Profilux 3EX-My Review and Set Up Guide

[DonaldLL]

Please make this a sticky!

AQD_ottawa, I have my Profilux Christmas Package on order, I have received an Optical level Control Kit as a gift. Other than this I know only that I wanted a Profilux controller but I know nothing about how to 'make it work'... I don't even have my tank yet. I was about to order the additional optical sensor and splitter (as you stated above) so that I can do ATO and AWC but when I called in the order I was told that I don't need 2 sensors to do this. Is there a reason you prefer using 2 sensors as opposed to 1? This is not about the expense of the extra sensor but it is about me beginning to understand how all this works!

Thanks

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi,

Not sure who told you you dont need two sensor to do ATO AND AWC however you do!

If just doing ATO you just need one, if doing both you need two, otherwise you would not have an upper and lower level sensor

I am now going to be away for the rest of the week (surgery YUK!), so any further questions I will rely on our great community to help you out

Best
Michael

 

[meinestrasse]

Re-post from Aqua Digital's set-up guide, as it looks like no action has occurred on that forum for several months.

I have the Profilux 3ex, Power6D-PAB and 4-unit slave dosing pump. I've got three probes: temp, salinity and pH.

I've read thru this forum and the other set-up guide here on RC and have tried my luck at reading the programming guide and manual (terrible English translation IMO).

What I'm having trouble understanding is how to use the Powerbar6D-PAB. The Powerbar connects to the Profilux via a network cable. The Powerbar has LEDs for S1 thru S6. If I plug the slave doser into the S1-S4 port on the back of the Profilux, am I sacrificing 4 outlets on the PowerBar6d-PAB to the doser since 4 of those outlets on the Powerbar are associated with S1 to S4?

Also, what do I do in the ProfiluxControl software under Sockets? Do I click the checkbox for 'Digital powerbar coonected on S1-S4'? And what are outputs 1-24?

 

[this is me]

Plug the doser in the S1-S4.
You must configure the PAB powerbar on the controller and set the starting socket to be S5. You don't sacrifice anything socket otherwise this would be a terrible waste.
Leave the socket checkbox on the ProfiluxControl alone.

 

[meinestrasse]

Thanks. So on the physical device I go to System menu, I have the choice to select 'Digi. Powerbars' and 'Configure PAB'. According to the Programming Guide, 'Digi Powerbars' is for setting up dosing units. So I set the Di Pb to 'Yes' for S1-S4 and 'No' for S5-S8, correct? Then I go to 'Set numbering' under Digi Powerbars' and set Powerbar startnumber to 1 <default>?

Then I go into Configure PAB (which is presumably for my Powerbar6D-PAB, although my programming guide doesn't cover this menu), then to Configure Device>Set Numbering and set Startnumber Switching output to 5, correct?

 

[this is me]

I think you got it. I don't visually remember what's on the controller menu but it's really easy to tell if it works or not. But I don't you got the main idea here.

 

[tonyf]

Nick, this is fantastic ... you should write a tutorial manual on how to manipulate the Profilux It would unlock the Profilux mysteries for us non-IT dummies. I'd be your first customer to buy one.

 

[Heliman]

Ato

Ato

Hi all,

I am busily setting up a new 200 gall reef tank and I will have the Profilux as my controller/monitor of all the usual parameters.

I have been reading about the ATO protocols here and I am a bit puzzled about how to utilise in-line solenoids to control RO production into both the tank (for ATO, via an accumulator vessel) and the holding/storage bin (for AWC)

If a solenoid is put into the OUTPUT line of the RO system, and controlled by the Profillux level system, when the solenoid is "off" wont that leave the RO unit still pressurised from the mains water supply ??...would this not be risky??

Is it appropriate to have the solenoid positioned BETWEEN the mains supply and the RO unit, so whenever the Profilux decides there is sufficient water produced and shuts off the solenoid, then the mains pressure is isolated from the downstream system.

I could then have the solenoid EXTERIOR to the fish room and minimise the potential for a pressurised system to let go for whatever reason (Murphys Law !!)

Would appreciate any comments/insights

Thanks

 

[Antipodes]

Hi all,

If a solenoid is put into the OUTPUT line of the RO system, and controlled by the Profillux level system, when the solenoid is "off" wont that leave the RO unit still pressurised from the mains water supply ??...would this not be risky??

Is it appropriate to have the solenoid positioned BETWEEN the mains supply and the RO unit, so whenever the Profilux decides there is sufficient water produced and shuts off the solenoid, then the mains pressure is isolated from the downstream system.

