What is the best!

[renato120]

Hey guys, Im finally able to buy a controller for my 60g cube. Soon will upgrade to a 120g
My badget is around 1200 maybe a little more...
What is the best controller?
Apex? Im looking for a controller that I will be able to check almost everything wile Im not home. Im not familiar with any controller... But since Im able to buy now im looking for the best.
Thank you.

 

[Joeganja]

Apex gold $800 I believe

 

[bayoupr]

For me, GHL Profilux. I have an older Profilux 2 probably 8yrs old and still going strong. It was easy to setup and program for my needs. The newer models can do much more but like everything else, the price is also higher.

 

[pickupman66]

The best controller for you may be different from everybody else. For me I am using the Archon from Digital aquatics and I love it. It is extremely easy to program and Wi-Fi capable out of the box. With new cloud services coming soon it will be easier to access anywhere in the world. Apex is also a good controller but does not fit my knowledge base. I would not recommend the ReefKeeper lite as it will not be robust enough for a system of your size.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I agree with pickupman66. It's like asking what's the best spaghetti sauce....everyone will have a different answer. So I'd recommend you look at the popular four brands and see which one will best fit your needs.

 

[renato120]

I agree with pickupman66. It's like asking what's the best spaghetti sauce....everyone will have a different answer. So I'd recommend you look at the popular four brands and see which one will best fit your needs.

Got it! And what is the four brands? I know Apex is one of them. Is the one i hear more about it...

 

[rajkovich207]

Personally I've always had my eye on reef angel. It's open source, it does take a bit of programming but there is a wizard on the site that allows you to type in what you want and it compiles the code for you. Very flexible as its based off an arduino mega 2650 and has add-ons for just about anything you want.

 

[redfishbluefish]

The four controllers that immediately came to my mind were:

Digital Aquatics Archon
Neptune Apex
Reef Angel
GHL Profilux

The Archon is relatively new controller from DA and because of the total flip in product direction, I'd stay away from anything labeled ReefKeeper......I've got to believe that they will drop support on ReefKeeper's, if they haven't do so already.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I wish I would have gotten something different. The apex is nice but they slack in multiple areas and don't seem to care.
Half the functionality is in the old interface and not the new website. They expect ya to use the old interface to do things instead of saying "yes we'll have that all ported to what we toot in advertising!"
Functionality of Ecotech products lacks several key features, since the discovery of this Neptune has released 4 brand new products.
The conductivity solution is subpar, dealt with odd readings since day 1, but it's "normal".
The energy bars are overpriced. The customer service really isn't that great.
There's a complete lack of simple programming that is inherently supported in the languages they use.
The lack of a wifi solution is appalling because there's multiple ways to do firmware updates over wifi without a problem, heck even my 60$ tv does firmware updates just fine.
Bring up any of this stuff on the Neptune forum and you'll get any number of excuses or padding from several individiuals who obviously work for the company to keep their image better.
Temp probes they make, out of the box read different values, though they're calibrated at the factory...
Their 100$ feeder is a rebadge of a 40$ feeder that's so incredibly loud and gums up if you don't use 1mm pellets or larger.(the 25$ eheim feeder tops this by far)
I probably have a few other gripes that aren't coming to mind right now, but all in all I feel I just about wasted 1200$ on all the stuff.
I'm on the fence about how I feel about it, but really am thinking of trying another brand.

 

[FDAWG]

APEX for sure.

 

[n2585722]

The Archon is relatively new controller from DA and because of the total flip in product direction, I'd stay away from anything labeled ReefKeeper......I've got to believe that they will drop support on ReefKeeper's, if they haven't do so already.

I guess you are not aware that almost all the modules for the RKE/RKL are compatible with the Archon. There are a handful that are not at this time like the NET module but it is not needed with the Archon anyway since it has built in network functions.

 

[renato120]

Honestly this is very complicated To find a good controller. Its not easy as I thought it would be to buy one. I only knew apex, and reefkeeper. I need to see reviews of the other brands... I know everyone have their own opnions to each brand.. That makes it harder to me, who doesnt know nothing about it Yet. Lol
I want something good and reliable...

 

[n2585722]

First figure out what you need it to do at time of purchase. Make a list such as
Control heater
Control cooling fans
Control water top off
Monitor pH
Monitor Temp
Monitor Salinity
Monitor ORP
Etc

Figure out which controllers will do what you need. If you don't know ask someone with the controller in question if it will do what you need.
Some are easier to program than others. They all have their quirks and issues. The number 1 thing is will it do what you need it to do. Once you narrow that down then you will have to choose the one that appears to fit you situation best. The ones listed are all good controllers. The Archon is the newer of the bunch and has a lot of untapped potential at this point.

 

[evolved]

I agree the question is pretty much a "what's your favorite color" question, but by and large Apex is the most popular. Usually, things are popular for a reason. ;)

 

[renato120]

I think Im gonna buy the Apex gold. Still searching.....

 

[reefhobby]

Hey renato120 it's cube45reef

 

[evolved]

Unless conductivity is important to you, the Gold is probably overkill.

 

[renato120]

Unless conductivity is important to you, the Gold is probably overkill.

What do you mean "conductivity"

 

[evolved]

The gold includes a PM2 and a conductivity probe (which effectively measure salinity).
It might be worth a few hundred dollars to put some thought to the concept if constantly measuring salinity is necessary for you.

 

[renato120]

The gold includes a PM2 and a conductivity probe (which effectively measure salinity).
It might be worth a few hundred dollars to put some thought to the concept if constantly measuring salinity is necessary for you.

Ok! Thank you