Hydros Maven is Delayed
- Thread starter argiBK
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I have been away from this hobby for 8 years or so. The last reef tank I had was full apex including trident. I had it setup for me by a local aquarium company. I honestly can’t find the words to express the degree to which I disliked it. It was EXTREMELY buggy and had to be fiddled with constantly. I have no idea if they’ve worked things out since then and don’t care. I gave them enough of my money and all I got was a bad taste in my mouth. I’m setting up a 280g system now. Tank isn’t even wet yet, but I’ve got with all hydros hardware. I’ve never used it so have no opinion currently beyond the fact that the hardware is built FAR better than the plasticy apex. I’ll buy the maven if/when it’s released, but doesn’t play a role in my plans currently I just REALLY didn’t like Apex. I do LOVE the fact there are people here who work for CV and who are extremely easy to reach about issues or concerns!! Hydros has a solid reputation that made me feel comfortable spending my money.
Evaaron
Active Member
I have a Reef Factory smart tester I use for phosphate as well as a Trident NP. The Reef Factory Smart Tester reads very close to the Hanna checker which also matches what I get from my Oceamo ICP test ( I manually test Ca, Mg, Alk, Po4, No3 every time I take a ICP sample to compare). The Trident is great but the Trident NP only reads No3 accurately on mine and a few friends of mine who I know actually own and use it. Usually the NP reads 0 Po4 and I’ve had it replaced under warranty 3 times and had multiple support cases open with Neptune. I still use it for the No3 and use the Smart tester for automated Po4 readings. Hoping the Maven will replace the 3 auto testers I have but that will depend on its reliability, accuracy, and cost of reagents.
ABC reagents for the original trident work great and make cost per test very affordable. The Reef Factory Smart Tester Phosphate reagents are also very affordable vs the NP but seems like BRS ( Reef Factory's distributer in the US) never has them in stock.
On the Neptune and Hydros debate just to add my two cents, Ive been reefing for 20 years and had about every controller from profilux, Apex, and Hydros and none are perfect. I really like fusions clean more modern look but the components in the hardware are very cheaply made in China and prone to failure (would love to hear your FLM and eb832 stories). I’ve had Hydros for a while and trust it more to control my reef since the quality of the internals like capacitors and such are much better while I still have a Apex to monitor all the vitals and run the tridents.
nickng
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing, I’ll use the reef factory for phosphates since I like to keep phosphate between 0.03 to 0.05. As for nitrates, anything from 2 to under 10 works for me. So I just use the tetra strips, as long as it shows a tiny shade of pink I know nitrates are in the right range. I do use a trident for 2+ years now and it gives the same results as Salifert test kits. Do need to clean the curvette in the trident every now and then to maintain accuracy.
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static416
Active Member
Any updates on the Maven release date?
We're now about 3 months past the original ship date, and nearly a year since announcement, and it's been radio-silence since November.
I'm pretty deeply into the Hydros system, but I'm starting to wonder if I should just bite-the-bullet and get a Trident setup for testing instead of waiting for a Hydros version that seems to be MIA at the moment.
We're now about 3 months past the original ship date, and nearly a year since announcement, and it's been radio-silence since November.
I'm pretty deeply into the Hydros system, but I'm starting to wonder if I should just bite-the-bullet and get a Trident setup for testing instead of waiting for a Hydros version that seems to be MIA at the moment.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
I don't think you will hear any more until they are ready to ship out to the dealers. There are settings for the Maven in the app already. I doubt those would be there if they don't intend on releasing the unit.
areefer01
5000 Club Member
Then you have a design problem, not an automated testing problem. When I say you it is a figure of speech, in general, as we didn't have fancy controllers or automated testing in the 90's and early 2000's. We managed just fine.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
Which parameter is that important that you do not already keep track of. I do have alkalinity testing and have probes for pH, ORP, temp and salinity. The rest I test once a week using Hanna testers and have been using them for 9 years now.
The problem is sometimes I can’t keep track of it manually. I’m on permanent disability and some days I’d rather stay in bed. Auto testing notifies me of trends I’d miss otherwise. It’s a luxury, I agree, but it’s nice to have all that data.
Why are some people so against auto testing? I’m confused. For some, it simply helps and makes life easier. If you don’t want it, don’t buy it, but don’t claim it has no purpose or that your system must be flawed. Stuff happens. If you don’t need/want it, move on.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
You can test alkalinity automatically using the iV and the proper dosing pumps to go with it. But even with auto testing you have to keep the reagent filled and occasionally clean the tester and do other maintenance like calibrations on pumps and any probes used in the testers. So I am not sure how much time it will save you. I seem to always spend time on the tank even with what I have automated.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
I may not have the pain you do but at 71 years old I do have my share so I do kind of understand. The plus to auto testing is the test will get done when scheduled as long as the reagents don't run out and the testing beakers are kept clean and probes and pumps are regularly calibrated. i have the iV and a X10 so I already have to do maintenance to that system. Will I get a Maven when it is available? I probably will. I currently spend a little over an hour once a week testing with the Hanna testers.
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