Hydros and BRS?

[Sisterlimonpot]

One stop shop now has one less stop which makes no sense since that stop will continue competing elsewhere.

Do you think eliminating 1 stop shopping is the end goal?

What if it's part of a bigger strategy?

 

[Erich T.]

what bothers me most is BRS never reviewed hydros evens 2-3 years ago... Why not?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

what bothers me most is BRS never reviewed hydros evens 2-3 years ago... Why not?

Does that really need to be answered...

Direct, viable competitor to Neptune. You don't want to help sell a competing product.

 

[n2585722]

I wanted to use wired, simply because I don't use 2.4GHz wifi at all.

You will need a 2.4ghz channel since the controllers are 2.4ghz only but if you have an old router you can set it up as a access point and hard wire it to your router and use it for all the Hydros gear. Just make sure when you are setting them up that the device you have the app installed and using for setup is on that same channel. After setting things up it will not matter. There is no way to connect a hardwired connection to the Hydros. Every controller would have to have that connection since each one connects to wifi on it's own and to the cloud, They do use a command bus to talk to each other when they are in a collective but that is not internet protocol it is a CAN bus version. The controllers themselves do not need wifi to keep running but you would need it to make changes to the settings. You will also need internet to do that anyway. In a pinch if you have a cell phone with internet service via mobile service you can go into bluetooth mode and see the inputs and also override outputs to either off, auto or on if needed. I had no internet for 5 days straight and had no issues accessing like this using my phone as long as I was at the same location as the controllers. I currently have 15 Hydros controllers in my collective and they act like one large controller since all input and output information is shared with all controllers. Even the wifi strips and wifi feeder and other wifi devices will continue to communicate with the Hydros controllers as long as you wifi remains up without internet. Some service provider routers will not work when there is no internet connection but I have my own router and a separate cable modem so I do not have an issue with my wifi when there is no internet. I also added a UPS to my router and cable modem since I have battery backup on my controllers via the Kraken controller. I have had a Hydros controller since they first came out and have not had any failures on the controllers yet other than an occasional reboot.

 

[rtparty]

That’s half the story at least.

BRS and Neptune weren’t under Bertram when the Hydros was released. The Hydros was out for a while before that happened actually

 

[Erich T.]

Does that really need to be answered...

Direct, viable competitor to Neptune. You don't want to help sell a competing product.

then why sell in the first place? 3 years ago?

 

[Erich T.]

OH and if not competion back then....Why no Reviews. Just Imagine Thomas reviewing Hydros,,,,,

 

[Peair]

BRS such a staple in this hobby being sold out to corporate ties is a sad thing. Can't say I'm surprised though.

I see this and then watch a Paul Cuffaro video where Top Shelf Aquatics is bragging about a coral with 90 heads that are like $1000 a head, and they are just laughing it up.. Ha Ha Ha.. the only loser here is the consumer.

It's the way this hobby is going.

I hope not, some people just want to take advantage of the money, TSA loves' to sell tiny 1/2 inch frags, yet they keep their 90 head corals to themselves.

 

[Richard baker]

I think a lot of us are upset because one brs was an employee/ customer/ family oriented company. And in the beginning Ryan and Randy truly gained a lot of trust and loyalty following they contributed a lot . And then the sell off to a corporation that lacks all those values and then walk away into the sunset in a way we feel betrayed and let down . Plain and simple we wish they would have kept it they way it was and possibly passed it down to there kids or someone else within the company. Instead we feel bank rolled with the last few years of hawking any and all products we went off Ryan’s reputation and recommendations. One he had our loyalty and two he had our trust and then to spend the last few years using that to help hawk products until we realized this is not the same man cash out and ride into the sunset it kinda has a lot of people upset that’s all .

 

[GARRIGA]

Do you think eliminating 1 stop shopping is the end goal?

What if it's part of a bigger strategy?

Seems purely driven by driving the largest margins which best done promoting only your products. That would be my strategy although Mr Saltwater just got larger and opens an opportunity for those not having their own products willing to sell all others.

 

[areefer01]

I think a lot of us are upset because one brs was an employee/ customer/ family oriented company. And in the beginning Ryan and Randy truly gained a lot of trust and loyalty following they contributed a lot .

It is still social media content and marketing. Trust is up to the hobbyist regardless of brand or provider.

And then the sell off to a corporation that lacks all those values and then walk away into the sunset in a way we feel betrayed and let down . Plain and simple we wish they would have kept it they way it was and possibly passed it down to there kids or someone else within the company.

Who is we and why use the word betrayed? Why can't it just be that someone is tired of giving 150 percent into something and want out? Look at it from the viewpoint of the person burning the midnight oil. It takes a lot of effort to make your first million. A lot more to make five. There is no let down or betrayal. It was a decision that doesn't involved us.

I do hear you that maybe there is a concern as it relates to product availability, pricing, and so forth. Still not a huge issue in my opinion. If you want something that isn't carried it will be by another outlet.

Instead we feel bank rolled with the last few years of hawking any and all products we went off Ryan’s reputation and recommendations. One he had our loyalty and two he had our trust and then to spend the last few years using that to help hawk products until we realized this is not the same man cash out and ride into the sunset it kinda has a lot of people upset that’s all .

