Is Hydros right for me?

F&S reef · Apr 8, 2022

To be clear I'm in the buying phase for my tank setup. I have everything I need / want but want to go ahead and add a controller during the "build phase" so its not cumbersome to add later.

My goals for a controller are...

1) ease of use / ease of setup
2) monitor temp, ph, orp, (possibly salinity) ACCURATELY
3) have app accessibility
4) control all flow pumps which consist of a pair of Mp40's and an M2 return pump.
5) have at least 1 flow sensor
6) monitor power consumption of all accessories that are plugged in to the power bar.

I have to say that I am not really interested in the apex line of stuff. I am really attracted to the GHL stuff quality wise but not the setup or learning curve. This Hydros looks to be in between apex and GHL on quality and super easy to setup / run. How far off am I on that assumption? Anything else I should be looking at? Ive been reading and reading and reading for weeks now and I dont feel any closer to buying a unit. I am now down to this is the last piece and I need to get it figured out.

dantimdad · Apr 8, 2022

Following... I have the same questions even though I have an apex already.

n2585722 · Apr 9, 2022

It was easy for me but I was already used to a Digital Aquatics Archon controller. They do not have a salinity probe but I do not miss it since it was off quite a bit of the time. They do want to have some type of salinity monitoring but they are looking at something other than a conductivity probe. There are several people that have DIY'ed flow sensors to the Hydros. The Hydros has the setting for the flow sensors and the ones that are being used appear to interface correctly. I have not tried one myself though. The Wave Engine v2 will control the Vortech MP series pumps using master slave mode. The Wave Engine acts like the master pump. You would have to install a EchoTech RF module in the Wave Engine to do this. There is a socket in place for it. It will not control the Vortech return pumps other than power. There are a few it will control either via 0-10v or some even direct drive. The XP8 has 8 AC outlets that have power monitoring for each individual outlet. The Wifi strips do not have power monitoring. The drive ports do have power monitoring though. I can post some setup screenshots of some of the things I have setup if there is a specific thing you want to see. I do have a WEv2 controlling my two MP10's.

dantimdad · Apr 9, 2022

n2585722 said:
It was easy for me but I was already used to a Digital Aquatics Archon controller. They do not have a salinity probe but ai do not miss it since it was off quite a bit of the time.they do want to have some type of salinity monitoring but they are looking at something other than a conductivity probe. There are several people that have DIY'ed flow sensors to the Hydros. The Hydros has the setting for the flow sensors and the ones that are being used appear to interface correctly. I have not tried one myself though. The Wave Engine v2 will control the Vortech MP series pumps using master slave mode. The Wave Engine acts like the master pump. You would have to install a EchoTech Raf module in the Wave Engine to to this. There is a socket in place for it. It will not control the Vortech return pumps other than power. There are a few it will control either via 0-10v or some even direct drive. The XP8 has 8 AC outlets that have power monitoring for each individual outlet. The Wifi strips do not have power monitoring. The drive ports do have power monitoring though. I can post some setup screenshots of some of the things I have setup if there is a specific thing you want to see. I do have a WEv2 controlling my two MP10's.

Sorry to hijack. Have you setup auto water changing? I was at the Expo in Atlanta last weekend and the rep talked about it in the booth.

n2585722 · Apr 9, 2022

dantimdad said:
Sorry to hijack. Have you setup auto water changing? I was at the Expo in Atlanta last weekend and the rep talked about it in the booth.

I do auto water changes with the Hydros but I don't use their AWC regimen since I use a dual head dosing pump. Their regimen requires separate drain and fill pumps. It also requires using the ATO built into the regimen for it to work. It works great though. Since I use a dosing pump to do it I use a dosing schedule so it is the same as dosing to the Hydros.

