Hydros 'ecosystem'?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jafoca
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users None

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

J

jafoca

New member
Joined
Mar 9, 2021
Messages
14
Reaction score
6
Location
MI, USA
What brands are officially part of the Hydros Ecosystem? Asking because it seems like there is a lot of speculation about new features for compatibility etc. going forward, but i am really not sure if there is hard data out there. Thus far it seems like Icecap has generally 'the best' support / integration, but IDK about other manufacturers.

In theory the Hydros should be able to integrate more easily with a lot of different equipment using Wifi and Bluetooth, so for example my Nero pump _could_ talk to the Hydros directly if there were enough effort put into building an integration, but that is a HUGE if and probably well beyond what we can hope for in the short term.

Beyond that, I am just thinking that I might want to purchase gear that aligns with future support even if it is not on board currently.

That is one thing the Coralvue website and Hydros website have not done a good job with - explaining the partnerships present and future. Because Coralvue sells Echotech, Reef Octopus, Maxspect, and more - but which are 'first tier'?
 
The answer depends on the product.

The WaveEngine had 4 drive ports, and these are compatible with the Maxspect Gyre, IceCap Gyre, Reef Octopus Octo Pulse, and the Reef Octopus VarioS-2 and VarioS-4 WATER Pump (not skimmer pumps).
The WaveEngine can also control any pump which has a 0-10V INPUT, such as the Tunze pumps.
The WaveEngine can also control EcoTech Vortech pumps ONLY.

As far as the HYDROS Control, it is a more general-purpose controller, so you can plug any product power to a regular WiFi OUTLET and turn the device ON/OFF. You can also use 0-10V to control any pump or any light that also has 0-10V INPUT.

The HYDROS Control is also fully compatible with the Focustronic Alkatronic for testing Alkalinity. It will also be fully compatible with the Focustronic Mastertronic, which will allow you to test for Magnesium, Calcium, Nitrate, and Phosphates.

As the HYDROS line is a controller line, it does have limitations. These limitations are often set by the manufacturer of the product you are trying to control. An example is the EcoTech Vectra Pump. At this time, EcoTech has decided to close its line of products so no other controller can manage the product. Another example is the Nero Pumps. Just like EcoTech, AI has also decided that they are the only ones that can control the pump, so no other controller on the market can control Nero pumps.

Unfortunately, it is a recent trend that more and more manufacturers are adopting, which does not benefit the consumer. Still, here at HYDROS, we do what we can within the limitations and making sure that we never jeopardize the warranty of the product you are connecting to our system.

The HYDROS control is only 4 months old, so we are always working with manufacturers to bring their products into our environment. The process is steady but, it is definitely not as fast as we would like it to be. Still, we keep at it, hoping to grow and continue to make the HYDROS product line a viable option to all hobbyists.
 
Carlos said:
The answer depends on the product.

The WaveEngine had 4 drive ports, and these are compatible with the Maxspect Gyre, IceCap Gyre, Reef Octopus Octo Pulse, and the Reef Octopus VarioS-2 and VarioS-4 WATER Pump (not skimmer pumps).
The WaveEngine can also control any pump which has a 0-10V INPUT, such as the Tunze pumps.
The WaveEngine can also control EcoTech Vortech pumps ONLY.

As far as the HYDROS Control, it is a more general-purpose controller, so you can plug any product power to a regular WiFi OUTLET and turn the device ON/OFF. You can also use 0-10V to control any pump or any light that also has 0-10V INPUT.

The HYDROS Control is also fully compatible with the Focustronic Alkatronic for testing Alkalinity. It will also be fully compatible with the Focustronic Mastertronic, which will allow you to test for Magnesium, Calcium, Nitrate, and Phosphates.

As the HYDROS line is a controller line, it does have limitations. These limitations are often set by the manufacturer of the product you are trying to control. An example is the EcoTech Vectra Pump. At this time, EcoTech has decided to close its line of products so no other controller can manage the product. Another example is the Nero Pumps. Just like EcoTech, AI has also decided that they are the only ones that can control the pump, so no other controller on the market can control Nero pumps.

Unfortunately, it is a recent trend that more and more manufacturers are adopting, which does not benefit the consumer. Still, here at HYDROS, we do what we can within the limitations and making sure that we never jeopardize the warranty of the product you are connecting to our system.

The HYDROS control is only 4 months old, so we are always working with manufacturers to bring their products into our environment. The process is steady but, it is definitely not as fast as we would like it to be. Still, we keep at it, hoping to grow and continue to make the HYDROS product line a viable option to all hobbyists.
Click to expand...
Hey Carlos-
Thanks for the reply. I think part of what I am trying to get at is understanding what brands do/do not play nice now with Hydros both now and in the future. The way you outlined it is really case by case in some situations, and current status only - like these Ecotech do work, while those do not.

Looking at both Neptune and GHL, it seems like both are trying to build their own lines around their controllers - see recent announcements of Neptune fuge lights etc. Is Hydros going to try to do the same where interoperability is only guaranteed with Hydros equipment?

Otherwise - are there brand partners (like IceCap or Maxspect?) that are going to continue to have strong Hydros integration? or could they decide they don't want to play nice at some point soon as well?

I am wondering because I want to direct my purchasing towards systems that will be compatible, but there isn't a good outline other than the 'this currently works' information, which is a bit thin.
 
jafoca said:
Hey Carlos-
Thanks for the reply. I think part of what I am trying to get at is understanding what brands do/do not play nice now with Hydros both now and in the future. The way you outlined it is really case by case in some situations, and current status only - like these Ecotech do work, while those do not.

Looking at both Neptune and GHL, it seems like both are trying to build their own lines around their controllers - see recent announcements of Neptune fuge lights etc. Is Hydros going to try to do the same where interoperability is only guaranteed with Hydros equipment?

