thinking about buying a Hydros controller

[VacavilleFC]

Im back at the point in this hobby where I want a controller (had a reefkeeper lite years ago) to monitor things, especially since I'll be going back to work soon.

did a bunch of reading today, I think I've settled on the Hydros family, but still unsure exactly which model.

currently just want to monitor and track Temp,Ph, leak sensor, and maybe a dosing pump to get started. dont need many outlets

anything I should be aware of, or a certain model i should start with?


edit: ordered a NIB ghl profilux 4e megaset from someone

 

[Alexander1312]

I like them. Have a number of them and so have others.

For Temp, PH and leak sensor, you can by the X3.

Dosing pump built in requires a blenny, or added to the device via separate port, the X4.

I suggest to read here, or ask support@coralvue.com what they would recommend and why, and post here for independent verification of their recommendation.

Control - HYDROS

The HYDROS Controls help you manage your aquarium easily and successfully from the convenience of your mobile device. This powerful aquarium controller is capable of performing all essential functions needed to maintain a healthy aquarium.

www.coralvuehydros.com

 

[VacavilleFC]

I like them. Have a number of them and so have others.

For Temp, PH and leak sensor, you can by the X3.

Dosing pump built in requires a blenny, or added to the device via separate port, the X4.

I suggest to read here, or ask support@coralvue.com what they would recommend and why, and post here for independent verification of their recommendation.

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yeah I was looking at the x4 starter kit, it has all the basics and room to grow

 

[Alexander1312]

yeah I was looking at the x4 starter kit, it has all the basics and room to grow

The start has no PH port, unless I misunderstood your comment.

 

[VacavilleFC]

The start has no PH port, unless I misunderstood your comment.

yeah I realize that now, i found a really good deal on the x4 starter kit at $480ish from thefishroom.com. ill still need to drop another $50 for the leak detector. but that'll give me some piece of mind and room to grow.

looked at apex but I dont like the bug where your module order gets scrambled in a power outage.

and the new redsea seems pretty limited so far.

I see the Hydros wifi outlet sometime has connection issues but thats not destructive atleast

edit: just noticed those starters are cheap because they've discontinued the wifi strip


probably gonna have to go balls deep and get the pro or ghl profilux since im nearing its price range

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

The wifi strip is trash. I had 4 of them and they would always disconnect.

One of the annoying things about Hydros that I do not like is that there are constant firmware and app updates. Seems like monthly. I guess its a good and bad thing. Firmware updates can be annoyiing if you have multiple devices. I have X10 and 3 XP8 I have to update everytime. On another system I have a X4 and XP8.
Also, I always get connection issues. My router is only 25ft away from the Hydros, but it always happens and I have my wifi split on 2.4GHz only as well.

For my next tank I'm going back to Apex.

 

[VacavilleFC]

The wifi strip is trash. I had 4 of them and they would always disconnect.

One of the annoying things about Hydros that I do not like is that there are constant firmware and app updates. Seems like monthly. I guess its a good and bad thing. Firmware updates can be annoyiing if you have multiple devices. I have X10 and 3 XP8 I have to update everytime. On another system I have a X4 and XP8.
Also, I always get connection issues. My router is only 25ft away from the Hydros, but it always happens and I have my wifi split on 2.4GHz only as well.

For my next tank I'm going back to Apex.

why apex? from what ive read the can have issues recovering from power outages where it scrambles the power strip module order and can cause some scary results depending on whats plugged in where.

I have a lead on someone selling a NIB profilux megaset im considering now

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

why apex? from what ive read the can have issues recovering from power outages where it scrambles the power strip module order and can cause some scary results depending on whats plugged in where.

I have a lead on someone selling a NIB profilux megaset im considering now

I've used Apex in the past. I have a new A3 Pro in storage. Never had a problem with EB832 after power outages, unless thats a new issue thats come up in the past 2 years.

 

[VacavilleFC]

I've used Apex in the past. I have a new A3 Pro in storage. Never had a problem with EB832 after power outages, unless thats a new issue thats come up in the past 2 years.

it does seem to be in the last few years from my Googlefu, 2022-2024. after a power outage it can lose track of which plug outlet module is which meaning if you have your return pump on 1 and doser on 2 they can get switched and suddenly your return pump is off and your doser is on till you manually fix it in the app

 

[VacavilleFC]

made my decision, got a NIB profilux 4e megaset from a fellow reefer on discord for $400 shipped.

I really like how i can host my own server and not rely on cloud crap

 

[Slingfox]

I have a Hydros XP8 (great unit but not cheap) and two of the WiFi Strips (garbage since not reliable).

If I had to get a controller now I would probably go with the new RedSea line of equipment. I have the RedSea ATO which includes an ATO, temperature sensor, and leak detector. I also have a RedSea Reefmat 1200 and a pair of RedSea dosers which I use along with my 4 Versa dosers. When I am away I mostly check the RedSea app since it has 100% reliable and easy to use.

 

[VacavilleFC]

I have a Hydros XP8 (great unit but not cheap) and two of the WiFi Strips (garbage since not reliable).

If I had to get a controller now I would probably go with the new RedSea line of equipment. I have the RedSea ATO which includes an ATO, temperature sensor, and leak detector. I also have a RedSea Reefmat 1200 and a pair of RedSea dosers which I use along with my 4 Versa dosers. When I am away I mostly check the RedSea app since it has 100% reliable and easy to use.

the red sea looks nice, but i dont like that it uses proprietary non-bnc connector probes. and its also brand new so any bugs arent known yet. but if youve already invested i to that brand ecosystem its probably a good choice.

