Questions about the Profilux II Light

[Variansyn]

So one of the guys at my LFS, which has given me a great deal of knowledge and direction for my FW tanks, has referred me to this section to get some help with my eventual setup of a SW tank some time soon.

He and I were having a discussion about lights and I've been looking into LED's for quite some time. He made mention of AI units with a profilux controller for the cloud simulation, moonphase, sunrise and sunset. From what I've read and seen so far - I'm impressed. Although still new into the hobby and yet to setup ; I've been researching as much as humanly possible.

Now admittedly, although it can change - I've been looking into RK and Neptune controllers. But after some videos and digging around on threads I see that I definitely want to go Profilux for the light controller for my LED's. My problem lies in what exactly to buy.

Could the Profilux II Light work for what I need concerning lighting by itself ? Do I need a controller, say the Plus II EX paired with it (Profilux II Light) and kick my choices of the Apex and RKE to the curb ? Money is somewhat of an issue, although not extremely tight. I've got some good deals I'm ready to jump on concerning the RKE (from a buddy who carries it and owes me a favor) and the Profilux II Light (same guy). But if the better option is one of the more featured Profilux Controllers and the Light Bar paired - I'm not exactly opposed to it.

Thank You

Ronel

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

Well first welcome to the most sort after controller club on the planet

The ProfiLx in terms of LED control and for that matter other onboard control functions is in no way in the same league as other controllers, you cna not compare apples to apples here, for instance only the profiLux can offer future proof design and in terms of Ai control cloud simulation and lightening effects and full weather pattern modelling even rain effects.

But ProfiLux is not just a bag of weather pattern modelling tricks it is a high powered computer (not just controller) that comes with industry leading German reliability.

ALL ProfiLux's offer Ai control with the simple use of the Ai cable that comes free when purchasing a profiLux controller if requested at the time of purchase, so you are not having to pay for anything else to connect Ai's to the ProfiLux, so instantly the cost of the ProfiLux starts to fall.

The software for the profiLux is free also and has been developed over the past 10 years to give the state of the art features now found.

When you start to really dig into the ProfiLux and what it offers you will find many features come as standard where others require modules or do not have the features at all.

What profiLux to go for depends on budget but I would look at the profiLux plus II beginner pack and ask for the Ai cable to be thrown in for free, the cost would be $599 and here is a list of the onboard features

Temp
Ph
Ai control
full dimming control of various devices
Tunze control
pending release of Vortech control
Level control x 2
Auto water change ability
Auto water top up ability
more timer functions than you will ever need
8 illumination channels
Moon phse modelling programmable to your geographic location
Cloud simulation
Rain simulation
lightening simulation
sunrise
sunset

This function list expands further to

ORP
Salinity
Humidity
Air temp
Oxygen

well the list is massive really.

One big thing to note is when you buy a Profilux you buy it for life, the unit is future proof, a profiLux plus II can be upgraded to a profiLux 3 or a Plus II EX or a ProfiLux 3 EX, this is unique to profiLux, you may spend a bit more but you get bullet proof reliability, and not have to worry about in 3 years having a obsolete controller.

Phew, think I have covered all bases Let em know if I can help further.

 

[Variansyn]

Thank You for the information.


As far as your external display (not quite sure if my stand will accommodate the face of the Controller itself in complete access), can we use other displays or is it limited to your Profilux View II ? The reason I'm asking is I have quite a few display units (color control as well), not to mention if I did purchase it - I'd have to gloss it black to match the stand. Where as if possible and to save the dough for my skimmer, I'd like to use one of the few available to me if possible.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

No you have to use a factory display unit for external view, but of course remember the ProfiLux is PC driven so everything is viewable on the PC or even your I-Phone

 

[li mike]

Hi, I am interested in the profilux, I know you said it works with the I phone, does it work with mac computers? I have a macbook pro.

Thank you
Mike

 

[Variansyn]

Hi

No you have to use a factory display unit for external view, but of course remember the ProfiLux is PC driven so everything is viewable on the PC or even your I-Phone

Ok no problem.

I'm not really a Mac or "I" anything kind of guy, any future support for Windows Phone / Mobile ? I know your app shows that it works with PC's and that's great.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

Will answer both in one reply

Yes to Mac you just run it in parrellel (emulator)

Other APPS are being made for all phones at present

 

[hyper1]

can the controller dim Metal halides using a dimmable ballast? or will it only dimm
LEDs.

If so which Profilux model will the have that feature set.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

It will dim ANY ballast that has a 1-10V dimmable input option, I am not aware of any HQi ballasts that have this input though.

ALL GHL controllers have the 1-10V dimmable option.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

You are welcome Please let us kow if we can assist in anything for you.

 

[kuyatwo]

I have the profilux II plus what does the profilux 3 do that my profilux 2 plus doesnt do. I am looking at the upgrade package on the ghl direct website it doesnt give info on what are the new features

http://www.ghl-direct.com/proddetail.php?prod=pl3u

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Infinate expandable
Access to all new PAB accessories (Vortech module etc)
Webserver
Onboard email client
Built in ethernet (wireless capable with use of a bridge)
onboard USB
Future proof