Apex or Hydros controller

[n2585722]

Does the Hydros 4 not have any log retention for sensors? I just started mine up, connected the temp probe/sensor, set it up and I see no trends. I could have sworn I saw others mention that it stored at least a few days worth?

IMHO, I must be blind as this must have some monitoring capabilities? I already paid about the same for this if compared to the Apex EL and lost 4 power outlets, power monitoring, and I certainly hope not pH and Temp charts?

I feel like I am missing some major menu in the iOS or web interface? This device cannot be a useless as it seems on the surface?

Even my Seneye has those.

If you just setup the inputs there will not be any trends yet. Give it a few hours.

 

[reeferKen]

The other thread is here OP and welcome to the forum :)
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coralvue-hydros-vs-apex.792768/

 

[ReeferLou]

Tell us what you expect from a controller and it will be easier to answer. There are some really nice off the shelf reef-pi solutions too.

If you are a hands-on type and like to tinker I would recommend a reef-pi. I built one with PH, temperature, 8 outlets control, 4 dose pump control (Jebao 4S). and ATO (used a skimmer overflow detect) for about 300 in parts and hours of sweat. Look in the DIY thread for more info.

 

[Sarcazian]

Have you used them?



You mean like graphing?

Thank you. I feel a lot better and I could have sworn that I saw graphs when researching. I will give it a few hours I guess? I updated the FW to the newest release, plugged in the temp monitor, and it has only been online for a couple of hours now.

I shouldn't have jumped, but I also could not find / click on anything that seemed to show graphs. Normally, if a graph still need to build data it shows as blank or some type of feedback.

So, do I just click on the temp input when it is ready? Right now, it does nothing that jumps out in status or inputs.

 

[Sarcazian]

If you just setup the inputs there will not be any trends yet. Give it a few hours.

Thank you. I will give it several more hours.

 

[n2585722]

Thank you. I feel a lot better and I could have sworn that I saw graphs when researching. I will give it a few hours I guess? I updated the FW to the newest release, plugged in the temp monitor, and it has only been online for a couple of hours now.

I shouldn't have jumped, but I also could not find / click on anything that seemed to show graphs. Normally, if a graph still need to build data it shows as blank or some type of feedback.

So, do I just click on the temp input when it is ready? Right now, it does nothing that jumps out in status or inputs.

Click on the three dots on the right side of the screen even with the Inputs heading. I will give you the popup menu show in screenshot below. Just click on view graph. The inputs will show as graphs.

 

[Sarcazian]

Click on the three dots on the right side of the screen even with the Inputs heading. I will give you the popup menu show in screenshot below. Just click on view graph. The inputs will show as graphs.

That was it - Thank you!

I mean, it does makes sense once you know and maybe I should have RTFM.... but that is a weird spot to hide it and not very intuitive. It could just be me though.

Of course, adding the sensors and probes was super easy for what I have from the kit. As strange as it sounds though, do find it to simplistic overall. But, as long as it works, and more add-ons come out, in the end is all that will matter.

 

[n2585722]

That was it - Thank you!

I mean, it does makes sense once you know and maybe I should have RTFM.... but that is a weird spot to hide it and not very intuitive. It could just be me though.

Of course, adding the sensors and probes was super easy for what I have from the kit. As strange as it sounds though, do find it to simplistic overall. But, as long as it works, and more add-ons come out, in the end is all that will matter.

I have not found anything that the Hydros could not do that I was doing with my Archon. It depends on how complex you want to take it. Mine controls my RODI for my fridge for the ice maker along with auto refill of my DI storage tank when it goes low. It also transfers from my mix tank to my fresh saltwater tank when the fresh saltwater tank goes low if the mix tank is ready to use. After the transfer it refills the mix tank with DI water. All I have to do is add the salt mix and press a button when it is ready to use. It does this along with the common tank function of a controller such as ATO, AWC, heat, cool and pump control. I do have 4 Control units in a collective to control all of this. I have 19 inputs setup and 39 outputs setup.

 

[n2585722]

That was it - Thank you!

I mean, it does makes sense once you know and maybe I should have RTFM.... but that is a weird spot to hide it and not very intuitive. It could just be me though.

Of course, adding the sensors and probes was super easy for what I have from the kit. As strange as it sounds though, do find it to simplistic overall. But, as long as it works, and more add-ons come out, in the end is all that will matter.

Also there are three dots in the upper right corner of the app. Click on them for another menu. One item is Help. That will take you to the online manuals. The three dots for menus and setup items is starting to get popular with new apps and programs. Microsoft Edge uses the three dots for this. Upper right corner of app or section also seems to be common with these. They did trip me up the first time I ran into them. I don't remember which app or program it was but it was a few years back.

 

[minus9]

I'm waiting for the Hydros to come with a hard wired power bar, then I'm all in. I love my apex system, but the EB832 has too many issues with failing and I don't see Neptune addressing them any time soon. If GHL had an interface like Hydros or fusion, it would beat apex all day long, but since it's programming is from the 80's, I'll pass. I have a GHL Doser 2 and it's the best doser out there and the app works most of the time without issue. I also have the wave engine, which is integrated into my apex system. I like having these different units integrated into one big system, as I'm getting the best of all worlds, kind of. I'll probably buy the Hydros xs and power it off of my wave engine and use it for leak detection and other redundancies. So if haven't guessed by now, I'm an avid hybrid user, as it really covers a lot of ground. I think people get into "this is better than that", but that way of thinking really narrows your options and doesn't fully address all of your (our) concerns. Same applies with lighting, don't be afraid of mixing it up.