Thanks

Hi,
Most RODI units have a switch off mechanism built into the unit and that is how they work. I personally have a 20 ltr pressure tank that the RO unit fills and I run my ATO solenoid off the line. Having a reservoir at the end of the unit for me means, the tank fills up and pressurises, when up to max fill the pressure builds until the auto switch on the RO unit turns it off.

RO units are not very efficient if being switched on and off all the time for very short duration. It is also damaging to the membrane doing continual short runs.
You could put a ballcock on a open reservoir and reduce the on off time with this and put that out of the way so you fell that you are not as exposed to rupture.


I think I have answered your questions? But feel free to ask away!

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I have mine on the mains pressure side of the RO unit so the Membrane is under no pressure. This eliminates the need for storage tanks

 

[FrankieNYC]

hows the profilux? thinking about getting it...thanks for your input

 

[this is me]

The Profilux is doing great!! One of the best reef equipment I've bought in the hobby. Once set, it never miss a beat. I don't even have to touch the controller or any of my equipment now. I just use the phone to see the tank parameters when I need it.
I really think the Profilux and the doser unit is perfect to keep the headache out and the enjoyment in this hobby. Even when I upgrade to a bigger tank(300gallon), I still think the doser will handle the amount of supplements needed. Unlike a calcium reactor where you have to keep an eye on your effluent and CO2 rate, the doser is really set and forget.

 

[bennr]

If I am getting a profilux 3 will it be possible to control my 3 tunze 6055 and nano wavebox? And what do I need to do this? Will I be able to control all separate or what are my options?
Anyone using tunze and profilux right now?

 

[this is me]

If I am getting a profilux 3 will it be possible to control my 3 tunze 6055 and nano wavebox? And what do I need to do this? Will I be able to control all separate or what are my options?
Anyone using tunze and profilux right now?

Get the P3ex. It has a couple more 1-10V ports and this is what needed for controlling the Tunze. It's worth the extra $$ IMO.
If you want to control the 3 pumps separately, you'll need 3 available ports. They are called 'L" port. L1/L2 and L3/4 are a single-port at the back of the profilux so you'll need a splitter.
In your case for 3 tunze stream and a wavebox, you'll need 2 splitters to split the 2 ports to 4 ports. L1-L4. You go from there and configure it in your controller. The Profilux offer more modes than the Tunze controller and allow more flexible in terms of the power of the pump.
I'm currently using only one 6055 at 0-80% power on a sinusoidal wave. Used to run two but one is all I need with the return I have.

 

[bennr]

The only reason I was not considering the p3ex was because I want to remote mount my p3 controller and then go to the tank with a pab connection to an expansion box......
Is the pab connection just an Ethernet cord? Also how many of these pab connections are at the back of the controller?

 

[this is me]

Why wouldn't the P3ex do what you want with a P3. It's everything P3 and more L ports and conducivity port(I might have left more features out).
Give Mike or GHL or BigAl a call.

 

[bennr]

I just don't really need all those extra ports at the ghl unit itself......I want to use an expansion box instead.....my ghl unit will be about 20' away from my tank.....you know what I mean....

 

[AQD_ottawa]

The PAB connection is just a cat 5e ethernet cable and you can daisy chain as many PAB devices from another PAB device.

There are two PAB ports on the back of the ProfiLux and the expansion box, this is not restrictive due to the topology of the network (daisy chain)

In your case i would go with the P3 and then the expansion box, we can build you a kit at kit level discounts to meet your requirements. Just drop me an email to sales@aqua-digital.com

 

[bennr]

The PAB connection is just a cat 5e ethernet cable and you can daisy chain as many PAB devices from another PAB device.

There are two PAB ports on the back of the ProfiLux and the expansion box, this is not restrictive due to the topology of the network (daisy chain)

In your case i would go with the P3 and then the expansion box, we can build you a kit at kit level discounts to meet your requirements. Just drop me an email to sales@aqua-digital.com

I sent you an email..... Thanks!

 

[Heliman]

Why doesn't anybody offer us kit-level discounts in Aus ???....or is that a stupid quesion :headwally:

If it wasn't for the different plug configurations, I would order my Profilux from USA. I am so fed up wih the lack of inventory/range/support for Reef equipment and supplies here, I even have my whole system driving through a large 240 to 110 Volt converter and change the plugs on the equipment I buy from USA.

But I am a bit concerned about fiddling with plugs on an expensive Profiux system !!!