Hydros Controller and Current USA products.

[wrgoff]

I am looking at getting a controller. I am thinking of the Hydros Launch controller. It has the features I am looking for at a decent price. I am looking for advice from anyone and everyone. Here is what I currently have. My tank is a 240 Gallon acrylic Tank (8 feet long, 2 feet wide, 2 feed high).

I currently have a ton of Current USA products
2, eFlux (6011) DC return pumps (3,170 GPH) ..
4, each 36-48 inch Orbit Marine LEDs. Currently controlling them by a Bluetooth controller so I can do all the features. Like sunrise, sunset, and moon light.
3, Ehiem Jager 300 watt heaters controlled by InkBird (ITC-608T) Temperature Controllers.
2 Hydor Koralia Wave makers
1 Aquamaxx ConeS DC Protein Skimmer (DCQ-3)
1 Aquamaxx AF-1 Filter Roller
1 Tunze Osmolator 2 ATO.

Has anyone with a Controller either the Hydros or the Apex integrated multiple of these with the controller? I am really interested in the Hydros. But open to the Apex as well.
I am also looking at adding better wave makers something like Gyre Flow Pumps from Ice Cap. I also want to added more lights to get a better lighting environment for corals. As the only corals I have at the moment are some Zoas (and they appear to be struggling).

If I can just integrate the lights, heaters, and return pumps I would be happy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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[JdubC]

I use hydros to control my eHeim DC pump, icecap gyre, and quanta light bars, among other things.

I haven’t had any issues getting things to work with the hydros system. Just a matter of making sure you have the right control with the right ports. For the return pump, I just plug directly into the outlet on the XP8. I’m pretty sure the launch had four outlets, so you would be fine.

To run the icecap, you’ll need one of the WaveEngine controls. I use the Wave Engine LE direct drive port.

The LEDs go into my X4 via the 0-10v port using a quad cable adapter. Has full functionality.

I’m new to the hobby and the Hydros has been easy to setup and the customer service has been great.

Just my two sense.

 

[wrgoff]

So you Control your Ehiem DC Pump with just plugging it in? So how do you control what power it is at? Or don't you? Example. I am currently running my eFlux DC pumps at 50%.

How do you like the Hydros?

 

[tbrown]

I have my Inkbird controller plugged into my Hydros XP8. When the temperature in the tank gets to 78, the Inkbird is set to shut it off. If it doesn't, the Hydros shuts off the Inkbird which shuts off the heaters.

As far as the lights and pumps go - they can't be direct controlled from the Hydros app but they can be plugged into a Hydros plug and turned on and off on a schedule or with a button.

Gyres (IceCap and Maxspect) can be directly controlled from the Hydros app. Other brands can be controlled via I/O ports (0-10v out I believe).

 

[tbrown]

The eFlux is not controllable with the Hydros beyond turning it on and off with the plug

 

[tbrown]

Here's the pump compatibility for Hydros:

HYDROS WaveEngine - Pump Compatiblity Chart

Is your pump compatible with the HYDROS WaveEngine? Currently supported: Abyzz, IceCap, Maxspect, Reef Octopus, Tunze, Waveline, and more!

www.coralvuehydros.com

I think you have to add either a WaveEngine or WaveEngine LE in order to have any pump control though.

 

[tbrown]

My return pump isn't DC so I just turn the plug on and off. Hydros has multiple "modes" and you can customize and add other modes. I click the Waterchange mode and it shuts my gyres, ATO, powerhead, and return pump off. Feeding can shut the return pump off but keep the gyres running.

 

[JdubC]

So you Control your Ehiem DC Pump with just plugging it in? So how do you control what power it is at? Or don't you? Example. I am currently running my eFlux DC pumps at 50%.

How do you like the Hydros?

Ah. It is still controlled by the loop. The hydros provides constant power through the XP8 and I can set it to align with modes (e.g. it turns it off when in water change mode).

I like the hydros. Easy to use for a newbie like me.

I haven’t my heaters connected as well, as described by another user here. Heaters to INKBIRD, INKBIRD to hydros as redundancy.

Any variable wave pumps do need to be connected via the WaveEngine. Mine are direct drive using the icecap 2k with a direct drive connector built in.

 

[nyfan1222]

I have 5 hydros controllers, xp8,launch, wave engine, minnow and wifi strip. It is so user friendly and coralvue's customer has been great when I have a question. I have everything in my tank plugged into them and so far (over a year) it has been great.

 

[wrgoff]

You all have convinced me. I am going to purchase the Hydros Launch. I like what I have read. Thank all of you.

 

[BryanM]

@wrgoff - If I were starting over I would choose Hydros.

And the #1 reason why: Their support is solid. You can certainly ask us here, but you can also ask them, and they have always responded quickly for me (I have their wave engine, and as other things die, or I find a money tree, I'll be replacing my neptune stuff with Hyrdos).

 

[tbrown]

@wrgoff - If I were starting over I would choose Hydros.

And the #1 reason why: Their support is solid. You can certainly ask us here, but you can also ask them, and they have always responded quickly for me (I have their wave engine, and as other things die, or I find a money tree, I'll be replacing my neptune stuff with Hyrdos).

I've pieced mine together as I go along. Having 1 big controller is cool because it takes less space but it's a whole lot less of an investment 1 piece at a time. I've got a WaveEngine LE, WaveEngine, XD, X3, X4, and Minnow plus XP8.