Help understanding where to start

[kasala78]

I'm looking to go down the rabbit hole of automation. I've looked at Apex and GHL and what not and I've decided that I would like to build out the automation of my tank around the HYDROS system.

At present the only device I likely have that is "compatible" is a single Gyre 4K.

I have my heaters tied to an Inkbird WiFi controller but intend to run them off the power strip with the Hydros system.

My pump is a 24v Jabeo with a dedicated control pod and I understand I'll need to likely replace that which I'd like to do anyway.

Lighting is Radions and I'm gathering I won't be able to integrate those into Hydros.

Skimmer is an ESHOPPS.

I have 3 reactors with two separate pumps and intend to install a manifold in the near future to eliminate those pumps.

I'm looking for some guidance as to what pieces I should start with.

I'd like to monitor temp and salinity if possible as well as other critical readings from the tank if possible.

I may have asked some really basic stuff and sorry if I have. I'm learning.

 

[Danny]

Most lighting comes with it own control system now. To start you may want to get a Control 4 starter kit. It comes with a temp sensor, pH probe and one wifi power strip. If you think you are going to need more than 4 outlets then you can alway get another wifi power strip also. The control 4 has 4 sense ports. The temp probe will use one of them. It also has 2 probe ports. The pH prove will use one. It has 2 drive ports. Hydros has a ATO kit and the pump in that kit will use one of the drive ports. It has 4 0-10v imputs. There are a couple of people here that make switch boxes and break out boxes that can use these input ports. It also has 4 0-10v output ports that can be used for pumps or lighting that is compatible with 0-10v control. You can alway add other control devices and start a collective once you get going. You can use you InkBird to control your heaters and use a wifi outlet on the wifi strip to power it and set it up as a heater type output. Just set both the low setting and the high setting above what is set on the InkBird. This will be a backup in case the temp gets too high. I think the gyre will require you to add one of the wave engines. Before starting a collective you might want to check back. It depends on what you are going to do as to what will be required. So it is alway a good idea to check and make sure you get everthing you will need to make it work. At this time there is not a solution to measure salinity with the Hydros. It should not vary that much anyway. I usually check mine once a week with a refractometer. I had a salinity probe on my other controller and every time I got an out of bounds reading it ended up being some issue with the probe readings and not the tank. The Hydros can get reading from the Alkatronic and will be able to from the Mastertronic with the next firmware update. Hope this helps to start. I started with a Control 4. I am now up to 8 Control units in a collective, but I have quite a bit of thing automated.

 

[kasala78]

Thanks for that information! It's super helpful!

I do have the reeflink for the radion lights and use that to manage lighting. I'd just love to tie together the control systems and manage the setup from a single interface instead of from different apps.

You confirmed for me most of what I suspected but it was pretty hard to get clear answers direct from the Hydros website.

 

[Danny]

I have Ecotech MP10's and use reeflink with them. I have not got around to getting a wave engine. Besides they are my backup for my system since I have the backup battery for them. I also still control my lighting separately from the Hydros with the exception of the power supplies that power them. Same with the MP10's the power supplies are powered by the hydros but even if the Hydors cuts the power they will continue to run in battery backup mode.

 

[kasala78]

I am looking to add the battery backup for the Gyre pumps as well as my return pump when I replace it. Would that not work with the Hydros system?

 

[Danny]

The wave engine works with the IceCap V3 battery backup with the cable set for that. You can setup a low power mode and have it automatically initiate it when on battery backup.

 

[kasala78]

OK, perfect! Now to get the levels in my tank under control so I can start adding some more inhabitants!