JeffB418
HYDROS Expert
This tutorial will show you how to connect and use float switches on your hydros devices. This resource is in addition to this page: HYDROS Control - How to add a 0-10V Input
You can use traditional open/closed magnetic float switches (or even door switches) on either of the following Hydros ports:
- Any sense port
- Any 0-10V input port (even on the wave engine and WELE)
Plug and Play options:
Option 1 - Reef Fanatic Replacement Float Switch
You can use the following sensor directly with a Hydros 3.5mm sense port adapter cable and use any Hydros Sense port (see below on how to configure in the app). Here are the 2 items you will need:
premiumaquatics.com
premiumaquatics.com
You can also use this sensor on the 0-10V INPUT port by buying the float sensor above, and then a 0-10V Hydros Quad WE Adapter. You will only need 1 of these Hydros adapters but you will be able to use it for up to 4 float sensors. You will also need female to female 3.5mm adapters from Amazon for each float sensor above. Here are those items:
premiumaquatics.com
premiumaquatics.com
Option 2 - Sea Side Aquatics Mag Float Switch
Here is another float sensor option that is alittle more but has a magnetic mount. Same as above you will need the sensor and the 3.5mm Hydros adapter cable. But you will also need an adapter from amazon to adapt the float switch connector to 3.5 mm.
www.aquacave.com
premiumaquatics.com
Note, the adapter should be glued or held in place by either using tape or shrink tubing for safety.
As above, you can also use this float assembly on the 0-10V Input port by buying the following:
www.aquacave.com
premiumaquatics.com
DIY Options:
Any 2 wire open/closed float switch (or switch) can be used as well. You can buy float sensors like the following:
Then use a 3.5mm wire adapter like the following to adapt it for the Hydros 3.5mm Sense Port cable above:
Or use a female version to adapt the float sensor to be used with the 0-10V input hydros adapter cable above using these:
Now that you have your float switch connected to your hydros, how do you configure it as an input?
Option 1 - Sense Port:
If you have your float connected to the Sense port, just configure it just as you would if it was an optical water sensor. Select Water Level for the sense mode, and then the corresponding Sense Port input that the float sensor is connected to. Easy as that.
Option 2 - 0-10V Input Port:
If your float sensor is connected to a 0-10V input channel on your Control 4, Wave Engine or Wave Engine Light, add a new input to your Hydros and select type 0-10V Input. Then select SWITCH type input mode. This is used for inputs that are open/closed, like the float switch or a door switch. Then select your correct input channel that the switch is connected to. Note on the Hydros 0-10V adapter cable each color corresponds to a channel number. Then for your voltage range you will set it to 4V-10V. This is because when the float sensor is down or OPEN it will read 2.5V on the input port, then it will read 5V when CLOSED or up. Then for data type set it to Water Level, this will show the input as WET or DRY. If you are doing a door sensor, you can use a different type if you wish. Set the Wet When to Inside range, since it reads 5V when the float is closed/up.
Its easy as that. Post your ideas and projects below!
You can use traditional open/closed magnetic float switches (or even door switches) on either of the following Hydros ports:
- Any sense port
- Any 0-10V input port (even on the wave engine and WELE)
Plug and Play options:
Option 1 - Reef Fanatic Replacement Float Switch
You can use the following sensor directly with a Hydros 3.5mm sense port adapter cable and use any Hydros Sense port (see below on how to configure in the app). Here are the 2 items you will need:
Reef Fanatic Level Controller Repl Float Sensor Kit | Premium Aquatics
Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...
premiumaquatics.com
Coralvue HYDROS 3.5mm Sensor Adapter Cable | Premium Aquatics
Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...
premiumaquatics.com
You can also use this sensor on the 0-10V INPUT port by buying the float sensor above, and then a 0-10V Hydros Quad WE Adapter. You will only need 1 of these Hydros adapters but you will be able to use it for up to 4 float sensors. You will also need female to female 3.5mm adapters from Amazon for each float sensor above. Here are those items:
Reef Fanatic Level Controller Repl Float Sensor Kit | Premium Aquatics
Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...
