Profilux or Neptune ?

toxai · May 12, 2023

Hello.

After checking all the parameters periodically (almost daily) and do everything manually, I've been thinking about adding a complete aquarium controller for ALL possible. This way I'd be able to save time and have my parameters stable. For now I have anything of this kind, not even an ATO, but if I get it, I'll get an all in all.

This said, I was just next to order a Neptune system but I've been told that this is a very complicated system and knoledge on informatics and programming is required. As an alternative, in my local fish store, they've recommended profilux. They said it's easier to use.

You must have in mind that I am a beginner, and I have not knoledge on informatics and electronics at all. So, I'm basically asking for your advice.
Thanks,
Regards.

FTW-Reef · May 12, 2023

It will almost certainly be another year until I can pull the trigger as well (was close to it last summer and then life happened), but one of the big draws for the GHL I saw from research last year was the Ion Director (with no reagents needed).

I recall seeing there might be something in the works to also gauge phosphate, but not sure where that is in development. From what I’ve read though, there a ton of happy users of both systems…

ION DIRECTOR - Automated Ca, Mg, K, Na and NO3 testing made easy! - GHL Advanced Technology

www.aquariumcomputer.com

n2585722 · May 12, 2023

I know this controller you did not mention but I use the Hydros system and it controls my Heaters, cooling fans, skimmer, return pump, lighting, ATO, AWC, All For Reef dosing, KH buffer dosing, RODI. It will automatically refill my DI reservoir when it goes low from the RODI. It will transfer the water from mix tank to fresh saltwater reservoir if the mix tank water is ready to use. Once it is transferred it will refill the mix tank from the RODi. All I have to do is add the salt mix and press a button when it is ready to use. It also imports alkalinity data from my KH Carer to use with dynamic dosing of the All For Reef and KH Buffer. They are coming out with a new controller with 4 dosing pumps and a pH and salinity probe port. They will also have a vessel you can use for testing the alkalinity and salinity in. It has two probe holders and a stirrer and is a good companion to the X10. The X10 will also have 4 sense ports. The sense ports is where temp, water level, leak detectors, flow sensors, TDS meters and various other sensors are connected and they do get used quickly on larger systems. I currently have all 18 of the ones I have in use. I have a build thread here on R2R that has a lot of information on how I use the Hydros starting on page 7 if interested. I am very happy with the Hydros system. Click on my build thread contributor badge to get to my build thread.

saltyfins · May 12, 2023

I have GHL, and I love it!!! Unfortunately, I'm not really smart enough to figure it out. it's easy I guess, if your "techy"...me? no Not even close. then again, fish food confuses me...so there's that. But I really love my system.

Lps_lover12 · May 12, 2023

I have a Neptune system and don’t have any complaints. It’s truly amazing what you can program them to do, I can’t say anything about the other controllers as I’ve never used them. As far as programming works you learn it pretty quickly and it seems a lot more daunting then it actually is. There’s also a Facebook group for Neptune users and it’s super helpful for any questions. Customer service for me with Neptune has been top notch. In the end it is up to you and what fits your needs, you will get a different answer from everyone but do your googling and watching videos to see which one works best for you. I haven’t heard much bad about hydros so check them out too, they all have their benefits and flaws so you just have to pick the best one for you

areefer01 · May 15, 2023

toxai said:
Hello.

After checking all the parameters periodically (almost daily) and do everything manually, I've been thinking about adding a complete aquarium controller for ALL possible. This way I'd be able to save time and have my parameters stable. For now I have anything of this kind, not even an ATO, but if I get it, I'll get an all in all.

This said, I was just next to order a Neptune system but I've been told that this is a very complicated system and knoledge on informatics and programming is required. As an alternative, in my local fish store, they've recommended profilux. They said it's easier to use.

You must have in mind that I am a beginner, and I have not knoledge on informatics and electronics at all. So, I'm basically asking for your advice.
Thanks,
Regards.

