Hydros controller reliability/connectivity

[Mebbid]

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.

Fwiw it does seem like they have put a lot of effort into system improvements and customer service. But yeah, the wifi strip is a disaster and needs a redesign.

 

[tbrown]

Fwiw it does seem like they have put a lot of effort into system improvements and customer service. But yeah, the wifi strip is a disaster and needs a redesign.

Th WiFi strip is also not manufactured by them but rather for them. I'm guessing the only reason they haven't pulled it is because it is an inexpensive alternative to the XP8 for some non-essential powered equipment.

 

[BriDroid]

My WiFi strip has been problem free since I added a 2.4G access point in my fish room. I only use it for my Hydros equipment. Since then, I’ve had no issues with it. But like everyone else, nothing critical is plugged into it.

 

[dank.reefer]

I talked with the Hydros rep at RAP last year. What he told me about the WiFi strip was that they used it as a soft start item during Covid. They were trying to get their product to market but supply chain issues left them short when it came to getting all of the parts needed to build the XP8's. In came the WiFi strip (which is not made by them). I have 3 WiFi strips and all 3 are located within 5ft of each other. The 2 newer one work flawlessly. The 1 older one does disconnect for a few minutes every so often (like ever other month or so.) It certainly seems like there has been some sort of change/improvements made to the device.

 

[vittpsu21]

I got a pretty good deal on an xp8 and xp10 combo, I had no plans on using it prior, so far its been pretty good. I work in tech for a living so that probably makes some of it a bit easier to learn? That being said I find the UI to be kind of weird at first, once you get used to it, it makes sense but until then its not as natural as it could be to understand.

The alerts work pretty well, which is the main thing I cared about, ie. return stops working, etc. The dosers on the xp10 also seem pretty ok to me so far, despite what I read online about them prior

 

[JeffB418]

Th WiFi strip is also not manufactured by them but rather for them. I'm guessing the only reason they haven't pulled it is because it is an inexpensive alternative to the XP8 for some non-essential powered equipment.

Technically the wifi power strip has been retired https://www.coralvue.com/hydros-4-outlet-wifi-ac-power-strip

They no longer will be selling more units and all starter kits that include them have been sunset. Firmware will continue to support units but don't expect to see a replacement or redesign. They do have their place but alot of people didnt understand their limitations and would use them on critical system components when you shouldn't. The XP8 (start/launch) are far superior for AC device control since they are native hydros devices and not a 3rd party rebrand.

That being said, 3rd party Tuya power strips may/will work but not officially supported by coralvue. So if you need the functionality moving forward for non-critical devices, grab a similar looking power strip off Amazon that uses TUYA protocol and it will likely work.

 

[mp2022]

Thanks all. Well I’m sold - just purchased the X4/XP8 combo!

 

[dank.reefer]

Thanks all. Well I’m sold - just purchased the X4/XP8 combo!

Great, that's an awesome place to start.

Along with the help of the wonderful R2R members, I would also suggest joining the Official Hydros Users group on FB. There is a lot of great feedback and rapid assistance available from other Hydros users and Hydros customer support, as well as many great ideas and DIY system designs that other Hydros users have come up with.

 

[Kokanuty]

For WiFi control I use Alexa power strips and can turn on/off with routines like lights and such.

 

[stokedmuffin]

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!

I know this post is a few months old, but since you specifically said reliability and customer support were your biggest concerns, I figured I'd share my experience.


I've been running HYDROS for about 2½ years across multiple tanks and have had multiple pieces of HYDROS equipment replaced during that time. I'm currently dealing with another issue involving extremely erratic pH readings and a possible controller problem on my 200-gallon reef.


I actually just made a separate post documenting my experience with the equipment and CoralVue support. Rather than repost everything here, I'll link it below if you want to see what I've experienced.


I wish I had this information when I was deciding how heavily to invest in the ecosystem.

 

[dank.reefer]

I know this post is a few months old, but since you specifically said reliability and customer support were your biggest concerns, I figured I'd share my experience.


I've been running HYDROS for about 2½ years across multiple tanks and have had multiple pieces of HYDROS equipment replaced during that time. I'm currently dealing with another issue involving extremely erratic pH readings and a possible controller problem on my 200-gallon reef.


I actually just made a separate post documenting my experience with the equipment and CoralVue support. Rather than repost everything here, I'll link it below if you want to see what I've experienced.


I wish I had this information when I was deciding how heavily to invest in the ecosystem.

So does this mean that you may want to divest(sell) in your system? What pieces do you have? What issues have you had outside of PH?

I personally am running (3) X4's, (3) XP8's, an XD, an X2, (2) Soles, 5 43ml X1 dosers and 2 wifi strips. I have been running the system for almost 3 years now and the only issues I ever had were early on wifi connectivity problems that proved to be an issue with my own network and not the Hydros. When I had any questions at all with my system I was able to email customer support and got a response either by Email or phone within 24 hours except for on the weekends.

While I don't mean to discredit what you are saying, and I know that it can be frustrating when things dont work right. It is hard to comprehend that one person would have several pieces of equipment all fail to the level of requiring replacement and the next guy (me) also running an extensive Hydros setup in that exact same time period and have zero issues not one failure. I am not the only person I know running this system either and I don't know of any of my freinds or colleagues running it that have had issues either. I even have a friend who runs a tank maintenance company and runs dozens of collectives without issues.

I haven't even had so much as a sensor fail. That is pretty impressive considering the fact that all of these sensors are submerged in saltwater.

 

[BriDroid]

So does this mean that you may want to divest(sell) in your system? What pieces do you have? What issues have you had outside of PH?

I personally am running (3) X4's, (3) XP8's, an XD, an X2, (2) Soles, 5 43ml X1 dosers and 2 wifi strips. I have been running the system for almost 3 years now and the only issues I ever had were early on wifi connectivity problems that proved to be an issue with my own network and not the Hydros. When I had any questions at all with my system I was able to email customer support and got a response either by Email or phone within 24 hours except for on the weekends.

While I don't mean to discredit what you are saying, and I know that it can be frustrating when things dont work right. It is hard to comprehend that one person would have several pieces of equipment all fail to the level of requiring replacement and the next guy (me) also running an extensive Hydros setup in that exact same time period and have zero issues not one failure. I am not the only person I know running this system either and I don't know of any of my freinds or colleagues running it that have had issues either. I even have a friend who runs a tank maintenance company and runs dozens of collectives without issues.

I haven't even had so much as a sensor fail. That is pretty impressive considering the fact that all of these sensors are submerged in saltwater.

My experiences are similar. Any issues I’ve had, support is quick to help me solve them. I don’t regret going with Hydros one bit.