Hydros Control Board Help

[Black Dog Reefing]

I just picked up some hydros gear. I’m currently designing my control board and have some questions before I finalize the layout.

Here’s what I am planning:

How does it look? Obviously I plan to add the maven when it comes out so I’m trying to plan for that. I will have a terminator at the Wave Engine and at the Maven. Will the way I have these command bus cables (all are data and power) work? Using the XP8 to power the minnow and maven through the command bus. Using the wave engine to power the X4 through a command bus and a command bus from the minnow to the X4 to connect everything together.

Also posted this on the Hydros Community Forum but am awaiting approval so thought I’d pick Reef2Reef’s brain, thanks in advance for any help!

 

[MnFish1]

I just picked up some hydros gear. I’m currently designing my control board and have some questions before I finalize the layout.

Here’s what I am planning:

How does it look? Obviously I plan to add the maven when it comes out so I’m trying to plan for that. I will have a terminator at the Wave Engine and at the Maven. Will the way I have these command bus cables (all are data and power) work? Using the XP8 to power the minnow and maven through the command bus. Using the wave engine to power the X4 through a command bus and a command bus from the minnow to the X4 to connect everything together.

Also posted this on the Hydros Community Forum but am awaiting approval so thought I’d pick Reef2Reef’s brain, thanks in advance for any help!

It is your tank - thus - your plan. You need to make all of it work within your own house - let's pretend you need to take out the wiring for xxx. There is no right or wrong answer - your plan looks fine - with one comment - make sure you can EASILY access the items in case of failure

 

[Black Dog Reefing]

It is your tank - thus - your plan. You need to make all of it work within your own house - let's pretend you need to take out the wiring for xxx. There is no right or wrong answer - your plan looks fine - with one comment - make sure you can EASILY access the items in case of failure

Yeah definitely that’s the plan, this box will be mounted on a wall that i have access to the back of this making cable management/ future proofing easier. I just wanted to make sure my understanding of the Command bus’ and what they power was correct.

 

[MnFish1]

Yeah definitely that’s the plan, this box will be mounted on a wall that i have access to the back of this making cable management/ future proofing easier. I just wanted to make sure my understanding of the Command bus’ and what they power was correct.

The reason I said it is I really like the posts where person xxx has posted their workroom - with cords hidden - and multiple colors of PVC. I think it's awesome. I just think - if there is a problem some of those things come out

 

[n2585722]

The Maven has it's own power input and you will need to use that to power it. Any of the controllers with separate power inputs will need that power for any outputs or built in pumps to work. Those include the X10, XD, XP8, Launch, Sole, Maven and wave engines.

 

[Black Dog Reefing]

The Maven has it's own power input and you will need to use that to power it. Any of the controllers with separate power inputs will need that power for any outputs or built in pumps to work. Those include the X10, XD, XP8, Launch, Sole, Maven and wave engines.

this would include the Minnow then as well since it came with its own power supply then wouldn’t it?

 

[BeanAnimal]

What an (IMHO) absolute silly form factor this gear is for what otherwise appears to be a good ecosystem. I don’t understand why so many companies don’t consider the form factor in their design and desire to be different.

 

[n2585722]

this would include the Minnow then as well since it came with its own power supply then wouldn’t it?

No, the Minnow does not have a separate power input. If it came with a power supply that connects directly to a command bus port do not use it with a XP8 or one of the other controllers that have separate power inputs. Those supplies have no isolation and can cause an issue if used with other sources of power on the command bus. The controllers that have a specific power port or an AC cord have isolation built into the controller between the power input and the command bus power. I have a couple of those supplies and use them to setup a controller before I add it to my collective. The only one on your board right now that needs it's supply is the WELE. If it does not have the supply the brain will be powered from the command bus but there will be no power for the direct drive ports where you plug in your pumps.

 

[Black Dog Reefing]

No, the Minnow does not have a separate power input. If it came with a power supply that connects directly to a command bus port do not use it with a XP8 or one of the other controllers that have separate power inputs. Those supplies have no isolation and can cause an issue if used with other sources of power on the command bus. The controllers that have a specific power port or an AC cord have isolation built into the controller between the power input and the command bus power. I have a couple of those supplies and use them to setup a controller before I add it to my collective.

