Tank Controller for 75 gallon

[jpnh23]

Been reading a lot of threads trying to figure out which controller to go with. As of this moment it's come down to the Apex & profilux 3. I want to be able to control the normal things such as skimmer, return pump, powerheads & heaters. Also will be considering running as my ATO and automatic water change system. My goal is future proofing my purchase as i am just starting into corals. So down the road im looking into upgrading the tank to minimum size of 180 gallons as well will be purchasing either vortech or tunze powerheads. My main concern would be reliability, as i have read with the profilux is top notch. Biggest question regarding the Apex would be how often do they fail and have to send them in for repair?? At that price point, i guess you really cant beat it for what it does.

Also looking into dosing. I know the profilux has the slave doser, But they also have there stand alone unit which is supposed to be really good. AT this point i have read so much my brain hurts so i figured i would ask the specifics that i would need.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced. Adam

 

[James77]

Both are great, profilux will give you least chance of failure, though Neptune is still extremely reliable. In about 8 years I have sent in one module for repair with downtime of a week. The slate dosing is nice, with the Apex you will have plug in dosers. I prefer the Alex, but my control needs are minimal as well.

 

[moondoggy4]

Both units would work great for you, you could build off any one, it always comes down to price. There is a learning curve to owning one of these controllers, that's why two of my controllers have still not been hooked up.

 

[USC-fan]

Been reading a lot of threads trying to figure out which controller to go with. As of this moment it's come down to the Apex & profilux 3. I want to be able to control the normal things such as skimmer, return pump, powerheads & heaters. Also will be considering running as my ATO and automatic water change system. My goal is future proofing my purchase as i am just starting into corals. So down the road im looking into upgrading the tank to minimum size of 180 gallons as well will be purchasing either vortech or tunze powerheads. My main concern would be reliability, as i have read with the profilux is top notch. Biggest question regarding the Apex would be how often do they fail and have to send them in for repair?? At that price point, i guess you really cant beat it for what it does.

Also looking into dosing. I know the profilux has the slave doser, But they also have there stand alone unit which is supposed to be really good. AT this point i have read so much my brain hurts so i figured i would ask the specifics that i would need.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced. Adam

Its pretty simple. profilux 3 is the best option for you. Reliability of the apex it very hit or miss.

Profilux claim to never have to replace a unit from failure, other than user error[water damage]. That is a pretty bold claim.... apex on the other hand biggest claim[customer service] is getting unit back to owners after they break.

 

[cobra9]

Its pretty simple. profilux 3 is the best option for you. Reliability of the apex it very hit or miss.

Profilux claim to never have to replace a unit from failure, other than user error[water damage]. That is a pretty bold claim.... apex on the other hand biggest claim[customer service] is getting unit back to owners after they break.

USC your very off base on pretty much everything you post other then neptune customer service being great.

Apex's are not hit or miss. They are most likely the best selling controller by a large margin with very good results.

Thats not to say proflux isnt a great controller. If I had no ceiling to my budget I would own one.

 

[wolfador]

Have you looked at the Reef Angel? It is open source so very expandable.

 

[USC-fan]

USC your very off base on pretty much everything you post other then neptune customer service being great.

Apex's are not hit or miss. They are most likely the best selling controller by a large margin with very good results.

Thats not to say proflux isnt a great controller. If I had no ceiling to my budget I would own one.

:debi:

sorry, telling people gravity feeding ato is a good idea is just stupid... sorry that upset you.

And that cone skimmers are not something special as proven by third party tests. Not my option.....

And that this topic[apex/proflux] was just talked about in the advance topic forum. Funny that the same apex issues came up.

Man i sure dont know what im talking about. I bow to your knowledge.
Here is the thread on apex/proflux
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2138163&highlight=apex

I was only questioning his reason for getting a Apex, and thats all it was.
My decision to get a Profilux was based not needing to return it for service, and not how fast I can get one back.

I guess people see things different, that is why it caught my attention.

 

[cobra9]

:debi:

sorry, telling people gravity feeding ato is a good idea is just stupid... sorry that upset you.

And that cone skimmers are not something special as proven by third party tests. Not my option.....

And that this topic[apex/proflux] was just talked about in the advance topic forum. Funny that the same apex issues came up.

