Cali Kid Corals

Where to start with Hydros

MarcosD

MarcosD

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I’ve really been looking into controllers for my main tank but I’m so confused where to start. I was originally thinking of going with Neptune Apex but recently have started looking at Hydros but they have so many controllers unlike Neptune Systems so I don’t even know where to start.

If I go with Hydros, I’ll get the Maven eventually if it ever decides to come out. I want to measure pH, Temperature, maybe salinity. Will eventually get a doser. I’d need something to plug my heaters, lights, skimmer, etc onto. Also considering an Avast Plank feeder. Not sure if any of that matters
 
Hydros Launch is the best starting point right now price wise at $550. I got mine from @robert4025 since they rarely go on sale outside of black Friday, and even then it's just 10%.

That will let you test pH, temp, control an ATO pump via the drive port, use whatever sense port things (I use level sensors for my return and ATO and a leak sensor), plus have 4 controlled outlets. Also 0-10v control for any lights or other devices. The only thing it doesn't do that the XP8/X4 combo does is power monitoring of the outlets. It has a salinity port, but you'll need the Hydros IV and a controllable pump setup.

I control my plank, one heater, my skimmer, and my return off of the 4 outlets for my main tank. I'll likely combine with my 29g units later.
 
Darkxerox said:
Hydros Launch is the best starting point right now price wise at $550. I got mine from @robert4025 since they rarely go on sale outside of black Friday, and even then it's just 10%.

That will let you test pH, temp, control an ATO pump via the drive port, use whatever sense port things (I use level sensors for my return and ATO and a leak sensor), plus have 4 controlled outlets. Also 0-10v control for any lights or other devices. The only thing it doesn't do that the XP8/X4 combo does is power monitoring of the outlets. It has a salinity port, but you'll need the Hydros IV and a controllable pump setup.

I control my plank, one heater, my skimmer, and my return off of the 4 outlets for my main tank. I'll likely combine with my 29g units later.
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Wait so there’s no salinity probe like Apex? I would need one of those Hydros IV?
 
There is one port for that, but the probe needs to be in the isolated vessel with pumped in liquid (one of the reasons why the Apex one is so inaccurate). This protects it from stray voltage or other interference.
 
Darkxerox said:
There is one port for that, but the probe needs to be in the isolated vessel with pumped in liquid (one of the reasons why the Apex one is so inaccurate). This protects it from stray voltage or other interference.
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Interesting. I didn’t realize this. So basically I’d have to dump that liquid in the iV every time I want to measure salinity?

I’ve been looking at this controller. It seems like it’d do what I want?
 

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I agree the Launch is a good starting point if you don't know exactly what you want to monitor and control, it's got a little bit of everything. I'm running it on my frag tank and I like it so far.
 
MarcosD said:
Interesting. I didn’t realize this. So basically I’d have to dump that liquid in the iV every time I want to measure salinity?

I’ve been looking at this controller. It seems like it’d do what I want?
Click to expand...
No you'd use peristaltic pumps to pump in, then drain. The Hydros X10 has them built in, but you can use stand alone ones here to do so off the drive ports.

The X4/XP8 combo gives you more outlets to control, but otherwise is more expensive if you don't need them all and want a smaller form factor. It also can't do salinity.
 
@Darkxerox is correct the Launch only has 4 controllable outlets compared to the that Control X4/XP8 combo, which would give you 8 controllable power outlets.

Figure out what you need to be powered but also controlled.

For example, my Reefi lights has it's own control/interface, plugging it into the Launch outlet doesn't provide me any additional control/benefit so I just have it plugged into a regular power strip, and it saves me an outlet. If your skimmer pump is 12V, you can save an outlet and use one of orange drive ports to power and control your skimmer pump.
 
dangalang said:
@Darkxerox is correct the Launch only has 4 controllable outlets compared to the that Control X4/XP8 combo, which would give you 8 controllable power outlets.

Figure out what you need to be powered but also controlled.

