?

Neptune Systems Trident ACM Tester.

1Link Cable.

Black Sample Tubing (5 feet).

Clear Waste Tubing (5 feet).

How to Use

Neptune’s claim for setup is “from the box to testing in under 45 minutes”, and the reason it is that quick is that there are, in their words, “no tubes to cut, or pumps or probes to calibrate”. The whole sequence runs as a guided task in Apex Fusion, with step-by-step video at each stage.

1. Stand the Trident where it can stay level and dry, inside the cabinet is fine, and connect it to a 1LINK port on the Energy Bar with the supplied cable. That single cable carries both power and data.
2. Run the black sample line into the tank or sump, and the clear waste line into a waste container or a drain.
3. Fit a reagent kit — sold separately — and run the reagent task in Apex Fusion. The calibration standard is in the kit, and the Trident uses it itself.
4. Set your testing schedule. The default is four tests a day; Neptune’s range is a minimum of four and a maximum of 24.
5. Set your high and low limits for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium so the Apex alerts you when a result falls outside them.

What happens on each test. The Trident draws a sample of under 7 ml, mixes it with reagent, and reads the colour change with an internal colorimeter — automated titration with colorimetric identification, the same chemistry as a manual kit but performed identically every time. The used sample goes to the waste container and is never returned to the aquarium. At under 7 ml a test, even 24 tests a day take out a fraction of what a 100 ml testing system would, so salinity barely moves.

Changing reagents. Run the Apex Fusion tasks “Trident ACM Reagent A Replacement” and “Trident ACM Reagent Replacement”; they prompt you through it with video. Once opened, a bottle of Reagent A lasts 30 days and bottles of Reagent B and Reagent C last 60 days each.

Driving a doser from the results. Paired with one or more DŌS pumps, Automatic Dosing Control takes the Trident’s readings and trims what the DŌS delivers. The safeguards matter as much as the feature: an adjustment is capped at ±35% of the current dose, and if the measured chemistry does not move the way the adjustment predicted, ADC shuts the auto-tuning down, notifies you and reverts to your original dosing levels.

Tests per Kit

Reagents are sold separately — this listing is the tester only. Neptune’s figures are for the default schedule, which for the ACM is four alkalinity tests and two calcium/magnesium tests a day.

Two-month ACM kit

• Two bottles of Reagent A — approximately 240 alkalinity tests. One bottle lasts 30 days once opened; you move to the second with the Apex Fusion task.
• One bottle of Reagent B and one of Reagent C — together approximately 120 calcium and magnesium tests. Each lasts 60 days once opened.
• A calibration standard.

Six-month ACM kit

• Three times the reagent of the two-month kit at a lower price per test: six bottles of Reagent A, three of Reagent B and three of Reagent C.

Shelf life and the Use By date. ACM reagents carry a Use By date calculated as 18 months from the manufacture date. Read it precisely: Neptune define it as the date by which the reagents must be installed in the Trident to give the accuracy they specify, on the default four-tests-a-day schedule — not the date the chemistry expires in the bottle.

One printing error worth knowing about. Neptune have published that some ACM reagent kits made between June 2025 and January 2026 were labelled with an incorrect Use By date, making them look expired earlier than they are. They run a LOT-code lookup tool on their reagents page to check a kit. Where the box and the bottles disagree, Neptune say the date printed on the bottles is the correct one.

Warranty & Support

This product carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty on hardware from the date of purchase.

Warranty support is handled by us directly. Message our WhatsApp support with your order number and we will diagnose the fault first — most cases are solved by replacing a single part, so you rarely need to send the whole unit. If the item does need to come back, it ships to our Delhi or Pune warehouse, whichever one served your order, and courier cost in both directions is borne by the customer. Your GST invoice is valid proof of purchase for the claim.

Backorder & Dispatch Timeline

This item is stocked to order. Back-orders are consolidated and placed with our overseas suppliers once a month, on the last day of the month, and all such orders are shipped before the 15th of the following month.

Back-orders cannot be cancelled once they have been placed with the supplier. If you cancel before that, payment-gateway charges of 2% plus GST are deducted and the balance refunded. In the rare case a supplier cannot fulfil the item, we will offer you an alternative first, and refund in full with no deduction if you would rather not take it.

Returns & Replacement

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Manufacturer-sealed items cannot be returned once the seal is broken, and sale-priced items are not refundable.

If your item arrives defective or damaged, message us on WhatsApp with your order number — or email us, if you would rather — and we will replace it. Approved replacements are delivered within 3 to 5 business days. Transit damage is covered by insurance on every shipment. If tracking shows delivered but nothing reached you, tell us within 72 hours, which is the reporting window Indian couriers allow. Damage caused during installation or use is not covered; replacement spares for such cases are chargeable.

Full terms are on our Cancellation & Returns page.