What are your thoughts on the Hydros 2 at this point? Thinking about getting this and the ATO add on as a simple starting point for my nuvo 20 to control the heater and ATO instead of an inkbird and stand-alone ATO.
- Bottom Line Up Front:
- It seems to be a great entry level controller, that offers further expandability, for the aquarium enthusiast that doesn’t have an overly complex system and initial controller cost has held them back.
- Control 2 $199.99
- ATO $79.99
- Total $279.98 for a basic controller with an integrated ATO!
- Seems like an ideal replacement for those of us that started with the Reef Keeper.
- At least for now, I don’t see this overtaking Apex for the more advanced users. Yes, you can do advanced setups with Hydros, but for those that are familiar with writing the basic code required to get the more advanced functionality/automation out of an Apex will likely find that the Apex is more flexible and customizable than Hydros.
- My Use Case:
- I needed a simplistic setup for a small tank in my daughters room where I am mostly interested in monitoring temperature, having an ATO and controllable outlets for the return pump, skimmer, refugium light timer, etc.
- Where They Missed the Mark:
- The Control 2 has 2 Command ports, 2 Sense ports and 2 Drive ports (I guess that's why it's a Control "2"). In my scenario above I am am using both sense ports and and one control port. It would probably provided a better value to the entry level/budget concious consumer it there were 3 Sense ports and 1 Drive port. Beyond the ATO pump, there isn’t a lot of need in the basic setup for a 2nd Drive port. It would have been great to have an additional water level sensor for the ATO supply tank, a backup/high level sensor to turn off the ATO, leak detect or even a skimmer cup high level that the more basic user would get more value out of.
Packaging:
- About what you would expect for the price point. Not fancy like Apple, but enough to protect it and not drive up the cost.
Application:
- I'll be brief, very user friendly/intuitive and modern as you would expect out of a newly developed App.
- This is something the competition should take note of.
- No default “Return Pump” type for setting up an Output, I had to use a “Constant” type setting.
Hardware:
- Control Box:
- Very modern looking with LEDs and audible alerts built in.
- Marked up a bit, need to handle better during the manufacturing process.
- Sensors and Cables:
- Controller power cable not color keyed.
- Not using instructions, initially tried to plug it into the wrong port, but the connector keying prevented it.
- Strain relief screws should be shortened to decrease protrusion.
- Coming from an electronics manufacturing background, this would be done for personnel safety to keep fingers/hands from getting scraped/cut on them.
- Strain reliefs would look better if they were clocked consistently/uniformly.
- Backshells seem to come loose easily.
- Wifi Power Strip
- Mounting bracket securely holds it.
- There is a reluctance to to use a Wifi power strip and that’s understandable, but there was once a reluctance for the aviation industry to transition from cables to fly by wire. I understand yes there is still a physical connection/wire, but there are also people flying in the plane. I think we’ll see more things in the industry heading this direction given more time.
- We just need to be smart with the setups so it something get’s stuck on it doesn’t result in catastrophic failure (i.e. heater).
- You may be able to mitigate/reduce some of this concern by purchasing a highly rated/reliable non-hydros branded wifi power strip.
- I was able to connect and program 2 "other" Wifi power strips that I was already using that had 3-120v and 3-USB strip using Quad Outlet setting.
- Establishing a secondary dedicated Wifi network for the system could also mitigate some concerns over using your ISP provided switch and access point that generally aren't as reliable.
ATO:
- Wet/Dry status updates quickly.
- The basic setup doesn’t seem to apply a time limit on pump run time or minimum off time, you must use advanced settings.
- The instructions indicate advanced settings are for advanced users only, but these are critical for an ATO that doesn’t come with a backup/high level sensor and should be part of the basic setup.
- My kit was missing siphon break - submitted a ticket.
- Fails wet - prevents pumping in too much water.
- Warranty registration was easily done with a QR scan on the box.
I have three of the wifi power bars running with no issues.
He is an engineer, so I assume he knows what he is doing... either way, this is why I would not choose a wifi system. Can't understand why they don't just make a hard wired option (doesn't get any simpler or more reliable than that).
It’s the Orbi! I also have an Orbi and would occasionally lose connection to the WiFi strips. The Orbi does not segregate the 2.4/5 ghz bands, it’s a mesh network. Coralvue has confirmed this is not recommended for Hydros. After setting up a new Access Point with a hard wired extender, I have not had any drops.
What makes you think they are not working on a hard wired option. It takes a lot longer to introduce a control unit with AC included and also get it certified. Also with all the shortages and logistic issue lately it has slowed down the release of their new control units. They have to have enough made to cover initial sales of whatever is released. They just made the X3 public yesterday. So it must be close to a release date.
I've heard Carlos say CoralVue has no plan for a wired version on several occasions. But who knows...