F&S reef · Apr 9, 2022

n2585722 said:
It was easy for me but I was already used to a Digital Aquatics Archon controller. They do not have a salinity probe but ai do not miss it since it was off quite a bit of the time.they do want to have some type of salinity monitoring but they are looking at something other than a conductivity probe. There are several people that have DIY'ed flow sensors to the Hydros. The Hydros has the setting for the flow sensors and the ones that are being used appear to interface correctly. I have not tried one myself though. The Wave Engine v2 will control the Vortech MP series pumps using master slave mode. The Wave Engine acts like the master pump. You would have to install a EchoTech Raf module in the Wave Engine to to this. There is a socket in place for it. It will not control the Vortech return pumps other than power. There are a few it will control either via 0-10v or some even direct drive. The XP8 has 8 AC outlets that have power monitoring for each individual outlet. The Wifi strips do not have power monitoring. The drive ports do have power monitoring though. I can post some setup screenshots of some of the things I have setup if there is a specific thing you want to see. I do have a WEv2 controlling my two MP10's.

Thanks for the input, I am trying to absorb all of this and am struggling with what a WEv2 is? Can you link it or is this something that if I dont know what it that I should just leave it alone? lol

n2585722 · Apr 9, 2022

F&S reef said:
Thanks for the input, I am trying to absorb all of this and am struggling with what a WEv2 is? Can you link it or is this something that if I dont know what it that I should just leave it alone? lol

Here is a link to a WEv2. It is one of the controllers in the Hydros family of controllers specific to the control of various pumps. The RF modules are kind of hard to come by lately. They are a EcoTech made module. I had a ReefLink that I was using for control of my MP10's so I just removed the RF module from it and installed it in my WEv2. On the Hydros you can make a collective with several controllers. Once in a collective they act like one larger controller and share inputs and outputs as if it is one controller. So instead of having a main brain and several modules the brain is distributed among various the controllers.

HYDROS WaveEngine v2 Pump Controller

The HYDROS WaveEngine v2 can control, monitor, and even supply power to a variety of different aquarium pumps. Now you can use pumps from different brands together using a single, integrated flow management system. The WaveEngine v2 can also supply power to up to 4 pumps, freeing you of the...

www.coralvue.com

F&S reef · Apr 9, 2022

n2585722 said:
Here is a link to a WEv2. It is one of the controllers in the Hydros family of controllers specific to the control of various pumps. The RF modules are kind of hard to come by lately. They are a EcoTech made module. I had a ReefLink that I was using for control of my MP10's so I just removed the RF module from it and installed it in my WEv2. On the Hydros you can make a collective with several controllers. Once in a collective they act like one larger controller and share inputs and outputs as if it is one controller. So instead of having a main brain and several modules the brain is distributed among various the controllers.

HYDROS WaveEngine v2 Pump Controller

The HYDROS WaveEngine v2 can control, monitor, and even supply power to a variety of different aquarium pumps. Now you can use pumps from different brands together using a single, integrated flow management system. The WaveEngine v2 can also supply power to up to 4 pumps, freeing you of the...

www.coralvue.com

Ok, this I've seen and want to add it to my list. When you say RF module is this a hydros product or someone else?

n2585722 · Apr 9, 2022

F&S reef said:
Ok, this I've seen and want to add it to my list. When you say RF module is this a hydros product or someone else?

The RF module is an EcoTech product but the WEv2 has the sockets so you can add it to the WEv2 so it can talk to the Vortech pumps. I have some photos of when I removed one from my ReefLink and installed it in my WEv2 in my build thread on page 8 post# 149 here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/canopy-and-stand-build-for-42-gallon-hex-tank.317822/page-8 .

F&S reef · Apr 9, 2022

n2585722 said:
The RF module is an EcoTech product but the WEv2 has the sockets so you can add it to the WEv2 so it can talk to the Vortech pumps. I have some photos of when I removed one from my ReefLink and installed it in my WEv2 in my build thread on page 8 post# 149 here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/canopy-and-stand-build-for-42-gallon-hex-tank.317822/page-8 .

