Aquacontroller III Pro vs. ProfiLux II Pro

Los

Los

New member
I'm setting up a 360 gallon reef tank and was going to go with a Aquacontroller III Pro, except Ed Reef recommended I check out the ProfiLux. Now I'm struggling between the two.

www.Aquariumcontrollers.com has a comparison chart for all the controllers. Looking at the comparison, I come up with:

1. Ethernet - Optional on the Profilux
2. No web server control
3. No power failure alarm
4. Dimmable light control - which the AQIII doesn't have
5. No alternate power capable
6. Only 3 expansion ports vs. many more for the AQIII
7. Variable speed pump control - which the AQIII doesn't have

Based on that chart, on balance, the Aquacontroller III seems to be more capable. That said, I know a lot of folks are really keen on the Profilux II Pro. If you wouldn't mind taking a minute, could you tell me why? Is there anything really great that the Profilux does that the Aquacontroller doesn't?
Thanks in advance,

Los
 
Where do you want me to start.

1. Ethernet - will become a feature once technology settles down a bit for small onboard web servers, thus making the Profilux very future safe. GHL is forward thinking, but you already have WLAN and LAN capabilites with email options

2. see above

3. With the new SMS module (which the AQIII does not have) this is also available giving you live alarms to your cell phone, email alert is also available.

4. GHL lead the market in dimmable control with even more expansion coming to this great feature

5. Assuming you mean UPS, due to the instablility UPS is not the best of options.

6. Inccorrect, if you look at the ProfiLux Plus II EX you have the following as standard
A, 3 x level ports
B, pH port
C, temperature port,
D, redox port
E, salinity conductivity port
F, 6 x dimmable channels (Tunze control, and light control)
G, RS232
H, 8 x switchable socket oulets (with full dosing pump capabilites)

Thats the standard onboard

Then you have a total of 6 expansion left (Three onboard which all can be doubled giving total of 6) I would struggle to find a purpose for another 6 uses, so you are pretty much covered.

So thats the basics without getting into what the ProfiLux onboard and software features can offer you different.

You then need to look at the support side of the product, GHL and ourselves give great pride on the direct and pretty much 7 days a week, fast support we offer, NO other manufacturer offers this and this is one of the major benefits of ProfiLux.

Then you have the huge level of constant product upgrades, the software is prety much updated monthly with new features, GHL taking an active interest in what people require, new projects are ongoing bettering the already amazing list of product feature, i.e chiller, sms, recent hook up to Ai lighting.

So to sum up, if you want a controller that will give you pretty much everything you desire, 7 days a week live technical support, a guaranteed future expansion program and probably the most reliable controller on the market today then welcome to the real world of GHL ProfiLux.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you need further asistance any day of the week.
 
Wow. Very fast response! I have heard that Profilux has the best customer service. If you ever decide to make a PC... you've got a customer.

Regarding the number of switched outlets, I've put together a list. I believe I need 24:

1. Calcium reactor CO2 solenoid
2. Closed Loop Pump 1
3. Closed Loop Pump 2
4. Sump return
5. Protein skimmer
6. Heater 1
7. Heater 2
8. Heater 3
9. Chiller
10. Metal Halide (MH)1
11. MH2
12. MH3
13. MH4
14. T5 ballast (controlling linked ballasts)
15. Reverse Osmosis solenoid (for top off)
16. Liter-meter 3 for dosing
17. Reactor chamber pump.
18. Tunze 6201
19. Tunze 6101
20. Tunze 6101
21. Tunze 6101
22. LED night light
23. Fans 1
24. Fans 2

I'm guessing there will probably be another couple of outlets I'll need controlled in the future.

Can the Profilux handle this many or is it limited to 16? I can probably try to link some of these to the same outlets, such as the fans and heaters, but I'd like to know if I'm limited to 16 or not.

What would I need to buy in order to control 16 or 24 outlets?

Thanks!

Los
 
Hiya

You actually only need 19 based on this list as the Tunzes do not need switchable outlets.

The maximum the ProfiLux can handle is 24 sockets so you are well within this, also if you use the GHL fan controller again you dont need to use a switchable socket.

GHL LED lights also plug straight into the back of the ProfiLux, so for your LED night light providing it is GHL that frees another socket.

You are not limited to 16 at all, total 24, so you have ample spare for your requirements.

I would suggest 3 digital daisy chained power bars and a couple of HIGH amp sockets to spread the loads, these run of the didgital bars.

If you go for the GHL dosing stations you also do not need to use further sockets as the units acts as switchable sockets.

Hope that helps
 
One thing i do want to point out.

There is a lot of talk at present about judging the ProfiLux against other makes especially with the web based interface.

Although GHL is at present working on adding this feature, I must point out that this feature on ANY controller whether GHL or another make has very limited usage due to the band width required in accessing multiple functions.

