Hydros wave engine

Cobia237 · Jan 29, 2022

Looking for some confirmation on the capabilities of the wave engine and trying to decide if the Le or the full is the right way to go. Basically looking at least running two octopulse 2 for a 50 gallon lagoon. On that aspect the wave Le seems to be the logical purchase. Then I got looking at a various 4 for a return pump. I see you can purchase the octopulse 2s as pump only and save some cash. So far I haven't been able to find a various 4 as a pump only purchase anyone know if that's possible? Even if that's not the case, the full wave now appears attractive, since I understand it it seems I could run the two wave makers and return pump on the direct drive ports of the wave engine, this would eliminate three controllers and three plugs correct? I would still have one drive empty. Is it possible to run the reef octopus varios skimmer pumps through the wave engine?

My other question would be if you are running the varios as direct drive is there any additional benefit or reason to also connect the 0-10v?

Thanks

Peace River · Jan 29, 2022

@JeffB418 @n2585722 @reefiniteasy - can you help with this question? Thanks!

n2585722 · Jan 29, 2022

If the Varios skimmer pump is the S version it will not control it via direct drive but you can use one of the 0-10v outputs to control via the 0-10v input on the Varios controller. If you are thinking about the Hydros controller the outputs on the WaveEngine can be shared with them in a collective and that will open their use up to other possibilities. It sounds like you will need three outputs so the WaveEngine would be the one to get instead of the LE.

Cobia237 · Jan 29, 2022

Thanks N.. that's what I thought when it came to the varios skimmer pump. Good to know I can control but stinks you can't eliminate the controller/plug. Might even skip out on the DC pump on the skimmer. That price jump on AC/DC skimmers is pretty steep. And yes definitely planning on a full hydros system. As of now it looks like I could pretty well cover my system with a control 4, xp8, and wave engine. And I see a potential long term addition of a combination of xs/control 2 to run ro/di.
I have read a lot of your threads on the hydros. Thanks for the info you provide.

n2585722 · Jan 30, 2022

No problem, glad to help. Are you looking at one of these https://www.coralvue.com/hydros-control-x4-xp8-pro-pack . It has everything to start a collective with the X4 and XP8 included and has a temp probe and pH probe.

Poochaku · Jan 30, 2022

Cobia237 said:
Thanks N.. that's what I thought when it came to the varios skimmer pump. Good to know I can control but stinks you can't eliminate the controller/plug. Might even skip out on the DC pump on the skimmer. That price jump on AC/DC skimmers is pretty steep. And yes definitely planning on a full hydros system. As of now it looks like I could pretty well cover my system with a control 4, xp8, and wave engine. And I see a potential long term addition of a combination of xs/control 2 to run ro/di.
I have read a lot of your threads on the hydros. Thanks for the info you provide.

You can run the skimmer from the wave engine direct drive. As far as i know, only powerheads are sold as pump only currently. But it is VERY nice running 2 powerheads, return, and skimmer from 1 wave engine.

Cobia237 · Jan 30, 2022

n2585722 said:
No problem, glad to help. Are you looking at one of these https://www.coralvue.com/hydros-control-x4-xp8-pro-pack . It has everything to start a collective with the X4 and XP8 included and has a temp probe and pH probe.

That's the plan

Cobia237 · Jan 30, 2022

Can I? Now we seem to have some contradictory info. Although after looking at the reef octo skimmers with DC pumps. Not sure I really see a model small enough for a 50-70 gallon set up

n2585722 · Jan 30, 2022

I have seen Carlos say in more than one post that the S version of the Varios is not supported on direct drive. I have not tried one so I have to go with what Carlos said in other post. You can always contact support at CoralVue and ask them directly.

Poochaku · Jan 31, 2022

n2585722 said:
I have seen Carlos say in more than one post that the S version of the Varios is not supported on direct drive. I have not tried one so I have to go with what Carlos said in other post. You can always contact support at CoralVue and ask them directly.

That is correct. It is not officially supported. It works though... proceed at your own risk but I am enjoying the he'll out of this setup.