Im happy picked GHL, almost went hydros but the need for module after module to add new features annoyed me.

 

[Alexander1312]

the red sea looks nice, but i dont like that it uses proprietary non-bnc connector probes. and its also brand new so any bugs arent known yet. but if youve already invested i to that brand ecosystem its probably a good choice.

I 100% agree with this. Unproven and proprietary.

The RedSea ATO seemed great until it was not.

Overall, I consider them a bad brand and would never invest any decent amount in them / anymore.

I am thinking of replacing my last remaining RedSea product, the RedSea Refer Nano. With a CADE frag tank.

But, their new salinity probe is interesting.

Im happy picked GHL, almost went hydros but the need for module after module to add new features annoyed me.

Speaking of annoyance - the GHL apps are infamous for their complexity. Which is why people are selling them. Curious what you will say about it.

Folks in Germany buy GHL because they still cannot get Hydros yet. But they envy us for having access to that.

GHL makes great products, but even I never considered buying them here because of better local options.

 

[Thọ Key]

The wifi strip is trash. I had 4 of them and they would always disconnect.

One of the annoying things about Hydros that I do not like is that there are constant firmware and app updates. Seems like monthly. I guess its a good and bad thing. Firmware updates can be annoyiing if you have multiple devices. I have X10 and 3 XP8 I have to update everytime. On another system I have a X4 and XP8.
Also, I always get connection issues. My router is only 25ft away from the Hydros, but it always happens and I have my wifi split on 2.4GHz only as well.

For my next tank I'm going back to Apex.

I used eero wifi extension my wifi strip always connected

 

[VacavilleFC]

I 100% agree with this. Unproven and proprietary.

The RedSea ATO seemed great until it was not.

Overall, I consider them a bad brand and would never invest any decent amount in them / anymore.

I am thinking of replacing my last remaining RedSea product, the RedSea Refer Nano. With a CADE frag tank.

But, their new salinity probe is interesting.


Speaking of annoyance - the GHL apps are infamous for their complexity. Which is why people are selling them. Curious what you will say about it.

Folks in Germany buy GHL because they still cannot get Hydros yet. But they envy us for having access to that.

GHL makes great products, but even I never considered buying them here because of better local options.

I havent gotten to play with the mobile app yet, but ive watched some videos on the desktop app and absolutely love that it's like a real OG pc program and not just pretty ui/ux with no depth. Germans know how to do things right. its definitely not millennial friendly lol. I look forward to seeing how creative I can get with setting up protections and sensors.

also the fact that I can host my own server and dont have to worry about the AWS cloud having an outage or if profilux went out of business is unheard of these days.

the only bad thing I can find about them is the wifi can be finicky but they make a LAN port add on for it. which is why the discontinued the 4 port wifi strip im pretty sure

overall it seems to be the controller with the most amount of freedom and least amount bugs that could nuke your tank.

 

[gmdcdvm]

Any update on the hydros Maven water tester?

 

[Slingfox]

the red sea looks nice, but i dont like that it uses proprietary non-bnc connector probes. and its also brand new so any bugs arent known yet. but if youve already invested i to that brand ecosystem its probably a good choice.

Im happy picked GHL, almost went hydros but the need for module after module to add new features annoyed me.

I am not heavily invested in any single brand since I have a mix of Hydros, RedSea, and Ecotech. Of the three the RedSea app is the best and most reliable when trying to access if you travel a lot for business. I like Hydros overall but the pricing on some of their latest releases is not great.

I need my tank to function by itself without any intervention since I go away for 3+ weeks two or three times a year. I have a house sitter during those trips but I don’t let them touch the tank. I’ve had things malfunction while away but over time you figure out what is reliable!

 

[L/B Block]

FWIW-
Apex -fairly reliable -on occasion lose connectivity -which can be remedied by putting a pin in the reset if abs necessary. I have not had issues with the different apparatus switching roles when rebooted. But good to know in the future.

Red Sea -I have the reefmat, dosers, lights, and ato. Connectivity has dropped in the lights a couple times in the last 4 years where I needed to drop the light from the app, and then reapply. For the ato-couple times the sensor has failed -but Red Sea promptly sent me a new one. I still find it way more useful than the Neptune one and less glitchy.

If I needed a new controller today-depends on the purpose -easy softie or mangrove tank-prob go with the hydros launch that has 4 sensors and 4 electrical outlets,

For a more complex sps/mixed reef- back to apex.

The Red Sea controller is interesting but it adds up fast in cost between the power control and the other controller..

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

This may just be because I'm not 100% tech savvy, but I just finally figured out that my Apex won't connect to my wifi because it won't so 5G. *shrug*

I have had connectivity issues thow with Apex for 15 years. I would love a controller where I didn't have to learn to "code" them and could just out in 79 degrees, PH of X, Lights on, lights off.

 

[VacavilleFC]

This may just be because I'm not 100% tech savvy, but I just finally figured out that my Apex won't connect to my wifi because it won't so 5G. *shrug*

I have had connectivity issues thow with Apex for 15 years. I would love a controller where I didn't have to learn to "code" them and could just out in 79 degrees, PH of X, Lights on, lights off.

alot of these controllers dont like mixed mesh wifi which is pretty common these days, you have to go into your router and set it so 5ghz and 2.4 are separate