Otherwise - are there brand partners (like IceCap or Maxspect?) that are going to continue to have strong Hydros integration? or could they decide they don't want to play nice at some point soon as well?

I am wondering because I want to direct my purchasing towards systems that will be compatible, but there isn't a good outline other than the 'this currently works' information, which is a bit thin.
Click to expand...
We here at HYDROS are all about interoperability. We at HYDROS have decided that our goal is to make a good controller. Our goal is not to make lights or pumps, or other equipment. Honestly, we do not have the expertise to make that happen, nor should we. CoralVue is the biggest aquarium distribution company in the country, and we have great relationships with many of our manufacturers. We have learned that the best way to offer various products at a reasonable price is not to create the product ourselves but use our partnership with manufacturers to make their products compatible with the HYDROS. A pump company like Reef Octopus is going to create a far better product than we would. Making pumps is what they do. Instead of competing against them with our own pump, it is better to partner with them and offer compatibility. We concentrate on developing a good controller and let the experts on the other products do what they do best!

Should we create our own Fuge light? Probably not. There are plenty of companies out there that create great lights and have 0-10V INPUT, allowing the HYDROS to control the light fixture fully. A great example is the upcoming fish feeder. We could have developed our own feeder and probably would have had to charge you $100 for it. Instead, we partnered with a company that has been making fish feeders for years and made their unit WiFi compatible with the HYDROS controller. Such partnership resulted in a fish feeder that is WiFi compatible with a 10-ft USB power cable! And best of all, a retail price of $34.99!

Our partnership with companies like Maxspect and IceCap is solid, and we have been distributing their products for many years. Also, making your product compatible with controllers is good business and will only increase sales. Our partners know this, and that is why they were eager to jump in and be part of this endeavor.
 
Carlos said:
We here at HYDROS are all about interoperability. We at HYDROS have decided that our goal is to make a good controller. Our goal is not to make lights or pumps, or other equipment. Honestly, we do not have the expertise to make that happen, nor should we. CoralVue is the biggest aquarium distribution company in the country, and we have great relationships with many of our manufacturers. We have learned that the best way to offer various products at a reasonable price is not to create the product ourselves but use our partnership with manufacturers to make their products compatible with the HYDROS. A pump company like Reef Octopus is going to create a far better product than we would. Making pumps is what they do. Instead of competing against them with our own pump, it is better to partner with them and offer compatibility. We concentrate on developing a good controller and let the experts on the other products do what they do best!

Should we create our own Fuge light? Probably not. There are plenty of companies out there that create great lights and have 0-10V INPUT, allowing the HYDROS to control the light fixture fully. A great example is the upcoming fish feeder. We could have developed our own feeder and probably would have had to charge you $100 for it. Instead, we partnered with a company that has been making fish feeders for years and made their unit WiFi compatible with the HYDROS controller. Such partnership resulted in a fish feeder that is WiFi compatible with a 10-ft USB power cable! And best of all, a retail price of $34.99!

Our partnership with companies like Maxspect and IceCap is solid, and we have been distributing their products for many years. Also, making your product compatible with controllers is good business and will only increase sales. Our partners know this, and that is why they were eager to jump in and be part of this endeavor.
Click to expand...
This is the kind of information I am looking for. I would like to think that some manufacturers, at least, will see the value in playing well with others. I view it something like the iPhone (walled garden) vs. Android (open), so knowing who is onboard vs. who is hostile (Ai, Echotech, etc.) is good to know if you are going to invest into the Hydros platform for control.

Anyway - thank you for the response.
 
Carlos said:
As the HYDROS line is a controller line, it does have limitations. These limitations are often set by the manufacturer of the product you are trying to control. An example is the EcoTech Vectra Pump. At this time, EcoTech has decided to close its line of products so no other controller can manage the product. Another example is the Nero Pumps. Just like EcoTech, AI has also decided that they are the only ones that can control the pump, so no other controller on the market can control Nero pumps.

Unfortunately, it is a recent trend that more and more manufacturers are adopting, which does not benefit the consumer. Still, here at HYDROS, we do what we can within the limitations and making sure that we never jeopardize the warranty of the product you are connecting to our system.

The HYDROS control is only 4 months old, so we are always working with manufacturers to bring their products into our environment. The process is steady but, it is definitely not as fast as we would like it to be. Still, we keep at it, hoping to grow and continue to make the HYDROS product line a viable option to all hobbyists.
Click to expand...

I have to say I do hope it changes with the Hydros and we see a change back to some standardization or at least modules to handle some of the more popular equipment. I have to say I think some of it has to do with Neptune creating their own equipment for the Apex. When they did this they because a competitor to the same companies they needed to make their equipment compatible with the Apex. I hope this trend changes because I do not want a different app for everything.
 
I hope that's a sale for you jafoca, Look at the customer service they have already provided for you. (y)
 
HydrosFan said:
I hope that's a sale for you jafoca, Look at the customer service they have already provided for you. (y)
Click to expand...
I already got one :P I have a Control2 currently but want to make sure there is a future in the platform and also that I am aiming to buy equipment that is compatible down the road.
Shred5 said:
I have to say I do hope it changes with the Hydros and we see a change back to some standardization or at least modules to handle some of the more popular equipment. I have to say I think some of it has to do with Neptune creating their own equipment for the Apex. When they did this they because a competitor to the same companies they needed to make their equipment compatible with the Apex. I hope this trend changes because I do not want a different app for everything.
Click to expand...
Yeah exactly, now I have to open Hydros and Ai's app to kill the flow in my tank. Both take time to open and sync status before I can press the 'off' button. It's a drag!
 
Congrats im still trying to figure out which one for me. Carlos's Enthusiasm and positivity makes me want to work for the company:) It's a rare find now a days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top