 

[n2585722]

@minus9, what is it that worries you about the wifi power strips? I would not use them for dosing, ATO or AWC. I do use them for my return pump, skimmer pump, heaters and other various task. I use the drive ports for ATO, AWC and dosing. If the power strip looses wifi it will continue with the state the outlet was in when the wifi was lost. Mine have done this from time to time usually only lasting a few seconds. I know it has happed since I get a text and an email when connectivity is lost with any of the Control devices or wifi devices. As long as you have your phone with you you will know there is an issue. They have not caused an issue with my tank yet. I even went through some massive rolling blackout a few weeks back and everything would come back up without issue When the power came back on. The black outs lasted for several days. At one time the power was off an hour and on an hour. This lasted all night at that rate. The longest it was off or on was 4 hours at a time.

 

[minus9]

@minus9, what is it that worries you about the wifi power strips? I would not use them for dosing, ATO or AWC. I do use them for my return pump, skimmer pump, heaters and other various task. I use the drive ports for ATO, AWC and dosing. If the power strip looses wifi it will continue with the state the outlet was in when the wifi was lost. Mine have done this from time to time usually only lasting a few seconds. I know it has happed since I get a text and an email when connectivity is lost with any of the Control devices or wifi devices. As long as you have your phone with you you will know there is an issue. They have not caused an issue with my tank yet. I even went through some massive rolling blackout a few weeks back and everything would come back up without issue When the power came back on. The black outs lasted for several days. At one time the power was off an hour and on an hour. This lasted all night at that rate. The longest it was off or on was 4 hours at a time.

I think it mostly comes from no long term usage data, so I'm not completely against them, just making sure there are no issues likes the EB832. I know I'm not going to use an apex on my 25g lagoon build and will most likely get a Hydros system. I like how CoralVue is completely open to third party manufacturers and integrating their products, too bad others don't follow suit. I will say that Carlos is a one man customer support machine and goes beyond in helping customers. AAA+

 

[reeferKen]

Those blackouts are a great testament to the system putting it to the real test Danny. What a stressful event. Appreciate your feedback here and thanks for sharing.

 

[n2585722]

Those blackouts are a great testament to the system putting it to the real test Danny. What a stressful event. Appreciate your feedback here and thanks for sharing.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones since we did have intermittent power. It is an all electric home so if there is no power nothing works. My daughter and her family were without power almost a week. It is a good thing they had gas powered vehicles to use to get warm. Luckily it was more of an inconvenience than anything else for them. Before this I think the power might have been out less than ten times in the 43 years we have lived in the house.

 

[DWill]

I don't like the Hydros outlets. You can get those on Amazon for like 20 bucks. The EB832 does cost more, but it does a lot more and I feel like it does a better job. I don't trust the WiFi between them. I prefer a cable. I wouldn't trust Bluetooth connections like that either. This is the heartbeat of the tank. Both are good and will work. I just prefer the Apex because of the power bars. The Wave Engine does make rethink regularly though. Getting rid of 3 to 4 power bricks. That might honestly be worth risking the WiFi connection in my opinion. I am horrible at cable management.

I agree with you regarding the WiFi issue and the fallback. Both are the only reasons I haven’t ditched my Apex (yet). I don’t believe there’s any real difference in quality between the power bars however. In fact my guess is (and it’s only a guess) the relays in the WiFi power are likely more reliable then the inexpensive relays used in the EB832. Overall material quality is about equal.

 

[acrosps]

Can you monitor two PH probes ,one for the tank and one for Calcium Reactor?
Can you control the pH probe that goes into the Calcium Reactor?

 

[n2585722]

The Control 4 Hydros has two probe ports they can be either a pH or a ORP probe on each. If you need more than 2 probe ports you can always add another Control 4 and setup a collective. The two controllers would act as one larger controller. You can use the pH read back for control. In fack the Hydros has a Calcium Reactor output type. They also sell a CO2 solenoid that hooks to one of the drive ports.

 

[acrosps]

The Control 4 Hydros has two probe ports they can be either a pH or a ORP probe on each. If you need more than 2 probe ports you can always add another Control 4 and setup a collective. The two controllers would act as one larger controller. You can use the pH read back for control. In fack the Hydros has a Calcium Reactor output type. They also sell a CO2 solenoid that hooks to one of the drive ports.

So I would have to purchase another control 4 at 350.00 just for another ph probe port?

 

[PanchoG]

If money is not a problem, go for the Apex, the power bar monitoring, central brain and other functionalities are worthy.

 

[n2585722]

If you need it at this time yes, but expect more Control units like the Control 2 and XS to come out. It makes sense to have a variety of different units for someone to pick and choose what is right for their setup. After all it is a modular system. It is just that all the modules are also the brain for the collective also. With that if one control unit goes out for some reason it won't kill the whole works. The rest will continue to function. You will of corse loose the inputs and drive ports associated with that control unit, but WiFi control will transfer to one of the remaining control units. You will also get text messages and emails when something like that happens. I currently have 5 Control units in my setup. When my house looses internet I get nine text. One for each control unit and one for each WiFi strip I have. If just one power strip was to drop out for some reason I would get a text stating that strip is off line.