You are taking this way to personal in my opinion. Then again maybe I'm reading more into what you threw down. It is a hobby and it isn't unique to this one. Power tools, scuba, sewing, cars, and more have had some form of product or brand consolidation.

 

[n2585722]

Oh good! Then is this old info then? Also I held back from getting the hydros because originally they didn't have a wired controlled power strip. Very happy that they have the wired XP8 Energy Bar.
If only there's a wired ethernet port on some of their controllers.

HYDROS Control - Connecting to Your WiFi Network - Help Page

Instructions explaining how to connect the HYDROS Control to your WiFi network. You need a mobile device, Control, and a WiFi network name & password.

www.coralvuehydros.com

That is not old information the Controllers themselves will not connect to a 5ghz wifi channel. You can always use an access point setup just for the Hydros and set to 2.4ghz only. Just make sure the access point is hardwired to the main router and not another access point. You can also use an old router as an access point. Just check the manual for the router to find out how. That also would need to be hardwired to your main router.

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

BRS doesn't "own" (so to speak) Neptune, both are part of the same parent company Aperture pet and life along with Ecotech, AI and others.

Right. But guess who owns the parent company?

 

[cdnco2004]

That is not old information the Controllers themselves will not connect to a 5ghz wifi channel. You can always use an access point setup just for the Hydros and set to 2.4ghz only. Just make sure the access point is hardwired to the main router and not another access point. You can also use an old router as an access point. Just check the manual for the router to find out how. That also would need to be hardwired to your main router.

You calling me a liar? Because they were replying to me. I have a WEv2, an X4 and an X2 and they DO in fact connect to my 5ghz ONLY Netgear Orbit WiFi 6 AP.

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

It is still social media content and marketing. Trust is up to the hobbyist regardless of brand or provider.



Who is we and why use the word betrayed? Why can't it just be that someone is tired of giving 150 percent into something and want out? Look at it from the viewpoint of the person burning the midnight oil. It takes a lot of effort to make your first million. A lot more to make five. There is no let down or betrayal. It was a decision that doesn't involved us.

I do hear you that maybe there is a concern as it relates to product availability, pricing, and so forth. Still not a huge issue in my opinion. If you want something that isn't carried it will be by another outlet.




You are taking this way to personal in my opinion. Then again maybe I'm reading more into what you threw down. It is a hobby and it isn't unique to this one. Power tools, scuba, sewing, cars, and more have had some form of product or brand consolidation.

Right. I mean, I sympathize. I wish things didn’t have to change and they appeared (appearance is not reality) were in it for fun and helping others learn the simplest things, but that’s not going to last.

I would do the same thing, and so would everyone else, given the same chance. Take the money, Randy. Build your own public aquarium, Bro. That’s the next chapter!

But I totally get it if you just want to chill in front of the monster tank of your dreams and listen to LED Zeppelin in headphones, too.

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

*I mean Ryan * - and Randy, too, though I doubt he’ll have that kind of money without an equity stake.

 

[n2585722]

You calling me a liar? Because they were replying to me. I have a WEv2, an X4 and an X2 and they DO in fact connect to my 5ghz ONLY Netgear Orbit WiFi 6 AP.

The chips they use are only 2.4ghz chips. If you don't believe me you can ask them but I have seen this ask numerous time on their facebook group and the Hydros forum and the answer has always been the controller are 2.4ghz only but the wifi strips will connect to 5ghz but if they do they will not be able to talk to the controllers on 2.4ghz.

 

[areefer01]

But I totally get it if you just want to chill in front of the monster tank of your dreams and listen to LED Zeppelin in headphones, too.

As long as the song spooling in the background isn't 'When the Levee Breaks'

 

[braaap]

Don't really need to, for me, they have been doing it to themselves. I find myself searching other sites for the items I need. Like the Hanna Alkalinity reagent - BRS $15.00 SaltwaterAquarium.com - $12.75.

But then you have to overpay for slow USPS shipping. My last order took 11 days to come from them. Never again.

Are there a lot of reports of their wifi chips being subpar like Neptune? Has Neptune just gotten everyone nervous about wifi? If they use good wifi chips there will be no problem and and no need for hardwired connections. I've lost count of all the wifi devices in my house and I don't have issues with any of them. The only device that's hardwired in my house is my Ring alarm, not even my gaming PC. Wifi has come such a long way that it is extremely dependable.

Their WiFi is more than a USB dongle. That’s what Neptune uses. Hydros WiFi actually works. Weird concept for a WiFi device. lol

All of mine runs on my main household 5ghz system.

No it doesn’t.

You calling me a liar? Because they were replying to me. I have a WEv2, an X4 and an X2 and they DO in fact connect to my 5ghz ONLY Netgear Orbit WiFi 6 AP.

Not a liar. Just not educated on what you actually have. Unless coralvue switched their chips are quite literally only 2.4 able.

 

[BrokenReefer]

BRS is not CoralVue, but it is Neptune.

Aperture owns Neptune, not Bulk Reef Supply. They are owned by the same PE firm.

That is akin to saying Chevrolet is GM even though they are distinct brands under the same corporate tree.

But I do understand the point you are making.