Could I get a little aquarium Controller knowledge?

reeferreefing27

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
21
Reaction score
11
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
GHL ProfiLux 4 Aquarium Controller vs Neptune Apex?
Can I get some options and why ones better than the other? I'm sure there about the same but what does what better?
 

Flippers4pups

Fins up since 1993
View Badges
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
18,493
Reaction score
44,499
Location
Lake Saint Louis, Mo
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
GHL ProfiLux 4 Aquarium Controller vs Neptune Apex?
Can I get some options and why ones better than the other? I'm sure there about the same but what does what better?

Bump. There's more users with Apex than the GHL, so let's see what others say.
 

Muttley000

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 24, 2017
Messages
1,781
Reaction score
8,341
Location
West Unity, Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Kind of Ford vs. Chevy in my opinion. I'm an apex user and like it. In my opinion until you list what you want it to do ranked in order of importance you will just get opinions on who likes what, and grab the popcorn for that lol! What are the 5 most important things you hope to have it do?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

Reef Chemist
View Badges
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
89,230
Reaction score
92,241
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’ve never used any of the hobby brand controllers so cannot usefully comment except to say I don’t recommend measuring salinity 24/7 with them. Too many reported problems .
 
OP
OP
R

reeferreefing27

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
21
Reaction score
11
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Reliability, consistent readings, able to control everything with it, not a pain in the *** to use. Graphinging results/charting to be able to track things
 
OP
OP
R

reeferreefing27

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
21
Reaction score
11
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm curious what is better about each one over the other? I'm sure they're the same other than those couple things
 

NS Mike D

In the arena.
View Badges
Joined
Dec 19, 2017
Messages
2,266
Reaction score
4,539
Location
Huntington. NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Reliability, consistent readings, able to control everything with it, not a pain in the *** to use. Graphinging results/charting to be able to track things

and what are the things you consider everything? Not only functionality, also specific brand of gear as some products are designed to be used with certain controllers while others are simply controlled with power on and off.
 
OP
OP
R

reeferreefing27

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
21
Reaction score
11
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Lighting, pumps, skimmer, power heads, times other the day the types of settings they're on I have all eco tech and vertex products right now if that matters with ghl dosing pumps on the way
 
OP
OP
R

reeferreefing27

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
21
Reaction score
11
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Also I like the idea of leak detection with emails/ emails on total tank info in general with thousands of dollars invested
 
U

User1

Guest
View Badges
GHL ProfiLux 4 Aquarium Controller vs Neptune Apex?
Can I get some options and why ones better than the other? I'm sure there about the same but what does what better?

You may get better traction if this was moved to the controller sub forum. Having said that I own a Neptune and a Reef Angel currently. I know the RA isn't on your list but it is another option with regards to a open source product. I've looked at, and examined, a GHL so figured I can somewhat talk about them a little (tiny :) ). Let me see if I can help.

Apex - I've owned one going back to their original controller with X10 relays. Good customer support. Products work. Reliable - at least I've had good success with them even when my young German Shepherd picked up the head unit on the one I owned in 2001 thinking it was a chew toy. Still worked. Chatting with one of the support reps he giggled and said one of his dogs did something similar. Lots of add on products like dosing pumps, ATO's, and other add on components / modules. You can point and click to add and configure or go advanced mode and write code. The single presentation layer pretty much has all you want from PC, Mac, Mobile, or Tablet. My only complaint to be honest with Apex is that their Apex line of products seem toyish. More on this in a minute.

Reef Angel- I've owned one for about 7 years now and it was my primary controller until my recent upgrade. Open source. Somewhat cheaper initially compared to other products and based on Arduino. Similar I guess to a lot of the Pi boards you see. Anyway RA has some really outstanding custom libraries which is why I still use it for half of my lighting today. Things like tides, geo location, weather, storms, etc - I've not seen how to do with the Apex I own yet. I've had it monitor about the same has the Apex with temps, ph, lights, and power heads. It worked and never had a problem once I understood how Arduino worked. Apex is mostly controlling my tank but the RA with its custom libs is tough to beat. I've not seen any of the off the shelf products come close.

GHL. I've not owned one but I went to a LFS who had one running. They are pretty and well built. Remember my toy comment above with the Apex? You won't get that here. The two controllers for similar price points and coverage one is built like a F-15o and the other is built like a Kia. I'm not bagging on the Kia so maybe I should say those old Yugo's or even a Ford Pinto :) My point is the GHL team did an amazing package job and it is modern. That is about all I can say about it since I can't comment on its programming or presentation layer. As a controller it would have meet my needs. The only reason why I didn't go with it is because I never owned GHL products before so went with what I knew. That and at the time there was a sale.

Point in this, and maybe the TL;DR version is...make a pro and con list. I think in general either will meet your needs. If we can remove our own personal biasness the price and feature set should be what draws you in. And the two you picked are the main players in our market today. They are not going anywhere.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 34 27.9%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 42 34.4%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 27 22.1%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 11 9.0%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 8 6.6%
Back
Top