|
05/13/2015, 12:30 AM | #51 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 12:39 AM | #52 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 12:45 AM | #53 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 198
|
Quote:
You're still excluding a large amount of people that use other brands of LED's and pumps. Ecotech and AI may be popular, but they represent the mid-high end market. I would venture to say, and correct me if I'm wrong, that there are just as many or more people using other fixtures (mainly chinese fixtures). Same for the vortech pumps. A lot of people use them, but what about the ever so popular Jebaos or Gyres or any of the other generic powerheads available? The only way to accommodate everybody is to use the modular system. No one or two or even three companies have enough of a marketshare to have all their products built into one controller. Ironically, if there was one company that had a huge market share in one niche in the aquarium trade it would be Neptune. IMO the modular system makes sense and is not as much of a cash grab that you made it out to be. |
|
05/13/2015, 12:55 AM | #54 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 06:23 AM | #55 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10,344
|
Btw, GHL can control Tunze pumps out of the box.
If you want to control Vortechs you can buy the module. They can also control their own Mitra leds out of the box. But ya, there is no way to make everyone happy.
__________________
-dennis Elos Diamond 120xl | Elos Stand | Radion G4 Pros | GHL Profilux Controller | LifeReef Skimmer | LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M. |
05/13/2015, 06:52 AM | #56 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Houma, LA
Posts: 4,743
|
I suspect if ETM go into the controller game it would be software based through ecosmart live with communication interface modules. It would totally surprise me if they had a "brain box" like apex. Again, IF they get in to the controller game it would be shooting themselves in the foot to not make interface modules for other kit, including analog kit.
__________________
Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS |
05/13/2015, 07:26 AM | #57 | |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Quote:
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs Last edited by ca1ore; 05/13/2015 at 07:42 AM. |
|
05/13/2015, 07:40 AM | #58 | |
New Old School
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Luzerne County, PA
Posts: 3,293
|
Quote:
I, for one, like the modularity of my Apex. My system was (and will be again in a few weeks) on two floors, so I can attach some components in the basement, such as my ATO components and DOS, and other things on my tank, such as Tunze pumps. |
|
05/13/2015, 07:47 AM | #59 |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
One other thing to consider .....
I have attempted to eliminate as much 'failure potential' from my system as possible though the use of select redundancies. The one thing that consistently worries me is the fact that much of my system runs through a single point of failure: Apex. Modularity has many advantages, but it also 'diversifies' failure points that an all-in-one would not. But, I am happy with my Apex, so I suppose this logic doesn't count.
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
05/13/2015, 07:57 AM | #60 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 08:00 AM | #61 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 08:15 AM | #62 |
RC Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 4,870
|
Bower-
From EcoTech I wanted to thank you for your feedback. We DO listen to our customers because we are fellow hobbyists and are surfing the same boards, attending the same events, and keeping the same organisms in our tanks. While I can't comment about projects that we may or may not have in development, there's no doubt that some of the points you've hit upon are very relevant. Don't let negativity bring you down either. I don't think people are necessarily being mean to you in this thread, they're just providing their own opinion and it may differ a bit from yours. Keep up the suggestions, ideas, and desires for us or for anyone else. It matters to this hobby.
__________________
Tim Marks President EcoTech Marine www.ecotechmarine.com If the above information doesn't help you, please contact us at 1-800-785-0338 ext. 2 or by e-mailing [email]support@ecotech |
05/13/2015, 08:35 AM | #63 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 08:43 AM | #64 | |
RC Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 4,870
|
Quote:
__________________
Tim Marks President EcoTech Marine www.ecotechmarine.com If the above information doesn't help you, please contact us at 1-800-785-0338 ext. 2 or by e-mailing [email]support@ecotech |
|
05/13/2015, 09:02 AM | #65 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Thank you! And I just had another one. I would like to see the sensor ports and power block be one unit. Less clutter, less wires, and less places for something to go wrong. Same as before, but if modularity is so important to some people, could you make the input section changeable? I just did an Hydra upgrade to my old Sol and I like how the unit was designed so the end user could upgrade it. So with that, make the board inside the controller have input ports that you can attach anything to. So if a user wanted PH, Salinity, Temp, and 4 float valve ports, they could just buy those input ports and connect them to the board. Kinda like the wireless module on the Vortech pumps. You want to add ORP? Just add this port to your controller. Now all the haters would say, "Isn't that the same as modules". No, it's still all in one unit, less wires, less cost because you don't have to pay for plastic housing-bus cable-packaging, less connection points to go wrong, and people don't have to pay for what they don't want. I would still include wireless built in and control of your own brand products built in. Same increased outlets but just make the input area changeable. Hmm again just a thought.
