New to Hydros, need help deciding on first controller

[SaltLifeMom]

Hello all!

I had an Apex Trident and Neptune that I sold because I just couldn't figure out the programming. It was a great system with great potential ...but for someone with a more technical brain, I think.

So, I've watched hours of videos on the Hydros controllers and I'm going to be purchasing the Maven when it is released.. but my question is, what controller would be good to purchase now to familiarize myself with the Hydros system? I have a 25 Waterbox Penninsula that runs an AI 16 HD light, an AI Nero 3, a Hygger pump and a Tunze osmolatore nano ATO. What I want is to monitor Salinity, temp and PH while I wait for the Maven. I also have a Waterbox 15 Penninsula that is cycling and would like to be able to someday access both tanks through the Hydros app.

What controller would be good to get my feet wet? Thank you in advance!

 

[exnisstech]

Following

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Easy: Hydros Launch. Its the cheapest option that includes salinity probe port.

You can use it for ATO, controlling things for on/off.

You can then buy the dosing pumps as well for future expansion.

 

[n2585722]

i would second on the Launch. It has 4 controlled AC outlets, 4 drive ports for outputs and 4 sense ports, 4 0-10v input channels and a pH or ORP port and a salinity port. It comes with a temp sensor which will use one of the sense ports and a pH probe with calibration fluid for pH 7 and pH 10 calibration points. The pH also has a pH 4 calibration point but unless you are using it in a reactor or the iV that point is not needed. If you need more ports all you need to do is get a controller that has the ports needed and a command bus cable and a couple of terminators and then you can create a collective with the current controller if it is the first controller added and power down and connect the new controller using the command bus cable add the terminators to the two unused command bus ports and then power it back up. Add the new controller to your account and setup the wifi credentials. Then select it and check the firmware and download and install if needed before you add it to the collective. Once that is done select the collective and select devices in the left menu and then click the + sign in lower right of the screen to start the add process.

 

[Zoacoral]

I also made the switch from neptune to hydros. I started with launch, couple weeks later i bought the xp8, and now have the minnow. Just waiting for the maven now

 

[dbroncos]

Just bought the Hydros Launch controller love- love it!!

 

[DJF]

I also made the switch from neptune to hydros. I started with launch, couple weeks later i bought the xp8, and now have the minnow. Just waiting for the maven now

Don’t forget your wave engines; they’re awesome too! :)

 

[tsharpe291]

launch is definitely the way to go!

 

[Hooz]

Unless you have a specific need in mind that would require something else, I feel like the Launch covers a LOT of bases. You can do salinity, temp, ph, ATO, heater control (on/off), and return pump control (on/off). You could also do AWC if you wanted, all with JUST the Launch,

Add in a WaveEngine LE and a couple supported pumps and you have a pretty all inclusive system for most tanks.

 

[tbrown]

Launch seems like the logical first controller. It has everything except for the pump control and dosing. X10 has dosing but you lose a couple of the drive ports.

I started small with the X3 starter kit and added a leak detector rope, but I'm getting ready to expand and add an X2 and ATO, and a Wave Engine LE plus Ice Cap Gyre. Minnow is likely going to be the next expansion after that.

The cool thing about Hydros is you can start small and build on your system easily or you can go big to start and still build on your system easily.

 

[exnisstech]

Can hydros be used to control Mp40qd?

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Can hydros be used to control Mp40qd?

Yes with caveats: https://www.coralvuehydros.com/product-support/hydros-waveengine/ecotech-marine-vortechs/

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

Thanks for considering us, you will be very happy with HYDROS! Reach out to us direct at support if you need specific questions, heck even test our support before you buy to ensure we're there for you quickly! Support.coralvue.com

You answered your own question a bit there, with your requirements, we need to make sure we have those ports available. You require Salinity, pH, and Temp. So, we will require the appopriate ports.

A Salinity Port is only available on the Launch and X10, so with that being a requirement, we automatically need to choose one of those.

pH, both have an inventory of 1x Probe Ports. This can be used for either pH or ORP.

Temp, this is a SENSE Port accessory, the Green Port. You will have 4x SENSE Ports on either of those Controls, so you can have temp and 3 more accessories.

Want to add the ATO kit? That comes with a Water Level Sensor...SENSE PORT, and a Micro ATO Pump...DRIVE PORT. Your ports start to fill up with more sensors and jobs.

If you run out of ports, simply add another HYDROS Control with the ports/dosers/ac outlets that you require. When you do so you add to the spider web of saftey of what we call the Collective, multiple HYDROS brains keeping your aquarium safe.