I see now.... you cannibalized the reef link and added the RF module to the hydros. I am seeing the reef link on BRS right now? am I missing something about it being hard to get? Also with the reef link having its own app did you just want it all in one place? I am trying to see why you took apart and rendered a $200 module useless is all.

My M2 pump says it is "mobius ready" which from what I am seing has zero to do with the reef link. Why did they do that? Why have a product that doesn't work with the other products you have? (ecotech)

n2585722 · Apr 9, 2022

The M2 cannot be controlled with the WEv2 but any of the MP series as long as it does not have the mobius firmware installed. They can be downgraded if needed. The RF module can be purchased from EcoTech when it is available. Here is a link https://store2.ecotechmarine.com/products/rf-module-for-ecosmart-drivers-3 . I already had the ReefLink for around 6 years. I got the WaveEngine to have everything controlled in one place. Also it is a pain to change anything with ReefLink. The WE is a lot easier to setup. I don't think any of the return pumps will work with any controllers other than theirs. That happened when Neptune started making their own pumps.

F&S reef · Apr 9, 2022

n2585722 said:
The M2 cannot be controlled with the WEv2 but any of the MP series as long as it does not have the mobius firmware installed. They can be downgraded if needed. The RF module can be purchased from EcoTech when it is available. Here is a link https://store2.ecotechmarine.com/products/rf-module-for-ecosmart-drivers-3 . I already had the ReefLink for around 6 years. I got the WaveEngine to have everything controlled in one place. Also it is a pain to change anything with ReefLink. Tye WE is a lot easier to setup. I don't think any of the return pumps will work with any controllers other than theirs. That happened when Neptune started making their own pumps.

Ok, I understand now. SO..... If I get the hydros with the WEv2, I can add the RF module (if I can get it) and then be able to control the pair of mp40's through the hydros.

If I do as described above How much of the cordage / power supply / control box thing will I be able to ditch from each MP40? Both of them were manufactured within the last 4 months if it matters.

As far as the M2 I suppose I could monitor with the flow meter setup you were talking about and the power consumption through the energy bar. I am not sure if the mobius app will allow connection to it from anywhere or if I would need the reef link.

I know I have more questions but. This should get me started down the road to automation control. How are you feeling about the accuracy of the PH probe? I see the phrase "lab grade" thrown around a lot for the GHL stuff. How do these compare? The GHL is 10% off right now on BRS, im wondering it the quality is so much better that its worth the hassle.

n2585722 · Apr 9, 2022

F&S reef said:
Ok, I understand now. SO..... If I get the hydros with the WEv2, I can add the RF module (if I can get it) and then be able to control the pair of mp40's through the hydros.

If I do as described above How much of the cordage / power supply / control box thing will I be able to ditch from each MP40? Both of them were manufactured within the last 4 months if it matters.

As far as the M2 I suppose I could monitor with the flow meter setup you were talking about and the power consumption through the energy bar. I am not sure if the mobius app will allow connection to it from anywhere or if I would need the reef link.

I know I have more questions but. This should get me started down the road to automation control. How are you feeling about the accuracy of the PH probe? I see the phrase "lab grade" thrown around a lot for the GHL stuff. How do these compare? The GHL is 10% off right now on BRS, im wondering it the quality is so much better that its worth the hassle.

You will probably need to downgrade the firmware on the MP40's but the instructions to do that are on both the EcoTech and Hydros sites.

As far as the MP40's you will still need their power pack and controllers. The WE controls them by becoming a master pump and the MP40's would be set as slaves in either same side, opposite side or back positioning. So your MP10's would think they are following another pump setup as the master.

Mobius does not use ReefLink it uses bluetooth and an app. The Hydros does monitor power on individual outputs for the XP8, drive ports and the single wifi outlet. The wifi power strips do not have power monitoring.