Oh okay my apologies I miss read that first one. As long as I don’t use the power supply I’ll be okay to run a power/data bus from the xp8 to the minnow and that will power it correct? This is what I would prefer to do as it will leave me an open port to put a terminator in. The alternative would be to use the command port power supply that came with, then connect to the xp8 via data only (which again, I’d prefer not to do unless it’s the only way). Sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure not to fry the system before I even get to use it lol

 

[n2585722]

Oh okay my apologies I miss read that first one. As long as I don’t use the power supply I’ll be okay to run a power/data bus from the xp8 to the minnow and that will power it correct? This is what I would prefer to do as it will leave me an open port to put a terminator in. The alternative would be to use the command port power supply that came with, then connect to the xp8 via data only (which again, I’d prefer not to do unless it’s the only way). Sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure not to fry the system before I even get to use it lol

The XP8 and the WELE will be power givers to the command bus so no need for data only cables as long as the power supply that connects to the command bus is not in use. Also the order that you connect the command bus will not mater with a small collective especially with 2 power givers. On larger collectives it is best to have the power givers spread out between the controllers that are not such as the X4 and Minnow. I have had an XP8, X4, XS and 2 X2's together with on the XP8 powering itself and the other 4 without any issues. If you are going to need a command bus cable over 14ft then you will need a data only cable for that. My tank and my mixing station is over 35ft from each other so that cable is a data only cable. It is my only data only cable and I have 15 controllers in my collective.

 

[Black Dog Reefing]

The XP8 and the WELE will be power givers to the command bus so no need for data only cables as long as the power supply that connects to the command bus is not in use. Also the order that you connect the command bus will not mater with a small collective especially with 2 power givers. On larger collectives it is best to have the power givers spread out between the controllers that are not such as the X4 and Minnow. I have had an XP8, X4, XS and 2 X2's together with on the XP8 powering itself and the other 4 without any issues. If you are going to need a command bus cable over 14ft then you will need a data only cable for that. My tank and my mixing station is over 35ft from each other so that cable is a data only cable. It is my only data only cable and I have 15 controllers in my collective.

Wonderful to hear, thanks so much! I plan to fire everything up tonight for the first time! Everything will be within a few feet from the tank so that’s why I didn’t order any data only cables and then when I got it all laid out I started second guessing myself haha

 

[Jmp998]

The Maven has it's own power input and you will need to use that to power it. Any of the controllers with separate power inputs will need that power for any outputs or built in pumps to work. Those include the X10, XD, XP8, Launch, Sole, Maven and wave engines.

So my plan is to abuse this for my low power mode (e.g. when electricity is out). I have my essential pumps connected to my wave engine (return and circulation). All of the non-essential items are connected to my Hydros XP8, X4, etc. I will connect my wave engine to a backup power station, XP8 etc directly to main power. Then when the main power goes out, the collective continues to function (all Hydros units powered via command bus), but only the equipment connected to the wave engine continues to run. I have tested this and it seems to work as expected.

Since you are the Hydros guru, any reason this is a bad idea?

 

[n2585722]

So my plan is to abuse this for my low power mode (e.g. when electricity is out). I have my essential pumps connected to my wave engine (return and circulation). All of the non-essential items are connected to my Hydros XP8, X4, etc. I will connect my wave engine to a backup power station, XP8 etc directly to main power. Then when the main power goes out, the collective continues to function (all Hydros units powered via command bus), but only the equipment connected to the wave engine continues to run. I have tested this and it seems to work as expected.

Since you are the Hydros guru, any reason this is a bad idea?

If you apply power using the WE power supply it would still be 24v and the system would not go into low power mode. If you use the adapter cable kit and a IceCap v3 backup battery then you would be running on 12v of power on the command bus and that would put the controllers into low power mode. Then you can choose which outputs you want to remain active in that mode.

 

[jose hernandez]

sorry to jump on this thread but im considering the hydros as a replacement to my apex as i was told by neptune they recommend i upgrade from 2016 pro to the a3 pro in order to use the trident np was planning on getting the maven so figure i go all in with hydros as far as controller and tester which would you recommend launch or x4 pro pack

 

[n2585722]

sorry to jump on this thread but im considering the hydros as a replacement to my apex as i was told by neptune they recommend i upgrade from 2016 pro to the a3 pro in order to use the trident np was planning on getting the maven so figure i go all in with hydros as far as controller and tester which would you recommend launch or x4 pro pack