premiumaquatics.com
Hydros 0-10V Quad WaveEngine Pump Adapter | Premium Aquatics
Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...
premiumaquatics.com
Amazon.com: 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 3.5mm Stereo Jack Female to Female Adapter Connector Gold Plated (3 Pack) : Electronics
Buy 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 3.5mm Stereo Jack Female to Female Adapter Connector Gold Plated (3 Pack): RCA Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Option 2 - Sea Side Aquatics Mag Float Switch
Here is another float sensor option that is alittle more but has a magnetic mount. Same as above you will need the sensor and the 3.5mm Hydros adapter cable. But you will also need an adapter from amazon to adapt the float switch connector to 3.5 mm.
Sea Side Aquatics Magnetic Float Switch
Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!
www.aquacave.com
Amazon.com: zdyCGTime 3.5Postive Tip Power Supply Converter DC 5.5 x 2.1mm Female to DC Power 3.5mm Mono Male Adapter (2pack) (DC3.5mm Mono) : Electronics
Buy zdyCGTime 3.5Postive Tip Power Supply Converter DC 5.5 x 2.1mm Female to DC Power 3.5mm Mono Male Adapter (2pack) (DC3.5mm Mono): Chargers & Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING for eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Coralvue HYDROS 3.5mm Sensor Adapter Cable | Premium Aquatics
Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...
premiumaquatics.com
Note, the adapter should be glued or held in place by either using tape or shrink tubing for safety.
As above, you can also use this float assembly on the 0-10V Input port by buying the following:
Sea Side Aquatics Magnetic Float Switch
Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!
www.aquacave.com
Amazon.com: zdyCGTime 3.5Postive Tip Power Supply Converter DC 5.5 x 2.1mm Female to DC Power 3.5mm Mono Male Adapter (2pack) (DC3.5mm Mono) : Electronics
Buy zdyCGTime 3.5Postive Tip Power Supply Converter DC 5.5 x 2.1mm Female to DC Power 3.5mm Mono Male Adapter (2pack) (DC3.5mm Mono): Chargers & Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING for eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Hydros 0-10V Quad WaveEngine Pump Adapter | Premium Aquatics
Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...
premiumaquatics.com
Amazon.com: 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 3.5mm Stereo Jack Female to Female Adapter Connector Gold Plated (3 Pack) : Electronics
Buy 3.5mm Stereo Jack to 3.5mm Stereo Jack Female to Female Adapter Connector Gold Plated (3 Pack): RCA Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
DIY Options:
Any 2 wire open/closed float switch (or switch) can be used as well. You can buy float sensors like the following:
Anndason 6 Pieces Plastic PP Float Switch Fish Tank Liquid Water Level Sensor,Model: DP5200: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Anndason 6 Pieces Plastic PP Float Switch Fish Tank Liquid Water Level Sensor,Model: DP5200: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Then use a 3.5mm wire adapter like the following to adapt it for the Hydros 3.5mm Sense Port cable above:
Or use a female version to adapt the float sensor to be used with the 0-10V input hydros adapter cable above using these:
Now that you have your float switch connected to your hydros, how do you configure it as an input?
Option 1 - Sense Port:
If you have your float connected to the Sense port, just configure it just as you would if it was an optical water sensor. Select Water Level for the sense mode, and then the corresponding Sense Port input that the float sensor is connected to. Easy as that.
Option 2 - 0-10V Input Port:
If your float sensor is connected to a 0-10V input channel on your Control 4, Wave Engine or Wave Engine Light, add a new input to your Hydros and select type 0-10V Input. Then select SWITCH type input mode. This is used for inputs that are open/closed, like the float switch or a door switch. Then select your correct input channel that the switch is connected to. Note on the Hydros 0-10V adapter cable each color corresponds to a channel number. Then for your voltage range you will set it to 4V-10V. This is because when the float sensor is down or OPEN it will read 2.5V on the input port, then it will read 5V when CLOSED or up. Then for data type set it to Water Level, this will show the input as WET or DRY. If you are doing a door sensor, you can use a different type if you wish. Set the Wet When to Inside range, since it reads 5V when the float is closed/up.
Its easy as that. Post your ideas and projects below!
