Hydros

[jdpierce21]

If you were going to buy a central Hydros controller as your first controller, which one would you buy and why?

Launch
Control XS
Control X2
Control X3
Control X4
Control X10

https://www.coralvuehydros.com/control/

 

[scooterh928]

I started off with the smaller startup packages cause I didn’t have much money and am impatient. I wish I could have just went with the biggest one so didn’t have to upgrade I guess one with pretty much everything.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I went with the x4 cause it offered the most ports at the time, but even today I would still go with x4 if I had to buy another one.

 

[saltcreep74]

Great question...Im on that same boat at the moment with my full Apex set up making the switch to Hydros soon...

For me, its all about up front cost and slow migration. My first Hydros purchase will be a XP8... reason being is that I can run up to 8 controlled outlets on it and still keep the monitoring on Apex. My lights and wavemakers alone take up 5 outlets and at a cost of $280 for the XP8, it's a small hit to my wallet and allows me to keep the Apex to monitor while trying out Hydros.

Once I have more funds, I'll be purchasing Hydros Launch and completely migrate over.

 

[leepink23]

I am happy with the x4 and xp8. Has everything I need with reliable power bar.

 

[JoJosReef]

What do you want to control?

I just got a Minnow. My goal is to dose All-For-Reef and to use sense ports for water level controls (2 sense ports, one float for sump and one for AFR dosing container), leak detection (1 sense port), and a temperature sensor for detecting malfunctioning equipment (inkbird/Helio).

In the future, I MIGHT decide to add a drive port or two and could potentially use another sense port or two, so an X2 would be an OK addition (1 drive port for return pump).

Another future upgrade just for aesthetics would be a Kraken so that I can remove the 24V bricks and have the LEDs plug directly into the Hydros. But that's not strictly necessary.

I don't care about ORP or pH or salinity probes, so not necessary for me to get an X4 or X10.

X8 seems like a glorified wifi strip. I'm not sure what X8 does that two 4-socket wifi strips can't do.

 

[corosato]

I bought a Launch to start, best way to start in my opinion

 

[rtparty]

@JeffB418 is the best go to for Hydros

 

[UtahReefer]

Was running an Apex A3. Within the last week I made the move to Hydros and glad I did. I'm running the X4, XP8, XD, and the Wave Engine V2. In addition, the Hydros is my ATO and AWC System. All works flawlessly and no more "The Apex has disconnected from Fusion" and having to reboot the system. I dose Kalkwasser based on the PH level and Hydros will shut down my doser if it exceeds the limits I set. This is newer technology. The Hydro's collective in my opinion is more robust due to the fact that every module is a brain, and the collective has more redundancy. You will also find the Hydros easier to program. It sets up quickly and customer support is very good. looking forward to the release of their testing unit the "Maven". Tests all 5 parameters as often as you want, flushes the lines after every test and you do not have to take the unit apart to get to and clean the cuvette.

 

[TomTheSeagull]

If it was available when I started with Hydros I would have bought the Launch. But, since it was not I started with an X2 starter kit that included the Hydros wifi power strip and temp sensor. I also added the Hydros ATO pump and water level sensor. With this small setup I can control a heater, Sicce return pump, ATO, and power heads. Since then I also added the Minnow for dosing AFR. When Im out of town I also use a Hydros feeder. The system works quite well for me, but I still wish I had the Launch.

 

[jdpierce21]

If it was available when I started with Hydros I would have bought the Launch. But, since it was not I started with an X2 starter kit that included the Hydros wifi power strip and temp sensor. I also added the Hydros ATO pump and water level sensor. With this small setup I can control a heater, Sicce return pump, ATO, and power heads. Since then I also added the Minnow for dosing AFR. When Im out of town I also use a Hydros feeder. The system works quite well for me, but I still wish I had the Launch.

Thanks for the detailed review! I just got a deal on the X10, XP8 power bar and IV tester for 1k so I took the deal!

I was leaning toward the X4 and then getting other modules as needed. But I thought that was too good of a deal to pass up.

I can’t wait for the Maven. That’s really what made me take a serious look at the Hydros ecosystem.

I'm wanting to add the ATO and AWC next. What are you using for this?

 

[corosato]

Thanks for the detailed review! I just got a deal on the X10, XP8 power bar and IV tester for 1k so I took the deal!

I was leaning toward the X4 and then getting other modules as needed. But I thought that was too good of a deal to pass up.

I can’t wait for the Maven. That’s really what made me take a serious look at the Hydros ecosystem.

I'm wanting to add the ATO and AWC next. What are you using for this?

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/h...twekdmLpOj9_YrggDkBVk5UKB8CQlddUaAtQtEALw_wcB
just had to adjust it's min/max on in the settings but it's been great other than that

 

[ReefED!]

I still don't understand the point of a controller

My heater functions with its own controller, so does my ATO and pumps and dosers etc.

What would I use a Hydros controller for?

 

[BR260354]

Depends on what you want to monitor / control. When I first started, I did the X2 starter and quickly added from there. If you want to monitor pH, temperature, and power up a few devices (heater, sterilizer), the Launch is a great way to start.

If you have wave pumps, specifically OctoPulse or certain gyres, you can add a waveengine to the mix as well.