It depends on your current needs. If you defiantly want salinity readings you will need either the launch or the X10 for that. The launch only has 4 AC outlets but it has 4 drive ports. It also has a single pH port and 4 0-10v inputs. The AC outlets on the Launch does not have power monitoring. The X4 and XP8 combination that comes is the X4 Pro Pack comes with the X4 and the XP8 controllers with a command bus cable and two terminators so you have what you need to create a collective using the two controllers. The XP8 controller has 8 AC outlet for ports and they have power monitoring. The X4 has 2 drive ports, 4 0-10v inputs as well as 4 0-10v outputs. Both the X4 and Launch have 4 sense ports. Both come with a pH probe and a temp sensor. If you get the Launch you can always get command bus cables and terminators and the controllers you want to add and create a collective with it and the new controller as you need more ports. So either one is expandable when you need to do that.

 

[jdpierce21]

I created this to help me decide what Hydros equipment to get.

 

[Jmp998]

I created this to help me decide what Hydros equipment to get.

That is actually really useful. I am happy with my current Hydros setup, but there are more options now than when I bought in and this would have been really helpful.

@Connor At CoralVue your team should consider putting current version like this on your website. I know there are some older versions but they are missing many of the newer controllers I think.

 

[BeanAnimal]

That is actually really useful. I am happy with my current Hydros setup, but there are more options now than when I bought in and this would have been really helpful.

@Connor At CoralVue your team should consider putting current version like this on your website. I know there are some older versions but they are missing many of the newer controllers I think.

LoL - they are too busy dreaming up eclectic names for new products. The website (like the names of the devices and ports) is useless for conveying actual information about the products. Maybe instead of having perspective customers build their own product matrices, CV could hire a real marketing professional to clean up the mess? Sorry to be so blunt, but the whole thing is laughable.

 

[n2585722]

LoL - they are too busy dreaming up eclectic names for new products. The website (like the names of the devices and ports) is useless for conveying actual information about the products. Maybe instead of having perspective customers build their own product matrices, CV could hire a real marketing professional to clean up the mess? Sorry to be so blunt, but the whole thing is laughable.

I have no issues with the names of the inputs and outputs. There are 4 input port types.
1 Probe port.
2 Salinity port.
3 0-10v input ports.
4 Sense ports.

The probe ports are for pH and ORP probe connections. The salinity port is a port for a salinity probe. The 0-10v input ports are for various 0-10v input controls such as button boxes. The sense ports are for all other inputs such as water level sensors, flow sensors, leak detectors, temp sensors and more.

There are 4 output port types.
1 AC outlet.
2 Drive port.
3 Direct drive port.
4 Force port.

The AC outlets power all 120v AC devices within the power limits of the AC outlets. The drive ports are just 12v outputs that can be controlled. These are for solenoids small pumps and some types of lighting. The Direct Drive ports which are only on the wave engines is to drive a specific type of motor used on quite a few pumps. They are BLDC type motors. There are several that are compatible but they do have to be 24v and supported in the wave engine firmware. The force port is a controlled 24v output and is only on the Kraken. These do match the power input ports on the controllers that have a 24v power input. So you can power those controller off a force port which would get rid of that power pack. As an example I got rid of quite a few power supplies using my Kraken. I have a photo of the ones removed at the tank. The Kraken also has battery back capability. Below is a photo of the supplies and power strip I remove when adding the kraken.

As far as the name they were Control and a number line Control 2, Control 3, Control 4 but they did shorten it to X so a Control 2 and X2 are the exact same thing. They did start giving them names starting with Kraken. So most of the newer controllers have a name instead of X and a number or letter. Not sure naming matters that much except to make sure everyone knows which one you are taking about.

So I have no issues with the ports or the naming of the controllers but I have been using Hydros since November 2020. There is a learning curve to any controller you get since they are all designed and built by different people and we all think differently to some extent. What is easy for one person to understand may be hard for another. So I guess it would depend on which one you are more comfortable using. I have only had experience with Digital Aquatics and Hydros as far as controllers. I like the Hydros better but it was a fairly easy transition from the Digital Aquatics to the Hydros.

 

[Jmp998]

FWIW I used Apex for many years but switched to Hydros for my new tank this year. Overall it is easier to use/program Hydros once you decide on the appropriate parts, but it seems like currently with Hydros there are more controller options which can seem a little confusing at first. Both systems get the job done. However my Apex classic, EB8, etc are sitting in a box and my Hydros is running my tank, so I think my preference is pretty clear.