Hydros controller reliability/connectivity

[mp2022]

Hello,
I am looking at getting a hydros controller system for a new tank build primarily for light control, ATO, leak sensors, temp control/monitoring, and maybe some parameter testing down the road.
The features I like about the system are that the controls function as a collective and the from what I can tell excellent customer service/support. What is most important though for me is reliability.

I have read about WiFi connectivity issues, and was curious about the following from those who have used hydros system for a while:

1) Are the WiFi connectivity issues, particularly after an outage, less common if you have a separate 2.4Ghz network that it is tied to (as opposed to a dual 2.4ghz/5ghz network under the same name)?

2) If all the hydros products are connected via bus connections, and not reliant on WiFi, will the hydros continue to operate as previously programmed after an outage? Or have people had issues with the settings getting all messed up after an outage?

Also looking at GHL but have read that customer service/support may be slow, particularly if parts have to be shipped from Germany.

Thanks!

 

[tbrown]

The only WiFi issues I have are with the WiFi power strip.

For reference, I have an XP8, X3, X4, Minnow, WaveEngine LE, and WiFi power strip. The power strip loses connectivity multiple times daily but everything else stays connected except during an Internet or power outage. I've also not had any trouble with them automatically reconnecting when the power or Internet is restored.

 

[tbrown]

I just ordered an XD and a Start for my other tank because of the reliability.

 

[mp2022]

The only WiFi issues I have are with the WiFi power strip.

For reference, I have an XP8, X3, X4, Minnow, WaveEngine LE, and WiFi power strip. The power strip loses connectivity multiple times daily but everything else stays connected except during an Internet or power outage. I've also not had any trouble with them automatically reconnecting when the power or Internet is restored.

Nice. So if the internet goes down but power stays on, do the components that have wired connections run normally as per whatever you had programmed it at? Or does the controller have to reference something online to function properly?

Also out of curiosity, what pumps do you use with your system?

 

[BriDroid]

I have all Hydros on my new tank. I have a XP8, a X4, a Minnow, a Kraken, and 2 Wave Engine LEs on my 40. I have another collective in the garage for my RODI, an X2 and a XS to automate that. I’m running my lights (Kessil pendants and Helix LED bars) on the 0-10V, 2 Icecap Gyre 2K and a Varios 2 pump on the wave engines and doing auto water changes with my Minnow.

 

[tbrown]

Nice. So if the internet goes down but power stays on, do the components that have wired connections run normally as per whatever you had programmed it at? Or does the controller have to reference something online to function properly?

Also out of curiosity, what pumps do you use with your system?

Mine continues running when the Internet goes down. They're wired through the data cables and still communicate based on the stored programming.

The wifi strips, when they lose connectivity, they stop doing what they're programmed for (aka no heater controlability).

With the WaveEngine I have, currently, a Maxspect XF330 and an IceCap Jump 2K. I have a spare XF330 and am also considering replacing the LE with the WaveEngine 2 and running all 3 since I currently run the 2 plus a Tunze Nanostream. I'd replace the Tunze and have all 3 on the Hydros.

 

[mp2022]

Nice. So if the internet goes down but power stays on, do the components that have wired connections run normally as per whatever you had programmed it at? Or does the controller have to reference something online to function properly?

Also out of curiosity, what pumps do you use with your system?

Mine continues running when the Internet goes down. They're wired through the data cables and still communicate based on the stored programming.

The wifi strips, when they lose connectivity, they stop doing what they're programmed for (aka no heater controlability).

With the WaveEngine I have, currently, a Maxspect XF330 and an IceCap Jump 2K. I have a spare XF330 and am also considering replacing the LE with the WaveEngine 2 and running all 3 since I currently run the 2 plus a Tunze Nanostream. I'd replace the Tunze and have all 3 on the Hydros.

Thanks for the detailed response. Still trying to wrap my small brain around the difference between the XP8 and the WiFi power strip. So if you have your heater or heater/temp controller combo, plugged into the XP8 that is hardwired to the X4, then if WiFi goes down, whatever temp control settings you have programmed into the hydros system will still be functioning? Unlike if it is plugged into the WiFi power strip, that requires WiFi signal to function properly? Thanks.