The Hydros comes with a Pinpoint pH probe but most BNC type probes will work for it. It had 3 point calibration but only two are needed depending on what the probe is used for. The X4 has two probe ports and the X3 has one probe port. These can be used for either pH or ORP probes. The other current controllers do not have probe ports. The temp sensor uses a sense port instead of a probe port. Most other sensors use the sense ports as their input. Each port has a digital and a analog input as well as a 5v source to the device that you connect to it. When setup an input you have to tell it which port to use and what is connected to it. Below is a setup screenshot of two inputs one is a pH probe and the other is a temp sensor. The safe range settings once set determine when you get an alert for the input being out of the safe range. The notification levels are none, yellow, orange and red. You can set those to either send a email, push notification and/or set off visual and audible local alerts. The push notifications and emails will repeat on a schedule you set until it is back in safe zone. It will also send a notification on the repeat schedule if it foes back into the safe zone. The local alerts will continue until it is back in the safe zone. I only have that set for leaks. The third screenshot is the setup for an output. In this case it is for the return pump. It also has safe zone settings in watts. If it goes out of that zone it will send an alert. I did not use any advanced settings on this output but for something like ATO you will want to use them. Especially minimum on time, maximum on time, maximum off time and minimum off time.

sucker4puffers · May 12, 2022

I really like my setup. I have the hydros control x4 with 2 power strips, ato sensor and ato system, skimmer sensors, leak sensor, temperature probe, ph sensor. I love the setup. I can go on vacations with no worries. Wifi hasn’t failed me.

Cell · May 12, 2022

sucker4puffers said:
I really like my setup. I have the hydros control x4 with 2 power strips, ato sensor and ato system, skimmer sensors, leak sensor, temperature probe, ph sensor. I love the setup. I can go on vacations with no worries. Wifi hasn’t failed me.

All that wonderful coverage, but no emergency drain?

Nanojoe · May 12, 2022

I really like my hydros. Its super simple and does all the basic tasking i need it to do. It is a great tool to have on your reef and could save your reef in some instances. I did a small write up comparing apex to hydros since ive had hands on with both products. should be in the article section still.

polyppal · May 12, 2022

I love mine a billion times more than any apex system I ever had. Entire system was setup in like 20-30m

polyppal said:
When it comes to a controller, I am mostly concerned about precise temperature monitoring/control, live monitoring, ATO integration, and light timers. I can count on one hand how many times ive checked a PH or ORP probe on previous systems, so I decided to forego those functions.

I custom built my Hydros system to fit my needs with coralvue, mostly because they didn't have any XP8 packages available, and I didn't want anything with the hokey little wifi bars... So my system consists of:

Collective:

XP8 Bar $279

X3 Controller $199

Magnet Temp Mount $25

Command Bus Terminators (2) $10

Command Bus Cord $10

ATO System:

Optical Water Sensor $40

ATO Pump $25

(the kit is $80, if you buy the components separate it comes to $65, so they're
charging you an extra $15 for some airline tubing)

Total System Cost: $588 (comparable to entry level ApexEL, plus included the impressive Hydros optical ATO unit)

I am still using the Kamoer X1 app and X1s for dosing, Coralvue does not have any good dosing options yet (they make an X1 with hydros command connector, but they cannot be daisy chained, which makes them mostly useless).

I will likely get a hydros 4-head doser option when they release one (prob a rebranded Kamoer F4 with one command bus needed)

F&S reef · May 12, 2022

How are people dosing for mag, cal, alk, etc... when the hydros can't measure for those levels? Are they calculating the usage / needs of the tank and just telling it to put X amount in to compensate?

n2585722 · May 12, 2022

F&S reef said:
How are people dosing for mag, cal, alk, etc... when the hydros can't measure for those levels? Are they calculating the usage / needs of the tank and just telling it to put X amount in to compensate?

The Hydros can retrieve those from the Mastertronic if you want to automate it. I dose All For Reef and don't dose them separately. I just check them once a week mostly with the Hanna checkers and adjust my dose if a trend begins.