|
05/13/2015, 09:08 AM | #66 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 10,344
|
Quote:
The box is like your pc at home. If you need to add another ph port, open it up and add the ph expansion card. It comes with ports for ph, temp, conductivity, orp, level sensors... but sometimes you need extra. If something breaks, open it up and replace it after they send you the parts. This is great because you don't have the down time from having to send your whole unit back to the company to get it fixed. I'm sure if Ecotech made a controller it would be pretty smart and well done. Would just need to have something that differentiated itself from the others.
__________________
-dennis Elos Diamond 120xl | Elos Stand | Radion G4 Pros | GHL Profilux Controller | LifeReef Skimmer | LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M. |
|
05/13/2015, 09:11 AM | #67 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 12:51 PM | #68 | |
VP, SDMAS
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunny San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,309
|
Quote:
__________________
Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress |
|
05/13/2015, 01:00 PM | #69 | |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Quote:
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
|
05/13/2015, 01:26 PM | #70 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 01:29 PM | #71 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 04:36 PM | #72 | |
Randy_BRS
|
We need a new Controller Ecotech Please Save Us!
Quote:
As an avid Apex user I can completely agree with these comments ^^^^ I also agree that not any one type of controller will be a perfect fit for everyone. I see why Apex is at the tip of the spear right now in the controller department because of the vast array of products that are compatible with their system. Everyone's choices for lighting fixtures, powerhead pumps, dosing pumps, etc. are going to be different. There's far too many choices out there! But, for people who use specifically EcoTech Marine products (like myself), an ETM controller would be VERY enticing! And who knows, were they to produce one, maybe they would start to build a base of "EcoTech Controller Compatible" equipment produced by other companies??? (Much like the "Apex Ready" products.)
__________________
8x24" ATI Dimmable w/Blue ReefBrite Tech strip; Apex Lite (2EBs, PM1 Module, BBox); 4x MP10QDwES; Custom Emerald 26 Trigger; Skimz SM203; Vectra M1; GeoCR612; MasterFlex 7523-60; Digital CO2Reg; Current Tank Info: 93g Reef (Mixed, mostly SPS) Last edited by RandoReefer; 05/13/2015 at 04:45 PM. |
|
05/13/2015, 04:48 PM | #73 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
05/13/2015, 04:58 PM | #74 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Tujunga, CA
Posts: 1,443
|
Quote:
We all want innovation. Personally I am VERY much looking forward to the Mindstream system which will most likely be supported by Neptune. I'll happily buy the module for it when it comes out, if it happens to need one to integrate with my Apex. I am hoping it does everything they say it will, at which point I will probably also buy a Neptune DOS and start dosing instead of using kalk. I'll also be glad I chose not to buy the salinity module and probe, since they'll no longer be needed. That's the great thing about the modular system. I'm not buying things I don't want/need. The Mindstream will make a couple of things on my system redundant, like pH and temp, but I'll probably still use them because they're at a glance on the Apex head unit.
__________________
"Get a reef tank!" they said. "It'll be relaxing!" they said. 65g mixed reef, 30g display fuge, 20L sump/pod fuge, ATI 4x24 + 2 Kessil A360NEs, Aquamaxx EM100, Gyre 130 |
|
05/13/2015, 05:18 PM | #75 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greenville, Pa
Posts: 411
|
Quote:
|
|
Tags |
apex, controller, ecotech, neptune, reefkeeper |
Thread Tools | |
|
|