what's the best controller?

[jdarr]

Hey guys,
I am hoping to get some advice on controllers. I was using the neptune aqua controller junior, but upgraded recently to the neptune Apex unit (since the outlet portion was giving me trouble and out of date). I have had it about three months and though it was amazing initially, I have recently had a lot of problems. The section that everything plugs into has been replaced three times. twice for simply quitting altogether (leaving my lights on all night... poor fish looked like they were at a rave when I woke up lol) and then again when the PH reading were a complete erratic mess. (before you ask, yes, I replaced the probes and calibrated them... more than once). I am looking to dump this unit and get something more reliable.

I'm looking for something with 2 PH probes/control, something that can run at least 8 outlets individually and something that is flexible in programming. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!

[psyrob]

It seems your next best bet is the Reefkeeper lite level 3...has 8 outlets, temp, I think the level 3 has two ph probe slots...Or maybe the Reefkeeper elite

[moondoggy4]

Proflux

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Proflux

Yep. Not cheapest, but best.

[Shard]

I have two Apex units in use and have not had any major issues with them. Had to get the backlights fixed in the displays, and one outlet needs to be fixed for sticking, but that is it over the course of a year and I have about 11 modules in use total.

I would suggest staying away from the RKE/RKL lines from DA. There are quite a few issues with those products, both hardware and software based. I had constant headaches with them before I switched to the Apex, and I think the facts are clear, that the Neptune Apex line is far superior to the DA RK line.

The open source Reef Angel is good a option if you like to tinker with things. Not the most robust on the feature front, but from what I have seen/heard it seems to work reliably.

As mentioned above, the Profilux is another option, but I feel it is really overpriced for what you get. It is a good product and was one of the first major controllers with an array of features, but the price has not dropped over the years and many of the other controllers out there do the same things for a lot less. The expansion cost of the Profilux is the most prohibitive part of the equation for me. The new 6 outlet PAB power bar costs $319.20 at Progressive Reef.

There are some other controllers coming out soon that might be of interest. The Vertex Cerebra is going to be a new touch screen controller based on Android. Think along the lines of an iPod touch kind of device. That, if it works as promised, will probably be the best controller out there.

Hope this helps,
Landon