I recently upgraded tanks. I moved my old tank to the bedroom and I wanted to control that as well, so I picked up a Launch and WE-Le for it, which should fit it perfectly. I also moved over my quad WiFi to use with it.

My upgraded tank kept my other controllers: Kraken, X4, X2, XS, XP8, WEv2 along with Hydros Autofeeder. The Kraken, I have all 3 AI Blades, 3 ReefRun pumps, 2 dosers hooked into that. Yep, I'm a fan.

 

[Schulks]

X8 seems like a glorified wifi strip. I'm not sure what X8 does that two 4-socket wifi strips can't do.

The xp8 is expensive but if you want to run simple dosers you have to have the xp8 or launch because they have a brain. The wifi strip could lose connection and miss doses or worse stick on. The xp8 also has power monitoring which is useful if you have a big system and want to keep track of power costs or know when a pump jams or needs cleaned. There are many other uses too.

 

[corosato]

I still don't understand the point of a controller

My heater functions with its own controller, so does my ATO and pumps and dosers etc.

What would I use a Hydros controller for?

I like being able to see PH/Temp/status from anywhere. I like knowing I will be alerted if there is a leak quickly. I also like being able to turn things on and off with my phone, I know this can be done cheaper overall with a smart power strip, but having everything in one spot is nice. I like being able to have easily viewed history of status as well. I plan to get their auto tester when it is released, so that will be a big part of it as well.

 

[JoJosReef]

The xp8 is expensive but if you want to run simple dosers you have to have the xp8 or launch because they have a brain. The wifi strip could lose connection and miss doses or worse stick on. The xp8 also has power monitoring which is useful if you have a big system and want to keep track of power costs or know when a pump jams or needs cleaned. There are many other uses too.

Well now I'm worried about the wifi strip I just bought. My current Amazon smart wifi strip works even if it loses wifi connect--it just keeps to the same schedule. I've never seen them get stuck "on" either.

For dosing, my Minnow will cover that, but I was planning to use the wifi strip for the Avast Plank, for example, turning it on and off on a schedule. Now I'm a bit concerned.

In principle, shouldn't the Hydros make a schedule for which outlets on the wifi strip turn on and off at what time and inform you if it does/doesn't?

 

[Schulks]

Well now I'm worried about the wifi strip I just bought. My current Amazon smart wifi strip works even if it loses wifi connect--it just keeps to the same schedule. I've never seen them get stuck "on" either.

Sounds like you have a good wifi strip that has memory and stores the schedule. I have just read warnings that the hydros wifi strip could do these things. I guess the other modules send the on and off commands over wifi.

For dosing, my Minnow will cover that, but I was planning to use the wifi strip for the Avast Plank, for example, turning it on and off on a schedule. Now I'm a bit concerned.

I'm not sure how the Avast plank works but the Hydros auto feeder is wifi too. I guess the module receives a 'roll chamber once' command not an on roll off roll. The Avast could work the same way but Hydros feeder is only $35 if you have to.

In principle, shouldn't the Hydros make a schedule for which outlets on the wifi strip turn on and off at what time and inform you if it does/doesn't?

I guess I wish mine did. lol
It seems like it would easy to tell the wifi strip to respond if it receives the command so hydros knows but I guess the wifi strip doesn't do any thinking at all.

 

[JoJosReef]

Sounds like you have a good wifi strip that has memory and stores the schedule. I have just read warnings that the hydros wifi strip could do these things. I guess the other modules send the on and off commands over wifi.


I'm not sure how the Avast plank works but the Hydros auto feeder is wifi too. I guess the module receives a 'roll chamber once' command not an on roll off roll. The Avast could work the same way but Hydros feeder is only $35 if you have to.


I guess I wish mine did. lol
It seems like it would easy to tell the wifi strip to respond if it receives the command so hydros knows but I guess the wifi strip doesn't do any thinking at all.

Looks like I've got some reading to do. Thanks for the feedback!!

RE: Avast plank, this one piece of equipment is more important the the entire Hydros collective for me :-) It is a feeder head and shoulders above the rest. I have an eheim autofeeder that runs on the same principle as the Hydros feeder, but it always has issues with dropping too much (aperture is a micrometer too wide) or too little (slightly larger pellets get jammed and block other pellets from falling). The Plank just keeps pushing stuff out at exactly the same rate. Awesome for feeding high metabolism wrasses. I love it.

 

[Schulks]

Looks like I've got some reading to do. Thanks for the feedback!!

RE: Avast plank, this one piece of equipment is more important the the entire Hydros collective for me :) It is a feeder head and shoulders above the rest. I have an eheim autofeeder that runs on the same principle as the Hydros feeder, but it always has issues with dropping too much (aperture is a micrometer too wide) or too little (slightly larger pellets get jammed and block other pellets from falling). The Plank just keeps pushing stuff out at exactly the same rate. Awesome for feeding high metabolism wrasses. I love it.

Np! I have never actually owned an auto feeder. I keep slower lazy fish; no tangs, angels, wrasses, or anthias so I just feed twice a day.

Someday when I get a bigger tank I'll keep in mind how great the avast plank is :)