Man i sure dont know what im talking about. I bow to your knowledge.
Here is the thread on apex/proflux
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2138163&highlight=apex

I just don't even know where to start......

There is nothing wrong with a gravity feed ATO. Same as a pump feed ATO is fine. Its all in how you set it up.

As far as cone skimmers being special, I think I said I wouldnt buy a skimmer based only on a cone design. I only questioned your use of the word fad. I still think your wrong but we will have to agree to disagree on that. I think 5 years of use is no longer a fad......

As far as apex vs proflux... Like I said if money was no issue I wouldnt mind playing with a proflux, but I wouldnt put down another controller just because I think another is better. I may post pro's and cons, but your portraying the apex as a problematic controller. The fact is it is most popular controller right now and has show to be very solid.


You can bow to my knowledge but knowledge isn't the issue. I learn new things every day. Its for what ever reason you feel your right and everyone else must there fore be wrong, instead of everyone having a opinion and others opinions have as much merit as yours.

 

[USC-fan]

You can bow to my knowledge but knowledge isn't the issue. I learn new things every day. Its for what ever reason you feel your right and everyone else must there fore be wrong, instead of everyone having a opinion and others opinions have as much merit as yours.

"USC your very off base on pretty much everything you post other then neptune customer service being great."

I think you posted that, not me. You are entitle to your opinion but i back up everything i post. I dont waste anyone time giving out bad advice.

 

[cobra9]

"USC your very off base on pretty much everything you post other then neptune customer service being great."

I think you posted that, not me. You are entitle to your opinion but i back up everything i post. I dont waste anyone time giving out bad advice.

I was talking about this post not previous postings.

You said "Reliability of the apex it very hit or miss. "

Which is BS.

Then you said "Profilux claim to never have to replace a unit from failure, other than user error[water damage]. That is a pretty bold claim"

Which may be true..... No idea. I do know 2 people using proflux and 1 had a failure.... Its out of warranty so they have a expensive door stop. I also know many using apex line(full, lite, jr) 1 had a issue that was resolved by CS. None have had any out of warranty issues, but only a couple are out of warranty.

Again these are the only things I have personally seen. I have read or seen online many other things.

 

[USC-fan]

I was talking about this post not previous postings.

You said "Reliability of the apex it very hit or miss. "

Which is BS.

Then you said "Profilux claim to never have to replace a unit from failure, other than user error[water damage]. That is a pretty bold claim"

Which may be true..... No idea. I do know 2 people using proflux and 1 had a failure.... Its out of warranty so they have a expensive door stop. I also know many using apex line(full, lite, jr) 1 had a issue that was resolved by CS. None have had any out of warranty issues, but only a couple are out of warranty.

Again these are the only things I have personally seen. I have read or seen online many other things.

You said off base on just about everything I post...

I would have never thought you would have no idea but have a good "story" to back up what you say with "friends." Cool story bro! But not to call you a lair but i find it hard to believe the controller was made a "expensive door stop" because let me quote proflux here since you didnt even bother to read the thread I linked to...

The question was"But I'd still like to know, are Profilux controllers break down proof? Has there never been units returned to Profilux, resulting in down time?"

The answer:
"Don't usually answer anything on these threads as they should stay unbiased. BUT a direct questions has been asked and I will answer it.

The answer is not to our knowledge and we are the distributors, I am not aware of a unit to date that was not due to drop kick shipping methods. We had a run of a few LCD screens not like being shipped where a crystal line would go down, and these screens were sent to the client meaning no down time.

ALL GHL units are bench and soak tested prior to shipping to us, each unit has a QC sticker on its bum with the date of testing and engineers initials, a unit does not leave the factory without this. Furthermore as the unit uses solid state architecture there are no wearable components to fail.

My own unit was build in 2002, it started as a Plus II, was then upgraded to a PLusII EX and now upgraded to a p3EX, the main board which is the most important component is still the original board.

Yes we have had units require repair from water damage or miss use, but even then the controller does not have to come back to us, ProfiLux is modular in component and self servicing, so if a client has the miss fortune of breaking theirs and need a controller working next day we can fast track the part to them, this is also done at 0% profit margin meaning all spares carry no up charge from manufacture,so if you have an accident we don't profit from it, why should we? we all make mistakes don't we "