Which controller to buy?

jason2459 said:
I highly recommend reeftronics.net to everyone that has just about any kind of controller. Its free (donations welcome and given) and nice way to get an external check and alert via email and text if you system is no longer reachable. I like his charts and easy read out of the current status of your devices.
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That's really a great point. If you are out and your power goes out then the apex can send you a text message letting you know. You would need to use a UPS though to keep the unit running long enough to alert you.

If you have reeftronics then it can also alert you. You will be notified from reeftronics if you lose power because it can't connect to your controller anymore.
 
+1 on the Profilux if your budget can accomodate it. I did have an RKE and the original RK, and must admit I had several issues with it.

I have heard great things about the Neptune Apex.
 
I actually got the RK because it was initially cheaper. But when you look at the big picture, its really not. I think one of the nicest things with the controllers is the network option, which is an option on the RK, standard on the Apex. So on both entry level systems, you are already ahead with the Apex. So with the forums talk , tech support issues, the money that you spend on the Apex, its well worth it. I also like the bigger display on the Apex, I can see and read it more easily when I'm in the house. So I sent the RK back, unopened, and ordered the Apex Lite. Do your homework!

If you do get the apex, dont forget to order the pH calibration fluid for the probe!
 
symon_say said:
Again, why is profilux better than apex/reefkeeper?? what make's it so special??
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Nothing really. It is made of higher quality materials and is more bug free, but Neptune is also very high quality and have very very few bugs....any bugs are quickly dealt with. I have never had any kind of bug when using any of the 3 Neptune controllers(ACjr, Apexjr, and Apex) I have owned over the last 6-7 years.
The Apex can do pretty much anything the Profilux can do, save for a few more advanced things with probes that the typical hobbyist will never use. The Profilux has more integrated hardware like dosers that are nice.

I will say that Profilux and Neptune are better than Digital Aquatics. I would feel great having either of them on my tank. Profilux is great and has great support, just is pretty expensive. DA is spotty slow support from what I have experienced and read about. They seem to have more problems and it takes them quite a while to deal with them, like salinity and SL2 problems.

ReefAngel is another one to look at, I have seen nothing but positive reviews. A little less popular at this point, but they do seem very aggressiv in getting things like Vortech control out. I have yet to see a negative review, but again there are few people using it ATM.

Cerebrus by Vertex may be out some year, that will be another good one.
 
Meh, its on temporary backorder from holidays and popularity. Im sure it will be caught up and back to normal and everyone will survive. Probably every single piece of reef equipment has gone on backorder at some point.....

Neptune also moved to larger facilities and is hiring more people.....
 
BS on the people switching because Apexs are difficult to program, they are not. They are just as simple as any controller using the general programming provided in the PC programming. More advanced programming has a little bit of a learning curve, but is simple as well. BTW, there have been hoardes of people jumping from ReefKeepers to Neptune, Profilux, and even ReefAngel...not the other way around
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I have had all three and by far the Profilux was the easiest to setup and get running. I am a computer novice and didn't like the Apex because of the programming. Everytime I wanted to set something up I needed help with programming.
If time is this then that
If weather then this and that and so forth.
I go to the Illumination in Profilux, select my AI channel and set up the time schedule and intensity. If I want clouds I check the box ( Not if this then clouds) like Apex. I find the Profilux easier to deal with. I never had any problems with the Apex, worked fine. I am not a programming wiz. RK, never again.
 
Yes, the Profilux has a more comprehensive UI than the Apex, with many options, one I like being variable ramping for Tunzes. But the Apex has a web interface that makes basic programming like lights, pumps and dosing very very easy. I have yet to see anyone displeased enough to jump ship on them, especially to RK.
 
I know a controller isn't an absolute necessity for a reef tank.
But when I get my 40B all set-up, an Apex by Neptune Systems will be part of my system.

I've heard too many good things and read too many good reviews...
 
I have yet to see anyone displeased enough to jump ship on them
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I did. But I am probably the exception to the rule. If the programming would have easier (IMOP) I probably would have stayed with the Apex unit. I do agree that I don't think anyone would jump ship for a RK.
 
bayoupr said:
I did. But I am probably the exception to the rule. If the programming would have easier (IMOP) I probably would have stayed with the Apex unit. I do agree that I don't think anyone would jump ship for a RK.
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You really found it that bad? Well, crap, now I can't post what you quoted me anymore :D I don't really get into the complicated programming, especially now the worst I have is dosing pumps, so it does not bug me as much. But the Neptune forum ahs been great helping me in the past. Maybe if Neptune had something similar to what Profilux does, with a multiple tabbed program to fine tune everything it would be less. Well maybe in the future as they seem to be growing....

I do like Profilux very much though, and would be my only other choice of the main three.
 
ZOKU said:
I know a controller isn't an absolute necessity for a reef tank.
But when I get my 40B all set-up, an Apex by Neptune Systems will be part of my system.

I've heard too many good things and read too many good reviews...
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Once you have a controller, you will see that it is as close to as being a neccesity as there is. Almost mandatory needs are things like tet or email warnings when things go south, or automatic temperature controlled things like killing lights if too hot, and water sensors that will stop pumps.
 
^^^^ +1. I went a couple of years without one, but a controller makes things alot easier than without. James77, my mind runs on an older CPU model which has limited updates available.:spin1:
 
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