Hydros Control Board Show Off!

[Layne.Wilson]

About to pull the trigger on a new hydros system looking for some control board inspiration.

 

[n2585722]

The only control board I have is in the garage. Everything at the tank is in the stand. It was built with separate compartments for the electronics.

 

[Layne.Wilson]

The only control board I have is in the garage. Everything at the tank is in the stand. It was built with separate compartments for the electronics.

Sweet setup! thanks for sharing

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Same boat, anymore inspiration out there?

 

[bob88884]

I, too, am considering the Hydros system; I think I want a nice-looking board to mount beside my tank to show off the controllers, as I like the industrial look and don't want to hide them. I am using Neptune equipment now, all on a board in the cabinet. Good equipment but has a goofy look to it, at least to me.
I have reached out to Octo Aquatics about custom building one.

 

[n2585722]

I, too, am considering the Hydros system; I think I want a nice-looking board to mount beside my tank to show off the controllers, as I like the industrial look and don't want to hide them. I am using Neptune equipment now, all on a board in the cabinet. Good equipment but has a goofy look to it, at least to me.
I have reached out to Octo Aquatics about custom building one.

I did add this in the room next to the tank. It has the Kraken and 2 X10's mounted on it. I also got the Hydros sign and added it also. I made the controller board but I imagine there are ones out there that are similar.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Absolutely ridiculous form factor. It is as bad or worse than Neptune. I can’t fathom who comes up with this nonsense, let alone decides to bring it to market. Everything is a different size and thickness, connectors going in random directions, etc.

 

[bob88884]

Not having any of them, I can't speak to that, I do love the look and everything I have read about them is all good as far as operational and esse of use.

 

[bob88884]

I did add this in the room next to the tank. It has the Kraken and 2 X10's mounted on it. I also got the Hydros sign and added it also. I made the controller board but I imagine there are ones out there that are similar.

I like what you have done.
I don't have a separate room, I think I am going to mount mine on the wall with the board itself on hinges like a medicine cabinet.
I have no idea how big it needs to be, I am going to start with Launch, wave pump control, X8, and then the Kraken. I'll need space for a couple of X10's, etc.
Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated, I'm trying to get my mind wrapped around all the things I need or want going forward.

 

[n2585722]

The Kr

I like what you have done.
I don't have a separate room, I think I am going to mount mine on the wall with the board itself on hinges like a medicine cabinet.
I have no idea how big it needs to be, I am going to start with Launch, wave pump control, X8, and then the Kraken. I'll need space for a couple of X10's, etc.
Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated, I'm trying to get my mind wrapped around all the things I need or want going forward.

Kraken and XP8 use the same size case. There is a lip on the ends of the cases with to holes on each end to mount them. The Launch and XP8 have a power cord that comes out about center on one end. There is also a circuit breaker there. Otherwise all connectors are on the face of the controller and they are GX12 type connector. All the connectors have a color around them that denotes what type of connector they are. The Launch and XP8 have AC Outlets on the face also. Those 2 cannot be rated IP65 for that reason even though they do use a IP65 rated case like the other controllers. I think the Hydros website has dimensions for the controllers but I used the controllers themselves since I had them before making the control boards. The smaller controllers X2, X3, XS and XD all use the same box. I think the WEv2 and X4 have the same size case. The X10 and the minnow have the dosing pumps mounted out the sides of their cases but all the connectors are on the face of the controller. Hydros has a facebook group that is quite active and that is here if you have not checked it out https://m.facebook.com/groups/hydrosgroup/?ref=share . There is also a forum here https://forum.coralvuehydros.com/ . I currently have 15 controllers in my collective. There are 7 at the tank and the other 8 are in the garage at my RODI unit and mixing station.

 

[bob88884]

Thank you for the information

 

[BZOFIQ]

Absolutely ridiculous form factor. It is as bad or worse than Neptune. I can’t fathom who comes up with this nonsense, let alone decides to bring it to market. Everything is a different size and thickness, connectors going in random directions, etc.

You're not wrong.

 

[bakbay]

That’s one sweet setup - congrats! I totally dig the panel and esp the Hydros sign (might need to get one myself).

Anyway, here is my Hydros setup, not a show-off. I still need to do some cable management and mount it.

 

[BR260354]

I've added and moved things around since this picture.

 

[Toky916]

This is my journey of switching out my entire Apex system last year after reaching my final straw with it. My EB832 and 1Link failed on the same day, and just a few months before that, I had to replace my Apex pumps due to random failures.

While I agree that the Hydros system might have different thicknesses and some wires may stick out, overall, I find Hydros to be better. I've significantly reduced the number of power supplies and cables. Apex required more power supplies or modules, which added to the clutter.

 

[n2585722]

I like the looks of the Hydros systems. They are easy enough to mount since the

You're not wrong.

cases have the mounting brackets as part of the case. I take 4 screws once you have it placed where you want it to attach the case to the controller board. I currently have 15 controllers in my collective which is split between the tank and the mixing station in the garage.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I like the looks of the Hydros systems. They are easy enough to mount since the

cases have the mounting brackets as part of the case. I take 4 screws once you have it placed where you want it to attach the case to the controller board. I currently have 15 controllers in my collective which is split between the tank and the mixing station in the garage.

I too prefer the ears designed in the case of the initial Apex module (like current Hydros) vs the new mount but we were talking about the non-uniformity of the Hydros modules dimensions in general.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I like the looks of the Hydros systems. They are easy enough to mount since the

cases have the mounting brackets as part of the case. I take 4 screws once you have it placed where you want it to attach the case to the controller board. I currently have 15 controllers in my collective which is split between the tank and the mixing station in the garage.

To each their own and (no offense to anybody here) but functionally the form factor is poorly thought out and none of those setups look efficient or appealing. The devices themselves might look "cool" and may be easy to mount... but wow what a mess they create. A rats nest of wires and hoses that takes up exponentially more room than need be.

This is a result of "Hey that would look cool man" R&D and not actual analysis of implementation. Heck, even their displays at trade shows look pretty bad.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I too prefer the ears designed in the case of the initial Apex module (like current Hydros) vs the new mount but we were talking about the non-uniformity of the Hydros modules dimensions in general.

Neptune decided that different "artsy" would be a selling point. Maybe... but same deal, the form factor of their devices is random and lends itself to waste of space and no neat or organized way to use the equipment. Why does the tester look like the Sydney Opera house that must sit as an art piece? Why is everything a different oddball shape?

Anyway - that is my take.

 

[bakbay]

I have 2 Neptune & Trident and 1 Hydros across 3 tanks. On the hardware front, I like the hydros better: seems pretty well built and splash resistant. I find the mounting options very easy & appealing.

Agreed with @BeanAnimal above on the form-factor — Neptune stuff doesn’t do it for me, very odd shape, which makes things challenging to mount. Hydros is at least better in that department. However, Hydros’ UI is not refined and intuitive as I very much prefer Fusion! It’s the mobile app, stupid! lol

My 2c