A week ago I finally got the controller that I have been waiting for, the Hydros Control 4 from Coralvue. I hooked it up right away, and took me couple hours to setup everything, mainly mounting the power strip and managing wires.
End result:
It might not look too impressive, but comparing to previous, It's a lot better. I don't really feel bother to tighten up the last couple loose wires.
For the controller, I'm pretty happen with it. The value it provide is awesome, especially because I need a second pH probe for the kalk stir. If use Apex, I would have to get the $800 one. I also got an additional power strip, so 8 outlet in total, and still 2 outlet short. So I ordered another power strip for $30, problem solved. The extra I can plug the Radion to it and control for overheating. I won't need to debate whether to put in almost $300 to buy another Apex power bar, or put things back to dumb outlets. All things come down to half of what would cost me for an Apex solution.
About the controllability and programmability, I don't have too much complain. The app UI is not optimized for dashboard use at the moment, the history graph of sensors are not quite good. But I contacted coralvue and gave them my feedback. They're pretty acceptive and told me the graph part is already being worked on, quite glad to heard that.
One good thing I like about the app is how big the mode buttons are. It's pretty easy to start feeding using my dashboard table. So I probably don't need to get a break out box for it. I do wonder what's the delay of its breakout box will be. In Apex, there is about 10s delay between when I push down the button and when Apex catch the signal and act. Action on the app is instantaneous on both system. But the feed mode button on Apex app is so tiny that I hate using it, that's why I got the breakout box.
One of the most brought up concern for Hydros is the wifi power strip. So far I haven't got any problem with it, it's just a week of use though. But I honestly not too worry about that, because all the equipment can be left in the default mode and be fine. I have been running the tank for 2 months without a controller anyway. Hydros is mainly as backup control, like overheat shutdown. Both heaters are running at its own temperature config. Hydros' config is 2 degree higher as backup. I'm glad that the power strip don't have to be close to the controller. When I got the new power strip, I'll put it in the dosing closet behind the tank, and I don't need to worry about running cable across the tank for it.
The one missing piece in my current setup currently is the water level sensor. Ordered one as well. That will go into the ATO reservoir by the dosing cabinet. I'm debating if I should get a Control 2 there to save the trouble of running cables over. But I figured for now I will just do without one. I can always add it later.
End result:
It might not look too impressive, but comparing to previous, It's a lot better. I don't really feel bother to tighten up the last couple loose wires.
For the controller, I'm pretty happen with it. The value it provide is awesome, especially because I need a second pH probe for the kalk stir. If use Apex, I would have to get the $800 one. I also got an additional power strip, so 8 outlet in total, and still 2 outlet short. So I ordered another power strip for $30, problem solved. The extra I can plug the Radion to it and control for overheating. I won't need to debate whether to put in almost $300 to buy another Apex power bar, or put things back to dumb outlets. All things come down to half of what would cost me for an Apex solution.
About the controllability and programmability, I don't have too much complain. The app UI is not optimized for dashboard use at the moment, the history graph of sensors are not quite good. But I contacted coralvue and gave them my feedback. They're pretty acceptive and told me the graph part is already being worked on, quite glad to heard that.
One good thing I like about the app is how big the mode buttons are. It's pretty easy to start feeding using my dashboard table. So I probably don't need to get a break out box for it. I do wonder what's the delay of its breakout box will be. In Apex, there is about 10s delay between when I push down the button and when Apex catch the signal and act. Action on the app is instantaneous on both system. But the feed mode button on Apex app is so tiny that I hate using it, that's why I got the breakout box.
One of the most brought up concern for Hydros is the wifi power strip. So far I haven't got any problem with it, it's just a week of use though. But I honestly not too worry about that, because all the equipment can be left in the default mode and be fine. I have been running the tank for 2 months without a controller anyway. Hydros is mainly as backup control, like overheat shutdown. Both heaters are running at its own temperature config. Hydros' config is 2 degree higher as backup. I'm glad that the power strip don't have to be close to the controller. When I got the new power strip, I'll put it in the dosing closet behind the tank, and I don't need to worry about running cable across the tank for it.
The one missing piece in my current setup currently is the water level sensor. Ordered one as well. That will go into the ATO reservoir by the dosing cabinet. I'm debating if I should get a Control 2 there to save the trouble of running cables over. But I figured for now I will just do without one. I can always add it later.
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