Also, completely different topic. Do you like the maxspect gyres? How often are you cleaning it? I have a Mariner M130 and there are not many powerhead options for 3/4 inch glass but I think the 350 version of maxspect does.

Thanks!

 

[Reefuzz]

I’ve got two tanks running Hydros equipment. I have an XP8, launch, Start, WaveEngine V2 and Minnow on each tank. I have never had any reliability issues. I’ve got everything you listed controlled by my collectives. I’ve had my Wi-Fi go out many times and never lost any functionality on my tank.

 

[dank.reefer]

I have been running Hydros now for 2.5 years. For the first 3 months I didn't have a dedicated 2.4ghz access point and it drove me batty. After adding the access point I have zero connection issues with any of my controllers or power strips. I am running 3 WiFi strips, 2 XP8's, 2 X4's, a XS and an XD on 2 separate tank's. The WiFi connection is only used for an interface and doesn't control the actual devices after programming, other than the WiFi strips. The only things I have on my WiFi strips are non mission critical devices that the tank can run with or without for a few hours if need be(protien skimmer, lights, UV sterilizer, ATS, reactor pumps,etc.) Do not by any means use a WiFi strip to control doser's or heaters you will be sorry.

 

[dank.reefer]

Thanks for the detailed response. Still trying to wrap my small brain around the difference between the XP8 and the WiFi power strip. So if you have your heater or heater/temp controller combo, plugged into the XP8 that is hardwired to the X4, then if WiFi goes down, whatever temp control settings you have programmed into the hydros system will still be functioning? Unlike if it is plugged into the WiFi power strip, that requires WiFi signal to function properly? Thanks.

Also, completely different topic. Do you like the maxspect gyres? How often are you cleaning it? I have a Mariner M130 and there are not many powerhead options for 3/4 inch glass but I think the 350 version of maxspect does.

Thanks!

The XP8 is an actual controller with a micro processor and memory in it. This means that the XP8 can function independently without another controller to telling it what to do.

The WiFi strip is a dummy with no brain it just does what it is told. If there is nothing telling the WiFi strip what to do the strip just stays static in whatever state it was in before it lost connection.

 

[slingfox]

My XP8 works flawlessly. The Hydros Wifi Strips are absolute garbage and cannot be used to power anything important. If I was to start a new tank now I would consider waiting to see what the RedSea smart controller/ sensor / power management system has to offer. That set of products will release at some point this year.

 

[tbrown]

Thanks for the detailed response. Still trying to wrap my small brain around the difference between the XP8 and the WiFi power strip. So if you have your heater or heater/temp controller combo, plugged into the XP8 that is hardwired to the X4, then if WiFi goes down, whatever temp control settings you have programmed into the hydros system will still be functioning? Unlike if it is plugged into the WiFi power strip, that requires WiFi signal to function properly? Thanks.

Also, completely different topic. Do you like the maxspect gyres? How often are you cleaning it? I have a Mariner M130 and there are not many powerhead options for 3/4 inch glass but I think the 350 version of maxspect does.

Thanks!

Your understanding is correct - XP8 is wired to the system (and will power the whole Collective if used).

I love the Maxspect/IceCap controllability of the Hydros. The 330 magnets are super strong on my M70 glass so I'd assume the 330 would be good enough for the M130 - the 350 would be even stronger so should be plenty strong enough.

 

[dank.reefer]

My XP8 works flawlessly. The Hydros Wifi Strips are absolute garbage and cannot be used to power anything important.

I have 3 WiFi strips that have been solid for 2.5 years. Yes they do occasionally disconnect like once a every other month or so. I would not call them garbage by any means. I don't need a $400 power strip to run my ATS or Skimmer. That would be just silly. I was actually considering using WiFi strips to control my xmas lights and maybe some accent lights in my living room that could be used as indicators for different alerts that the Hydros sends.

 

[tbrown]

Somewhat easy to explain picture from the Coralvue website:

XP8 and WaveEngine (XD as well) have their own power source rather than a "wall wart". Each controller is connected through the data cable and power is relayed through the cable from one controller to the next so everything is powered and everything is connected for data transfer.

 

[tbrown]

I have 3 WiFi strips that have been solid for 2.5 years. Yes they do occasionally disconnect like once a every other month or so. I would not call them garbage by any means. I don't need a $400 power strip to run my ATS or Skimmer. That would be just silly I was actually considering using WiFi strips to control my xmas lights and maybe some accent lights in my living room that could be used as indicators for different alerts that the Hydros sends.

