Who is using hydros to control heaters?

[Kershaw]

Who is using hydros to control heater? If so how are you doing so?

I have always used my apex JR with just titanium heating elements. I have never use a dedicated controller.
My next build i am having trouble deciding on going with apex or hydros and I am hoping this will help me decide.
the power strips for hydros don’t look very heavy duty for such a high amp draw task.
thanks.

 

[Hasted]

My Inkbird does my heater controlling.

My Hydros just watches the temp to send me alerts if needed.

If you do want to use a heater, it is very simple.

There is a template already for it. All you have to do is say the TYPE is heater and all this is brought up. From there select your desired levels.

Active in modes can be used if your heaters become exposed during WCs or something.

 

[Kershaw]

My Inkbird does my heater controlling.

My Hydros just watches the temp to send me alerts if needed.

If you do want to use a heater, it is very simple.

There is a template already for it. All you have to do is say the TYPE is heater and all this is brought up. From there select your desired levels.

Active in modes can be used if your heaters become exposed during WCs or something.

Is the ink bird plugged into the hydros power strip?

 

[jrill]

Is the ink bird plugged into the hydros power strip?

That's how I do it too. I have two 75, watt heaters plugged into Inkbird which is plugged into the Hydros power strip. My heaters control temp. Inkbird keep them from going too high if the malfunction and the Hydros then monitors and will shut them both down if the heaters and Inkbird were to get stuck on for some reason. Hydros temp sensor sends alerts if out of range.

 

[Hasted]

Is the ink bird plugged into the hydros power strip?

Mine is not. I started that way, but removed the Inkbird once I realized I didn't need to use the Hydros for it. Also freed a plug for something else.

My situation may be different than yours which may result in a different set up.

I work 5 minutes from home and never travel. If anything DOES happen to the Finnex thermostat and THEN something happens to my Inkbird, my Hydros will let me know. I will then just drive home.

I don't think that is a very high possibility, though.

 

[Kershaw]

Mine is not. I started that way, but removed the Inkbird once I realized I didn't need to use the Hydros for it. Also freed a plug for something else.

My situation may be different than yours which may result in a different set up.

I work 5 minutes from home and never travel. If anything DOES happen to the Finnex thermostat and THEN something happens to my Inkbird, my Hydros will let me know. I will then just drive home.

I don't think that is a very high possibility, though.

I appreciate your in put. I’m just scared of change... I had apex jr for 6 years running heaters with out issue. There is just so many heater malfunction threads, I just want to make a good decision on my controller and heating choices.

 

[Kershaw]

That's how I do it too. I have two 75, watt heaters plugged into Inkbird which is plugged into the Hydros power strip. My heaters control temp. Inkbird keep them from going too high if the malfunction and the Hydros then monitors and will shut them both down if the heaters and Inkbird were to get stuck on for some reason. Hydros temp sensor sends alerts if out of range.

What size tank are you running like this?

 

[Hasted]

I appreciate your in put. I’m just scared of change... I had apex jr for 6 years running heaters with out issue. There is just so many heater malfunction threads, I just want to make a good decision on my controller and heating choices.

I agree.

Difference between my set up and yours is that you are using just elements. I think having a second layer of protection like the Hydros would be beneficial to you.

My heaters each have their own thermostat built in. Thats my first line of defense. Then Inkbird is backup. 3 failsafes would be overkill for me. I may still end up doing it down the line if I buy another Hydros strip, though.

 

[Viva'sReef]

I am using 2x 200w Cobalt aquatics heaters. They have their own thermostat (which I've found to be off by quite a bit) and also plugged into my Hydros strip. If the internal thermostat fails on the Cobalt aquatics and it sticks on, the strip will eventually shut them off when it reaches my high temp max setting. Same for if they do not power on and the tank falls below my low temp alert - I will receive 200 text messages between the time I walk from the living room to my fish tank letting me know its High/Low. The Hydros literally blows up my phone and email when it sends me a Red Alert

 

[Kershaw]

I am using 2x 200w Cobalt aquatics heaters. They have their own thermostat (which I've found to be off by quite a bit) and also plugged into my Hydros strip. If the internal thermostat fails on the Cobalt aquatics and it sticks on, the strip will eventually shut them off when it reaches my high temp max setting. Same for if they do not power on and the tank falls below my low temp alert - I will receive 200 text messages between the time I walk from the living room to my fish tank letting me know its High/Low. The Hydros literally blows up my phone and email when it sends me a Red Alert

Do you feel that the hydros power strip is well built? Have you tested to see what it does after a power outage. Does it resume heating once power is restored?

 

[HM3105]

I'm running 3 heaters on one outlet, I think they're 150w x2 and 1 250w. Hydros runs them all. Haven't had an issue.

I'm in texas they held up fine after this winter storm with the power on and off every hour for a few days.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Do you feel that the hydros power strip is well built? Have you tested to see what it does after a power outage. Does it resume heating once power is restored?

Only time will tell on the quality of the powerstrip. For $40 it seems super cheap but it feels good in my hands and the switches sound good when they click on and off.

No issues with power loss. I've lost power here in Michigan for one reason or another and everything comes back online without issue.

 

[Kershaw]

Thank you all for your reply’s. This helped a great deal as there is still so little info out on the hydros as far actual user experience.

 

[DucatiGtr]

The hydro is like an apex
Or? Sorry

looking to get all new heaters on controllers as well

 

[Kershaw]

The hydro is like an apex
Or? Sorry

looking to get all new heaters on controllers as well

Yes, hydros is a new controller on the market as of OCT I believe.
It seems to be the most promising controller to come on the market in a long time. Apex and GHL are really the only two prior to this that IMO where worth anything.

 

[DucatiGtr]

Yes, hydros is a new controller on the market as of OCT I believe.
It seems to be the most promising controller to come on the market in a long time. Apex and GHL are really the only two prior to this that IMO where worth anything.

Thanks I’ll look Into it.. i have a doser, ai led, and fall safes for the slimmer and so on.. so I really only want the controller for the heaters..
I know some controllers measure all and calcium but I test weekly and don’t chase numbers.. i don’t fully trust them w the chemicals...

 

[Kershaw]

Thanks I’ll look Into it.. i have a doser, ai led, and fall safes for the slimmer and so on.. so I really only want the controller for the heaters..
I know some controllers measure all and calcium but I test weekly and don’t chase numbers.. i don’t fully trust them w the chemicals...

Then maybe you just need the inkbird WiFi heater controller

 

[ajl]

I vastly prefer another thermostat directly controlling the heater. Either built in or an Inkbird. Because the plug is Wifi, it isn't controllable if your Wifi Router dies. And while it's very unlikely that your thermostat fails when your Wifi dies, it is a matter of time before your wifi dies and, when it does, it would be very good if your heater didn't get stuck on or off. Both too hot and too cold are real problems.

 

[wishntoboutside]

there is a CoralVue live stream today that will go over this in more detail

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CoralVueAquariumProducts

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CoralVueTV

 

[Kershaw]

I vastly prefer another thermostat directly controlling the heater. Either built in or an Inkbird. Because the plug is Wifi, it isn't controllable if your Wifi Router dies. And while it's very unlikely that your thermostat fails when your Wifi dies, it is a matter of time before your wifi dies and, when it does, it would be very good if your heater didn't get stuck on or off. Both too hot and too cold are real problems.

This is one of the concerns I have. My apex when lost WiFi it continues even if WiFi or internet is down with its schedule. That is not the case with hydros correct?