For example, my Reefi lights has it's own control/interface, plugging it into the Launch outlet doesn't provide me any additional control/benefit so I just have it plugged into a regular power strip, and it saves me an outlet. If your skimmer pump is 12V, you can save an outlet and use one of orange drive ports to power and control your skimmer pump.
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Only if it's a small skimmer pump though. These are what they sell but I bet you could rig something yourself too: https://www.coralvue.com/brands/hydros/hydros-control-accessories/hydros-drive-port-accessories
 
I think this should be all that I would need to connect to that tank:

-Nicrew HyperReef 200W Gen 2
-Nicrew HyperReef 200W Gen 2
-Red Sea RSK 300 Skimmer
-IM Helio 400 Watt PTC Smart Aquarium Heater - [2 x 200W]
-Jebao DCP 10000 Return Pump
-Red Sea ATO? Maybe Hydros?
-Ecotech MP10
-EcoTech MP10
-Avast Plank Auto Feeder

Looks like 9 outlets total. 8 if I go with a Hydros ATO and it can plug into one of the ports
 
You don't have to connect all of these, just what you need to actively control. If your lights have a controller just leave them on a dumb power strip, same goes for the Vortechs.

I'd say priority:
Plank
Skimmer (to shut off if leak sensor trips or in water change/feed mode)
Return (if level sensor trips or water change/feed mode)
One heater (leave this one to go on the "least" aka set a wide range so it can cover if the other one fails off or is insufficient)

ATO you can run off the drive ports. That basically sets you up well to run on a Launch only and save $. You can always add on any Hydros device to the collective later to expand.
 
Darkxerox said:
You don't have to connect all of these, just what you need to actively control. If your lights have a controller just leave them on a dumb power strip, same goes for the Vortechs.

I'd say priority:
Plank
Skimmer (to shut off if leak sensor trips or in water change/feed mode)
Return (if level sensor trips or water change/feed mode)
One heater (leave this one to go on the "least" aka set a wide range so it can cover if the other one fails off or is insufficient)

ATO you can run off the drive ports. That basically sets you up well to run on a Launch only and save $. You can always add on any Hydros device to the collective later to expand.
Click to expand...
The Helios heaters have to go plugged into the Helios controller so both heaters are powered by one outlet. I don’t think I’d be able to set one lower than the other. I’m going with these because they have good reviews but also because the heating elements will fit perfects in my sump. I used to use the Eheim jager 200W but those are super long and take up too much space because I can’t keep them horizontal/vertically on the sump wall
 

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MarcosD said:
The Helios heaters have to go plugged into the Helios controller so both heaters are powered by one outlet. I don’t think I’d be able to set one lower than the other. I’m going with these because they have good reviews but also because the heating elements will fit perfects in my sump. I used to use the Eheim jager 200W but those are super long and take up too much space because I can’t keep them horizontal/vertically on the sump wall
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Ok IM says that pulls 400W 120V / 3.33amps so well within one outlet's limits of 8 amps per relay. You can have it plugged into one outlet as a third level of safety if the Helio controller fails on.
 
Darkxerox said:
You don't have to connect all of these, just what you need to actively control. If your lights have a controller just leave them on a dumb power strip, same goes for the Vortechs.

I'd say priority:
Plank
Skimmer (to shut off if leak sensor trips or in water change/feed mode)
Return (if level sensor trips or water change/feed mode)
One heater (leave this one to go on the "least" aka set a wide range so it can cover if the other one fails off or is insufficient)

ATO you can run off the drive ports. That basically sets you up well to run on a Launch only and save $. You can always add on any Hydros device to the collective later to expand.
Click to expand...

The plank has two cords right? So I presume you are plugging the drum/auger into the smart outlet and leave the pump running on a regular outlet?
 
I wouldn’t worry about trying to test salinity with any kind of controller probe, it’s not going to be accurate enough to trust consistently. People struggle to measure salinity even with manual methods.

You don’t have to get a launch - an XP8 / Control4 is an awesome combo too - more outlets for another $150 or so for the combo ($700).

If you go Hydros definitely get the ATO - it has ports for it like Thomas said and won’t consume an outlet. It’s also very good and pretty cheap.
 
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derek_SR said:
I wouldn’t worry about trying to test salinity with any kind of controller probe, it’s not going to be accurate enough to trust consistently. People struggle to measure salinity even with manual methods.

You don’t have to get a launch - an XP8 / Control4 is an awesome combo too - more outlets for another $150 or so for the combo ($700).

If you go Hydros definitely get the ATO - it has ports for it like Thomas said and won’t consume an outlet. It’s also very good and pretty cheap.
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I’ve been watching a ton of videos and I think I’m going with the X4/XP8 combo over the launch. The salinity seems like too much work and that’s all I’ll be missing from the launch right? Aside from 2 less Drive ports
 
I should have an extra Hydros DC Micro Pump you can have, just need to find it. I switched it out for a diaphragm pump because I needed a slower flow rate. Then you would just need to get a level sensor (I like the triple level) and you have your ATO setup.
 
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