Hydros Control 4 Review, Thoughts, and Questions -

[Barnabie Mejia]

Well I always said that I wasn't going to put a controller on my tank so I can be a little more intimate with it.... but after having to deal with so many manual functions for simple tasks it was time.
For example, Feeding: Turn MP40 & MP10 for feed mode, return pump to feed mode, Skimmer off... then feed. 5 min later turn on MP10 to kick food back up into water column for fish to eat. 5min after that, turn on MP40, return pump fires back up on its own, 5-10 min after that turn skimmer on so ATO doesn't go crazy with level drop. so in reality I was spending 20 min baby sitting equipment instead of enjoying the tank while its being fed.

I shopped around online and here for an APEX controller and was darn near ready to pull the trigger. I head a podcast on Reef News Network on the Hydros and it started to change my mind on what I wanted. everyone I know runs an APEX or nothing at all on their tanks. Then I started reading reviews on APEXs and I wasn't liking what I was seeing. I honestly felt like I didn't want to be behind the curve on this product and I know there are many that feel that it is too new to buy right now because of possible issues with it that haven't been worked out yet.
I was at my LFS and had a "screw it" moment and bought a Control 4 and ATO kit!

I was a little intimidated at first by the programming but it went so smooth and only took about an hour to get everything set up. (that's me not counting the 45 min it took me to realize that I was entering the wrong wifi password)

I was able to modify modes for feeding, and water changes, the wifi power strip connected flawlessly, and probe calibration was a breeze. the interface (if that is the right term to use) that is used for setting up parameters and alarms is super easy to use and as advertised, I didn't have to write a single code to get it up and running.
I am excited to see what is coming in the future for add ons and other compatible devices for the Control 4. I really like the fact that I can see the tile light up on the app when something is wrong and I can assess the situation from anywhere with the cloud. and being able to track trends with the graph option is a nice feature as well.

I also did order some more sensors and I am wondering if I should order a control 2 to run my frag tank or water change station, but I am positive that I will be getting a SENSE when they are available.

I did run into an issue with the water level sensor for the ATO, it was not lighting up like my autoaqua one, but the app says that its reading that it is wet yet not triggering the pump. I did send a help ticket to see if it is a bad sensor or a bad user haha. I will keep you all posted on it. Did anyone have any bumps similar to this one with your controller?


Thanks,
Barnabie

 

[n2585722]

I think it has to go to dry to trigger the pump on.

 

[jrill]

It doesn't light up. It works great though.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

It doesn't light up. It works great though.

I have pulled it out of the water to see if it would trigger the pump and no luck. I also have tried two other ports with the same result. I guess I can wait a couple of days for them to get back to me and possibly send me a replacement seeing that I already had an ATO on the tank.

Thanks for the tips!!

Barnabie

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

Next question:

What are some reliable options to run a AWC with the Control 4? I have 3 komer dosers that I absolutely love, but I don't know how they will hold up with the kind of duty cycle required for water changes of about 2 - 2.5 gallons a day.....

an AWC would make a huge difference on my maintenance schedule!!!

Thanks,

Barnabie

 

[n2585722]

Does the sensor say dry when it is out of the water? Can you post some screenshots of your settings for your water level sensor and your ATO output? The ones for mine are below. Don't try to use these settings though. I use a dosing pump for an ATO and it may have a lot lower flow rate than the one you are using.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Mine does not light up either but I never thought it did in the first place. It does work flawlessly though sensing wet/dry and the program does the rest

 

[n2585722]

Next question:

What are some reliable options to run a AWC with the Control 4? I have 3 komer dosers that I absolutely love, but I don't know how they will hold up with the kind of duty cycle required for water changes of about 2 - 2.5 gallons a day.....

an AWC would make a huge difference on my maintenance schedule!!!

Thanks,

Barnabie

I use these pumps on my 42 gallon tank For AWC and ATO.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

I use these pumps on my 42 gallon tank For AWC and ATO.

How are you running these? Out of the drive port? I would be interested in trying to set this up for my tank!
where can I find the pumps at?

 

[n2585722]

Yes, I use the drive ports. One port for the ATO and another port for both AWC pumps. The pumps have an adjustable flow rate so I just match the two used for AWC. I got the pumps from Amazon. I think they are around $26 each.

 

[reeferKen]

Texas, thanks for sharing. Do your dosing pumps come with that drive port plug shown or do you have get some wire strippers and make your own plug end? Thanks in advance.

 

[n2585722]

I got the cord from Mouser and added the GX12 connector to the end. The pump does come with a AC adapter.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/172-181152-E/

 

[reefiniteasy]

@Barnabie Mejia the Control XS is available to order from CoralVue’s website right now.

 

[reeferKen]

Danny TX, do i understand right you have 3 of those dosing pumps. Two for Auto water change (one for exit water, one for inlet Salt water). Then the Auto top off (one for inlet Fresh water). I was thinking for three pumps on drive ports you would have to be running a Control 4 and a Control 2 to have enough drive ports?

Now your AWC saltwater container....that has to always have a heater inside it right. So the auto water change saltwater going in is the same temp? Thanks for the help.

 

[n2585722]

First I have 2 Control 2's and 1 Control 4 in my garage so I have 6 drive ports out there. I do not heat my three storage tanks. One is a mix tank, one is for fresh saltwater and the other is DI water. They are 20 gallons each. The pumps run at around 60ml per minute for 15 minutes at a time So there is not enough water swapped a any one time for temp to be an issue. I actually have 5 of the pumps but only three are in use. I plan on moving my All for Reef dosing over to one of the pumps also. Right now that is done with a DP1. I was planning on doing that when I get all the tubing completed on my control board in my garage. Below is a photo of the control board. I have the two unused pumps in the slots where they will eventually go. I also found a double head motor that I plan on trying on the auto water change. I tested it and got it to within less than a 1% difference in the two pump heads by swapping parts around in the two pump heads. The three pumps on the stand on the work bench in the lower right corner are the ones in use. The three storage tanks are under the workbench.