Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite Trial Run

[boboxx]

Hey Jeff, the Neptune Controllers are pretty good and are prety stable also, I would keep it. The new Apex is a nice controler also.

[jtreath]

Thanks Christian. I did look at the Apex after I posted this. But since Neptune is still touting the NC III I will keep it as originally planned. Afterall, I did get all the probes, a DC4HD and DC8 to go with it. I would hate to have to change over everything unless there was a really big need to.

[kevin S]

I second that, Neptune has been in this business for long time. I have the original Neptune and controls all my lights, pumps….., but now I’m looking to upgrade….Apex so far has proven to be an excellent and very reliable system. For the price that you pay it has the same capability as of the higher price GHL Profilux, and the bonuses is that you don’t have to pay an Arm and a leg for additional components, power bar…and with Neptune your probes are interchangeable , that means you don’t have to buy specific GHL product .
IMO they are both excellent products, and currently I’m unsure which one I should buy…my wallet says Neptune, but really I want GHL Profilux………

[gonewyld]

The only thing I have ever owned is the Profilux.

If you are anything like me just knowing that you researched and got the one that was best suited for your use ......should prove you did your homework and satisfy you.

But in my short period in this great hobby one things I have learned...if you buy something because of budget restraints you will always look back and wonder...hmmmm did I do the right thing....and will always want the bigger better piece of hardware. or at least that was my experience.

this hobby is in no way an INVESTMENT its is a money pit that sucks and sucks ....LOL.but if you do buy something do your homework and prepare to just buy it once and or upgrade later...either way it will cost you the extra

[cindyreef]

Im anxious to see if this new AD controller will do what I want it to.
(actually Im not even sure what I do want it to do anyways)
all I know is that it has to be simple. And make my testing etc simplier. If its too complicated then I want a different one...

[kevin S]

I hear you…I don’t even want to fathom on how much I have spent in the last 15 years in this hobby…. And I never ever… ever buy any thing with a detail research, lessons learned from my first few years in this hobby.

Now there is only $100-$200 difference between the two, and I have Profilux stand alone dosser and it’s a wonderful , set and forget unit…..and really $200 is peanuts to the amount $$$$ I’ve spent. But when it comes to all the other components and the upgrades’ we are talking $1000s…… and the parity of our $ does help with Neptune but not with Profilux…go figure. With all the negative points that I have mentioned I’ll probably buy Profilux in the very near future.

[jtreath]

I hear you all on the Investment issues.. that is the BIG reason I am still sitting with everyting in boxes and closets. I have gathered the equipment over the years.. then sort of run out of financial resources (Cripes.. $12,000 in equipment..yikes) and could't afford the wood for the stand and entertainment unit....lol So instead of starting it piecemeal I kept delaying it until now. But.. my Neptune equipment is all still sealed in the boxes.. AC III, DC8, DC4HD and 2 Lab Grade pH probes and Temp Probe.. so I was toying with the idea of selling it all .. as Unused and sealed equipment if it made sense to make a jump now.. as opposed to going forward and wishing I had upgraded. However, after comparing and looking and thinking.. I am still happy with the Neptune

[kazam]

Kevin, wait a little longer. Vertex is coming out with a Controller. I was speaking with my supplier today, actually, we chat on the phone like 3 to 4 times a week about products. I can only tell you one thing about it. It is going to be open source.

[in2deep]

(04-22-2010 12:46 PM)cindyreef Wrote:  Im anxious to see if this new AD controller will do what I want it to.
(actually Im not even sure what I do want it to do anyways)
all I know is that it has to be simple. And make my testing etc simplier. If its too complicated then I want a different one...

one thing I will say Cindy is that you will find the DA products very user friendly and straight forward to use ... Had to be for me to figure it out so quicky ...LOL ..

[Nathan]

I have been looking at the Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper and the price tag seems perfect. I have also been looking over the Neptune Apex Lite especially where it now has the controller for Vortech MP40W pumps. I also like it that Neptune has an iphone/ipod touch app for controlling your system remotely.

I am interested in the outcome on this thread. My mind is not made up between these controllers but I am currently leaning towards the Neptune with my research. A module from DA to control vortech pumps would do a lot to sway my decision from Neptune's Apex Lite.

I would be really interested in knowing if you try to the the A & B Switch connections for float switches for ATO or preventing a sump pump from running while dry. The system I will want to eventually get needs to be able to control a basement sump and sense an overflow spill in a display tank. I know I can baffle a sump to limit water spills but I would to completely avoid it instead! The neptune seems to have more connections on it's module for switches but you need to purchase that module as extra I guess you could always put switches in series on the Digital Aquatics module to have more sensors and avoid buying the extra switch module for DA to.

I like the feature on the Digital Aquatic Lite that you can set the length of time to power a ATO pump after a float switch triggers the DA Lite.

[cindyreef]

(04-23-2010 11:19 PM)in2deep Wrote:  

(04-22-2010 12:46 PM)cindyreef Wrote:  Im anxious to see if this new AD controller will do what I want it to.
(actually Im not even sure what I do want it to do anyways)
all I know is that it has to be simple. And make my testing etc simplier. If its too complicated then I want a different one...

one thing I will say Cindy is that you will find the DA products very user friendly and straight forward to use ... Had to be for me to figure it out so quicky ...LOL ..

I hear ya Don :

[Kodadad]

Any updates after working with this for a while>?

[cindyreef]

Yeah....I was wondering too.

[in2deep]

havent found any fault about it yet folks , gets very easy to work with the longer I have it . its got so many uses that I wont be switching it out any time soon

[boboxx]

that's good to hear, have you done a firmware upgrade on it yet? what version are you running on it?

[in2deep]

right now Im running the 2.0 firmware , alot of nice easy access features with the upgrade . No bugs to be seen so far !