The only Hydros power strip that will work on it's own without a controller is the XP8. That is because it is a controller and not a power strip with only the 8 AC outputs and no inputs. If you want to control things with temp sensors and other inputs you can add a controller with the inputs you need with the XP8 and create a collective. The collective will act like a larger controller with all inputs and outputs of it's member controllers.I would advocate you try and build the most robust system your budget will allow. For similar money you might be able to get a used Apex Classic, and that would give you something to build on. Or since the Hydros is modular you could start with a power strip and build from there. Success will keep you in the hobby, tank crashes will not.
I am away from my tank 5 days a week for work and have been running it this way for over 12 years. I rely pretty heavily on my Apex and over the years the setup has gotten more complex, but in the beginning it was mostly about remote monitoring. I know a week is not the same as a month so you have some bigger challenges in your case.