profilux questions
 

Hi guys - great reading here - I'm going to be setting up my first salt water aquarium and trying to decide b/n aquatronica and profilux.

I have few questions on the profilux
1) which tunze powerheads are compatible? do I just by the powerhead? or do I need a separate interface/controller from tunze
2) will the profilux do wave programs itself with the tunze (i.e. replace wavemaker they have)?
3) I am thinking about a Sfiligoi soloset pendant with 150 w metal halide, 2 t5's and 2 moon lights - can I dim the t5's with the profilux?? or just turn them off and on
4) if I go with the lan card can I just hook it up to a wireless access point which then connects wirelessly to my wireless router? or do I have to go with their wireless card??
5) how do the led's connect to the profilux
6) how does the fan accessory connect to the profilux
7) if I went with the following setup what expansion would I have left - 2 float sensors (or optical), 1 ph, 1 salinity probe, 1 profilux fan setup, 1 red led, 1 of the special effets led, 1 lan port, 2 tunze pumps controlled separately (takes up 2 telephone jacks), 1 digital power bar, 1 analog power bar

thanks for the info

i can only answer a few of these questions but hopefully it helps


I have few questions on the profilux
1) which tunze powerheads are compatible? do I just by the powerhead? or do I need a separate interface/controller from tunze

you can use any of the powerheads. you can buy cables for the profilux that connect it to the tunze drivers. if you buy the deluxe model profilux it comes with 2 of the tuzne cables.

2) will the profilux do wave programs itself with the tunze (i.e. replace wavemaker they have)?

i should be getting my wavebox tomorrow and will see but i may just end up using the tunze controller since it comes with it anyway. the profilux does have the ability to control wave units. not 100% on how it works with the tunzes.

3) I am thinking about a Sfiligoi soloset pendant with 150 w metal halide, 2 t5's and 2 moon lights - can I dim the t5's with the profilux?? or just turn them off and on

you would have to contact sfiligoi to see if their ballasts are dimmable. the profilux will dim any lighting as long as the ballast are dimmable.

4) if I go with the lan card can I just hook it up to a wireless access point which then connects wirelessly to my wireless router? or do I have to go with their wireless card??

not sure on this one, i have the WLAN card so not sure about your idea, it sounds like it would work

5) how do the led's connect to the profilux

i believe they connect to the telephone ports in the back

6) how does the fan accessory connect to the profilux

it uses one of the 'L' outlets on the controller. you have to also have the fan controller in order to hook it to the profilux, it is cheap though. i have it but am waiting for a 'y' adapter to attach to the profilux. for now i have the fans on a timer to come on with the MH. but when it is connected properly fans act as variable speed fans the profilux will increase or decrease the fan speed depending on the temperature selected.

7) if I went with the following setup what expansion would I have left - 2 float sensors (or optical), 1 ph, 1 salinity probe, 1 profilux fan setup, 1 red led, 1 of the special effets led, 1 lan port, 2 tunze pumps controlled separately (takes up 2 telephone jacks), 1 digital power bar, 1 analog power bar

i'm not sure on this one, maybe jason from proline can help with this one.

hope this gives you some insight

colin

1. The Profilux if you buy the complete kit comes with cables for the tunze's I dont know what tunze are compatable as I dont use them

2. I beleave the controler replaces the wave maker

3.The profilux can dim T5's if they have a dimmable ballist

4. I dont have the dambdest idea I was kind of woundering this myself LOL

5. Again I dont have the dambdset idea I was woundering this my self as the LED's are one of the next things I want to add

6.The fans can be just pluged into one of the power bars and the socket programed for cooling or the cool way to do it is to buy the propeler controler it is a speed control you use one of the L1or L2 ports

7. by the looks of it you would have one expantion slot left

Hope this helps a bit

Doug

Firmware 3.00beta and new manual is available now. One firmware for Profilux II and Profilux Plus II. Please note.. this firmware is in beta-status!

qustions
 

ok niloc16 so you mention that you are waiting for a y connector to connect the fans to the L1 port - so does this mean that you have all of your L ports used up? because they ports are labelled L1/L2 I'm assuming that you can connect 2 devices per port but need a y connector. Is this right.

I also remember reading that if you connect 2 tunzes to L1/L2 that you can't operate them independently - you have to use L1/L3 which takes up 2 ports. I'm concerned about the amount of L ports I will need. So by similar logic I'm assuming that if you have more than 1 LED you will have the same problem - i.e. use L1/L2 but not control them independently or use L1/L3.

Can you comment on these ports?

if my lighting had dimmable ballasts how does the profilux dim them - via a ramp down on voltage through the electric plug on the ballast or a special connection between say a L port and the light itself?

Thanks

progamming questions
 

ok guys so I'm full of it today (questions that is).

So I've programmed home automation systems before and wondering if the programming is the same on the profilux
i.e. if water level sensor #1 is on (i.e. triggered) then turn on outlet #4 for 30 seconds (and outlet #4 would have top off pump on it).

is this like what you would do ??