First set a budget
Second build a requirement list
Third from the requirement list above make a must have list
Fourth start comparing across Neptune, GHL, CoralVu (ruling out DIY/Pi/Arduino open source solutions as you said beginner)

Hobbyist will give you an opinion but it may not help you. Rather set your budget, requirements, and must haves then review the over the counter solutions. Then come back and ask specific questions so we can help better. Otherwise we are going to give you our biased opinions (I do not mean that disrespectful) as to what we use and/or like.

bushdoc · May 15, 2023

I've had Apex Aquacontroller for several years, few models. Newer models are easier to use and don't need direct connection to computer, wifi and smartphone app is more than enough.
Few weeks ago bought GHL Profile mini-it is a solid piece of equipment, but you need PC to upload new firmware for full functionality. I might be biased after many years with Apex, but GHL reminds me of old times with MS-DOS programming or Windows XP. For ease functionality I would go with Apex, if you are IT specialist-go with Profilux.

Kato · May 16, 2023

I had all GHL stuff for 3 years (except ION). Reliable for sure. Switched to Neptune A3 for new tank. Like it much better. More sensors, better UI, more usable powerbar and much much more reliable connectivity. In the EU.
Neptune side I have pretty much all sensors and modules as well including trident. Can’t comment on long time reliability yet. Also much easier to program and set up IMO. My 2C.

Mike1970 · Jun 12, 2023

I’ve had an apex and a GHL and I’m back to the apex! GHL hardware is really nice and built well but the software sucks (at least when I had it about 6 months ago) I couldn’t get the KH director to be consistent no matter what i did , updating new firmware sucks you needed to plug it into a computer, dont know about now but when l had that’s how it worked all that was a turn off for me, the apex does not have the best hardware but what you buy will work (maybe for a short life) but I can work with that whatever breaks buy a new or contact customer service (if its still under warranty) hook it back up and it works again, with GHL not so much.

Gut Pile · Jun 14, 2023

I'd avoid apex until they resolve the SD card corruption issue. If it fails on - which mine did and you are not careful and away it could kill your tank, burn your house down. Lots of bad stuff.

brian222 · Jun 14, 2023

I had A2 Apex on my first tank, bought a Profilux 4 and KHD for my new system, and after 8 months of use I replaced my GHL equipment with A3 pro, here is my opinion on both systems from my experience:

GHL pros:

Equipment build quality: very solid and feel like a high-end product
Reliability: there was no hardware failure during the 8 months of use

GHL cons:

Software UI/UX: GHL connect app UI looks a little outdated compared to Apex Fusion, I found that programming logic in GHL connect is not as intuitive as in Apex Fusion.
Connectivity issue: I have so much trouble connecting the device to my home WiFi network, even after the connection was established it constantly reconnects, and sometimes stays disconnected for hours, this was quite frustrating to me as I couldn't connect to my device enable feed mode.

Apex pros:

Larger online community: it is a more popular aquarium controller system in the US, so many more online resources are available so it is much easier to find help with anything about your devices.
Software UI/UX: it is just much better compared to GHL connect now, the app has a more modern layout with the capability to program individually with code, which you can easily find many examples online, copy and paste to the outlet code editor and it is good to go. Also the similar programmable logic in GHL can be achieved using virtual output in Apex.

Apex cons:

Hardware build quality: Apex equipment build doesn't quite much with the price level imo, also modules like EB832 and flow sensors have known quality issues, which is frustrating. I had to replace the 12V PSU in my EB832. Another example is I had to replace my Apex A3 Pro main unit after 4 months of use as one of the aquabus cable ports is toasted for an unknown reason.

I switched back to Apex mainly because I enjoy Apex Fusion more (also it is more reliable in terms of connectivity), and also I already invested in other equipment in the Apex ecosystem. IMO the major advantage of Apex over GHL now is it is able to connect to Ecotech and AI devices, if you use their lights/powerhead it is much more convenient to control them within the Apex app (as Mobius app is not really great).

bushdoc · Jun 14, 2023

Same observation and similar exercises as brian222.
GHL reminds me of early days of Windows computing when you had to do lots of programming in MSDOS. Too much for me now. Apex is much more intuitive, but unfortunately hardware is lower quality especially peripherals like DOS. I would still go with Apex.

toxai · Jul 17, 2023

First of all, thank you to every single one of you that contributed here to solve my question. You provided a lot of super valuable information and different points of view. I just feel much more informed on what to consider at which of them am i taking.
Secondly, sorry for the extremely late reply. This is likely the first time I'm logging in back in months. Sometimes life gets suddenly busy .