I still use my wifi strip I just don't use it to turn my heater on and off. My ATO is plugged into it.

 

[dank.reefer]

I still use my wifi strip I just don't use it to turn my heater on and off. My ATO is plugged into it.

My ATO is plugged into a WiFi strip as well, but I use a stand alone Tunze ATO.

The WiFi strip just turns the ATO system on and off if the level in the sump goes higher than the Tunze sensor, or if I put the system in WC mode.

I would not use the WiFi strip to turn on a static ATO pump based on a controller sensor input. Just the same I wouldn't plug a static heater into the WiFi strip for control based off a temp sensor in the collective.

 

[n2585722]

If you want to check out my build threat on R2R I have a lot of Hydros info. I got my first Hydros controller just after it came out. It was the X4. The Hydros info starts on page 6 starting at post #119. To get to it click on the "My Tank Tread" banner in one of my post. Things did change and new features were added to the system and when happened I posted about it and how I used them. The collective members communicate with each other via the command buss so they will still share info on inputs and outputs with each other as long as they are powered. Also if the internet is down which for me is more common than a wifi issue but I use my own router and it is on a UPS along with the cable modem. You can setup an emergency login on the system so you can login in the emergency mode if there is no internet. then you can check on the state of the inputs and outputs in the collective. You can also change the mode that is running. You can also change an output state between off, auto or on if needed, You cannot make any changes to the settings since that will require communications between the devices in the collective and the Hydros cloud over the internet. Since running with no internet is an emergency mode that should not be an issue though. Also there is either the Kraken or you can connect a battery backup to the Wave Engine with the right cable set and the right battery backup. So you can add battery backup to the system. I have 2 Krakens and a Wave Engine in my system that have battery backup. I now have 15 controllers in my main collective in 2 locations. Some are at the tank and the others in my garage with my RODI unit and mixing station. Let me know if you have any questions on anything I have done.

 

[tbrown]

My ATO is plugged into a WiFi strip as well, but I use a stand alone Tunze ATO.

The WiFi strip just turns the ATO system on and off if the level in the sump goes higher than the Tunze sensor, or if I put the system in WC mode.

I would not use the WiFi strip to turn on a static ATO pump based on a controller sensor input. Just the same I wouldn't plug a static heater into the WiFi strip for control based off a temp sensor in the collective.

Same. Tunze Osmolator.

 

[rtparty]

The WiFi power strips are total junk. Don’t put anything important on them.

I tried Hydros when it first came out. All they had was the X2 and X4 if I remember the names. It was a year of nothing but problems. WiFi power strips would disconnect 40-50 times a day, the X4 was constantly disconnecting, the pH probe was unreliable and didn’t like electronic halide ballasts, multiple XP8s failed, and I finally sold it all off. Customer service was atrocious. If I shared any of this, CV and their minions would attack me.

Like a year ago, I wanted to add monitoring only to my WB25 and wanted to give Hydros another try. I reached out to a reasonable Hydros user I knew I could trust and we decided the XS was the best choice for what I wanted. It’s been flawless but the only thing is does is monitor temperature for me. It controls nothing.

 

[Mebbid]

Thanks for the detailed response. Still trying to wrap my small brain around the difference between the XP8 and the WiFi power strip. So if you have your heater or heater/temp controller combo, plugged into the XP8 that is hardwired to the X4, then if WiFi goes down, whatever temp control settings you have programmed into the hydros system will still be functioning? Unlike if it is plugged into the WiFi power strip, that requires WiFi signal to function properly? Thanks.

Also, completely different topic. Do you like the maxspect gyres? How often are you cleaning it? I have a Mariner M130 and there are not many powerhead options for 3/4 inch glass but I think the 350 version of maxspect does.

Thanks!

In general, you want to run system critical things on the xp8. If the wifi power strip loses connectivity it will continue doing the last thing it was told to do. So definitely don't run things like a return pump, ATO, dumb dosing pumps, heaters without an internal thermostat, wavemakers, etc. because a constant on or constant off state can be a big problem. But things like lights, a skimmer, programmable dosing pump, heater with an internal thermostat, or other sump equipment will likely all be fine.