2) can you program function keys on the controller i.e. have different lighting scenerios - i.e. one button to trigger feed mode, one button to run a macro that would signal a nother lighting mode. i.e. my tank will be in my home theatre - so could I program a movie mode where by the MHs go off, fans go off, actinics off, moon lights on - when I press a particular button on the controller?

Thanks

Hi bullit,

cleaning depends on your water quality, they should be cleaned any 3-4 weeks.
Service: pH and redox probe should be calibrated any 3-4 weeks, the other probes need not to be calibrated.
How to clean: Carefully with smooth brush

Hi Ginzo

" Can you explain to me how the dimming lights work ? For example, currently I have two Giesemann Nova II lamps (150 watts HQI) with electronic balast. Will I be able to dimm those lights ? If yes, what is required ?"
as Marc wrote MH can't be dimmed

"Also, I'm looking at purchasing 2 Sunlight Supply 36" Ready Fit T5 Retrofit Fixtures (2-bulb, 2x39W). It comes completely assembled with TEK Reflectors and a 8' power cord. Features a major brand ballast. My question is, will I be able to dimm those T5 Fixtures with the Profilux II controller, if yes do I have to purchase an extra ballast..or anything else ?"
Marc: There is no need for additional cards when you want to control a dimmable lamp. ProfIlux has 4x 1-10V outputs (dimming control signals) on board.
Ginzo: If your lamp has dimmable ballasts you just need an interface between ProfiLux and ballast. If not: Replace the ballast.

dimmable
 

metthias - excuse my ignorance, but I'm probably going to go with the profilux - and want to purchase my lighting with the dimmable t5/t8 capbility - so I understand I have to make sure the ballast for the t5/t8 is dimmable, but how do I know if I can then interface this with profilux? what brands work etc?

Hi bourbon,

you can use any dimmable ballast with a so called 1-10V-interface ! This is a standard interface.

And here some general information:

1. As you know firmware and ProfiLuxControl 3.00 beta are available for download now. Additionaly the new manual can be downloaded. At the moment only a preliminary version - not all translations are ready. You will recognize the red font -and maybe the german text:-(
BTW: Anyone able to translate it?

2. Although the firmware is extended with a lot of features it was not possible to implement all wished features in this version. But: The next version is coming soon (i did not forget the "dosing wishes"). Please wait some more days - it was important to get this version ready now to make ProfiLux compatible for the new powerbars.

3. Digital powerbars are developed, tested and in full production. We will ship them very soon.

BOURBON

I will warn you about putting it in your home theater I am HT nut my self I dont have a dedicated HT room and my tank in at the opposit side of the house from my HT gear I was whatching a Movie one day while I was waiting for my water change water to warm up I went to check on my water and noticed all my fish were stressed out my Red sea sail fin was very dark (His colour goes dark when he is stressed) I could nt figure out why untill the sub fired hard and all the fish freaked. I was shocked to see this as I had never looked at the tank when my HT system was running. also dont forget about the humidity and the noise a large salt system makes.

Dont get me wrong it would be cool I am not shooting down your idea just would hate to hear you went through alot of work and expense and then start running in to problems.

Doug

thanks so much i'll keep this in mind. g

Matthias

Is it safe to touch the clear membrane of the probes with a soft brush?

Thanks Doug

[quote=bourbon;235116]ok niloc16 so you mention that you are waiting for a y connector to connect the fans to the L1 port - so does this mean that you have all of your L ports used up? because they ports are labelled L1/L2 I'm assuming that you can connect 2 devices per port but need a y connector. Is this right.

1. you can have a 'y' adapter on each 'L' port (sorry i dont know the exact name of these ports) making a total of four. currently i have each tunze connected to a seperate port. when i get the adapter i will have tunze1 connected to L1 and the fan controller connecte to L2 and tunze2 connected to L3

I also remember reading that if you connect 2 tunzes to L1/L2 that you can't operate them independently - you have to use L1/L3 which takes up 2 ports. I'm concerned about the amount of L ports I will need. So by similar logic I'm assuming that if you have more than 1 LED you will have the same problem - i.e. use L1/L2 but not control them independently or use L1/L3.

2. you dont have to have both tunzes connected to L1/L2. read my last answer

[quote=bourbon;235117]ok guys so I'm full of it today (questions that is).

So I've programmed home automation systems before and wondering if the programming is the same on the profilux
i.e. if water level sensor #1 is on (i.e. triggered) then turn on outlet #4 for 30 seconds (and outlet #4 would have top off pump on it).

is this like what you would do ??


1. the controller is exactly like that. you can have the unit perform automatic water changes without you even being home by using float switchs, pumps and what not.

2) i do not believe you can alter the programming of the buttons on the display unit to control different things, although the keypad on the display head does mostly all you would need, feeding pause, sensor outputs, lighting demo, and so forth

When can we expect to get the digital powerbars in the U.S.? I currently have a Profilux Controller without any powerbars. Just waiting for the digital ones.

question for Matthias
 

Hello Matthias; quick question about the simulator LED
-I will be getting a new ~60 gallon, 36" x 18" x 20" tank
- If I use the simulator LED for morning and night time (red and blue) lighting before my power compacts and HQI come on- (and for lightning effect) - how many will I need for this size tank? should I go with the strip or the little box type?

what size of propellor fan should I get also for this size tank?