You will only be able to control a hand full of functions over the net, where as with using a pc based software that is available with all ProfiLux's and employing the LAN or WLAN card you have access to all functions of which there are now over 1,000 controllable parameters.

So is this function really worth judging your decision on? Only you can decide but I advise taking a close look at the other features the ProfiLux can do that no other controller can do, possibly more useful to the person trying to decide on what controller to opt for.

Hope that helps
 
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Thanks. That's a good point - as long as I have my laptop with me, which I always do, I can still check up on the tank.

Tks,

Carlos
 
I too looked at both units.

I settled on the ProfiLux, as I believe it is a superior product.

In my opinion the ProfiLux has a cleaner design,
the other one, well to me it looks almost homemade.

I looked at the control software for the PC for both
units, and for me the ProfiLux wins hands down.


As far as the web interface goes….

I personally feel it is one of those things that
are really Not a necessary item I would use.

Though I'd like to see a limited web interface type status
screen (Temp, pH, etc.) with a limited e-mail alert function.

I feel it would be far more useful than a full web interface.


All in all I believe it ProfiLux is the superior product,
and the customer service is outstanding!
 
I'm in the same boat- I can't decide on whether to go with the ACIII or Profilux. Profilux definitely looks like it would be a better product, but the price difference is really going to be the deciding factor-
*unless you guys can tell me where to get a deal on a Profilux

Click my Red House to see my build thread..
 
Cherry corals is doing a 10% off until the end of April, other dealers run their own offers periodically also.

We also have our $499 and $599 specials at present, and a very limited $449 offer also all listed in the forum

Regards
Michael
 
TConcreteReefer - howdi. There's actually a group of us trying to decide between the Profilux and the ACIII. We've been offered some discounts if we do a group buy on the ACIII (this has been handled via PM rather than on a forum).
Have there ever been any group buys for Profilux? A decent discount would push me over the edge and I'd commit to buying now. I'd also have to check with the other folks who are about to buy the ACIIIs, to see if they would be willing to switch companies. I can't speak for them.
Los
 
AQD - how about a group buy? I just participated in one that totaled over $30,000 with a lucky vendor. It was also a good deal for us and it brought all 17 of us together to buy one brand, so that manufacturer should be pleased as well. This could be a win/win.
Los
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12374422#post12374422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Los
TConcreteReefer - howdi. There's actually a group of us trying to decide between the Profilux and the ACIII. We've been offered some discounts if we do a group buy on the ACIII (this has been handled via PM rather than on a forum).
Have there ever been any group buys for Profilux? A decent discount would push me over the edge and I'd commit to buying now. I'd also have to check with the other folks who are about to buy the ACIIIs, to see if they would be willing to switch companies. I can't speak for them.
Los
Click to expand...

Los-

Group buy sounds like a great plan- count me in if the price is right. I'll figure out what kind of package I need and PM you with the info.

If you decide to go ACIII- lmk, I have a dealer working with me- he put together the package I wanted and the savings was over $350 compared to retail.
 
We will always ask our dealers to listen to group buys.

But there is one thing that will never happen, we will not allow dumping of prices literally giving away kits just to get a sale.

There are three amazing deals already being offered $449 $499 and $599, none of our dealers could go lower than those prices, it simply would not be worth us or them selling the equipment. These are rock bottom prices providing a huge level of control from an amazing controller.

The ProfiLux stands above all others because it offers way more than any other controller on the market, once you start putting together packages of other controllers to get close to what the ProfiLux basic packages come to you generally are already above the ProfiLux cost, and still without the many of the ProfiLux's key features.

It is also worth remembering that yes Ok you may pssibly get an AC3 a bit cheaper to start with but then your stuck with it, ask yourself has it got the huge level of advanced features, is it going to, does it have the level of support offered, and more importantly is there an active upgrade program that you get with the ProfiLux, with new features being brought online weekly.

A controller purchase is a big purchase, please dont just be guided by the initial price, becuase once purchased you are sort of stuck.

And where else do you get active support like this :rollface:

Best wishes
Michael
 
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I should add that if you go with the ACIII, be prepared to have some money on the side for when the temp probe goes bad.

Before buying this superior controller, I had the AC Jr. and I literally went through 4 temp probes before getting a stable one. My friend bought an AC Jr. and in less than 3 months of usage, he is already on his 4th temp probe.

Also, take a look at the Neptune System forums, they obviously are having more problems with their controller's peripherals than GHL Profilux. Buying the Profilux for me was money well invested and will last me for years to come.
 
I have no doubt the Profilux is worth the extra money- Just like anything in life, spend a little more now and it will save you in the long run (most of the time).

Group buy would benefit both partys.. There is always room to wiggle when your talking about volume, nobody's asking for prices below actual cost- just better than retail.

Customer service is a big deal with me btw- My equipment reflects that- Tunze,Roger- ATB,Victor- ATI,Greg (maybe Profilux,Michael)... all super nice guys that take care of their customers...
 
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