The LAUNCH is our answer to the question, "I'm new, where do I start?" It has a sprinkling of a bit of all the ports available.

If you are looking to invest, the X10 and XP8 is the ultimate build and may future proof you for a bit.

HYDROS allows you to expand at your own rate. Play it safe and start small and build your collective to get the ports you need, or dive off the deep end and jump into a large Collective. It truly is a super modular system that can grow with you.

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

Can hydros be used to control Mp40qd?

There are MANY caveats to that. You MUST have a WaveEngine v2, you must find the ETM RF Chipset available for sale as we cannot source them anymore ourselves, you must install that, if your MP pump has ever touched the new Mobius structure, you will have to roll back firmware, and I'm not even sure if that possible, and you do not get the cost savings that a WaveEngine could provide.

With all of that, you lose the true value of the WaveEngine. Traditionally, when you purchase a pump, you get the pump, power supply, and controller...WITH EVERY PUMP.

WaveEngine is already supplying power, its a controller...all compatible pumps are sold as a PUMP ONLY option at about half the cost, and you install it directly to the WaveEngine.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Reef Octopus OctoPulse pumps...they are a wide flow pump that is angular. Very high quality and low maintenance. And again...sold as a pump only that adds direct to your WaveEngine.

 

[exnisstech]

There are MANY caveats to that. You MUST have a WaveEngine v2, you must find the ETM RF Chipset available for sale as we cannot source them anymore ourselves, you must install that, if your MP pump has ever touched the new Mobius structure, you will have to roll back firmware, and I'm not even sure if that possible, and you do not get the cost savings that a WaveEngine could provide.

With all of that, you lose the true value of the WaveEngine. Traditionally, when you purchase a pump, you get the pump, power supply, and controller...WITH EVERY PUMP.

WaveEngine is already supplying power, its a controller...all compatible pumps are sold as a PUMP ONLY option at about half the cost, and you install it directly to the WaveEngine.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Reef Octopus OctoPulse pumps...they are a wide flow pump that is angular. Very high quality and low maintenance. And again...sold as a pump only that adds direct to your WaveEngine.

Thank you very much Conner. I love honest information vs a sales pitch. It wouldn't be worth the effort for me since I have 8 vortechs already on mobius. Not that I'm in love with mobius but I've learned to keep an eye in the time /date issue.

 

[n2585722]

Can hydros be used to control Mp40qd?

It depends on when it was made. Some of the newer ones cannot be downgraded to pre Mobius firmware. I have 2 MP10's and they are pre Mobius and both have the RF module. I got a WEv2 and removed the RF module from my ReefLink and installed it in the WEv2. So now my WEv2 acts as the master pump and the MP10's follow it.

 

[Starry Night Reef]

Great thread, Ive learned a lot for myself. Thanks OP for the question, and eveyone else for the answers so far. It looks like ill start looking for a "Launch"

 

[exnisstech]

It depends on when it was made. Some of the newer ones cannot be downgraded to pre Mobius firmware. I have 2 MP10's and they are pre Mobius and both have the RF module. I got a WEv2 and removed the RF module from my ReeLink and installed it in the WEv2. So now my WEv2 acts as the master pump and the MP10's follow it.

Thanks. I have some mobius only and some older but upgraded to mobius. For me it would be more trouble than it's worth since flow isn't something I'm changing often and I leave power heads on when I feed.

 

[tsharpe291]

There are MANY caveats to that. You MUST have a WaveEngine v2, you must find the ETM RF Chipset available for sale as we cannot source them anymore ourselves, you must install that, if your MP pump has ever touched the new Mobius structure, you will have to roll back firmware, and I'm not even sure if that possible, and you do not get the cost savings that a WaveEngine could provide.

With all of that, you lose the true value of the WaveEngine. Traditionally, when you purchase a pump, you get the pump, power supply, and controller...WITH EVERY PUMP.

WaveEngine is already supplying power, its a controller...all compatible pumps are sold as a PUMP ONLY option at about half the cost, and you install it directly to the WaveEngine.

I HIGHLY recommend checking out the Reef Octopus OctoPulse pumps...they are a wide flow pump that is angular. Very high quality and low maintenance. And again...sold as a pump only that adds direct to your WaveEngine.

the octopulse is what im runnig on the wave engine v2, awesome pumps

 

[reef605]

Can anyone help with an upload issue? I’m sure it’s simple but when I go to upload it finds the url, uploads to the cloud, then fails when uploading to the launch