Thanks

Hay guys
Matthias is on vancation till next sunday ,so if you don't hear back from him right away ,you can always try to locate him @ one of the spanish beaches in Europe:lol: :lol:
I am sure he will answer all questions as soon as he is back
Regards
Jason

Any luck with getting Ecotech Vortechs to work with this product yet?

i believe they are still discussing this issue, thats the last i heard anyway

No word on that yet .:sad:

Can someone tell me what is the diameter of the probe? Is it like the pinpoint probe at 5/8". I need to make my probe holder and like to have the exact measurements for my sump. Thanks a lot!

Richard
All those probes are the same size

Thank You Jason!

Profilux WLAN?
 

I need some help with getting the WLAN setup. My wife (she's an IT Networking Project Leader) and I have spent about 10 hours trying to get the Profilux to connect via WLAN to our PC. We are both running out of patience.

My first questions is do you need to use the serial LAN connection cable (PC RS 232) in order to establish the inital Ad Hoc connection? This is the only way we were able to establish an Ad Hoc connection. Once this cable was diconnected we would lose the IP address.

Many more question to come.

Chris

I'm not sure about WLAN, but with LAN I did not have to connect with the serial cable first. I just installed and configured the Lantronix software and the COM redirector and it worked with no problems at all. Ofcourse, WLAN could be different? not entirely sure...

mnsps, you do have to use the serial cable intially to do all the settings. but i have the EXACT same problem as you. i tried for a week and gave up and still have not hooked it up. i would do all the setting with the serial cable hooked up and when i would disconnect it and try to connect it was lost. a couple pages back big blue posted his way of connecting to wlan, you could try that and see if it helps

niloc,

The WLAN was a big reason why I purchassed this controller. My computer is upstairs with my aquarium being downstairs, so WLAN is a must. What type of wireless router are you using?

niloc16,

At what point during the installation are you supposed to disconnect the serial cable? Do you need to turn the Profilux controller off and then back on once the serial cable is disconnected? It's not very clear in the instructions.

MNSPS
Matthias will be back on sunday ,I am sure he will chime in.
Meanwhile feel free to ask the question here
http://aqua-it.de/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=29
Also have you updated your firmware yet?

Have not updated my firmware yet. One day I went out to check and see if the download was available and it was. The next day I went out to do the update and the download was not there? I went out there yesterday and it was there, went out there today and it's missing again. Am I going to the wrong site? Here is the link were I'm going to: http://www.ghl-kl.de/Produkte/Aquari.../download.html. Do you know what new functionality the update offers? All the new text included in the updated English manual is German:sad:

It is right there in that page.with the red date on the left ,it was updated on 02/09/07.
http://www.ghl-kl.de/Produkte/Aquari...LuxII_V300.zip

I know he is working on the new added features in english ,It should be ready soon:biggrin:
We needed this update ,to be able to use the digital powerbars,there are a few more features that Matthias has worked on as well,that might not be on this update ,therefore there will be also another update again soon.:mrgreen:

msps. i have not got my wlan to work so really i'm the wrong guy to ask for help. as far as when to disconnect the serial port i have not idea. i think it is when the program states that the setup complete or whatever it says. but when i do that it will never connect up again.

[quote=niloc16;236108]msps. i have not got my wlan to work so really i'm the wrong guy to ask for help. QUOTE]


Have you trayed recently or did you give up?

i havent tried since you posted your latest version of doing the setup. i have given up for now because i was getting so P.O'd with it. i'll wait until the full firmware version is available and do it all at once. the issue with trying now is to disconnect the controller all my lighting, skimmer and what not shuts off because the powerbars shutdown

WLAN is working!!!
 

Just wanted to let everyone know I was able to get the WLAN working. Very happy.:biggrin:

what was the trick? did you follow big blues list?

Hi All

some customers had problems with WLAN here, these have been the reasons:
1. They did not do exactly what we had written in the turial
2. Incompatibility of WLAN routers or access points - in ALL cases a firmware update of these devices (eg of netgear devices) helped

To setup a connection between the ProfiLux (or better: the PLM-WLAN) and your PC a serial or LAN connection is NOT neccessary!

Here all important steps (in short form):
1. Maybe you did before some bad settings - then reset the WLAN-settings in the ProfiLux (with the keys). After reset a hardware reset (power off) is recommended.
2. Use "DeviceInstaller" to search the WLAN-ProfiLux (=WiPort)
IMPORTANT: This is only ad-hoc, directly from PC to Profilux, possible! Dont' use a WLAN-Router or access-point, use the PC-WLAN-card!
And disconnect any LAN-interfaces in your PC - they might confuse "DeviceInstaller". And for the time of the setup: Disable your WLAN-router and all other WLAN-devices.
3. Assign static IP-address to the WiPort
After that: Do your WLAN-settings and continue as in the tutorial described.

Please let me know at which point exactly you have the problems.

Netgear Router and WLAN
 

My Netgear Router WGT634U with the (out of the box) firmware 1.4.1.5 works fine with the WLAN. Tricky is only the encription and IP settings. Pay attention on the little details as Matthias explained.