Hydros is a piece of junk.

[Octocat]

Unfortunately, my experience with the Hydros controller has been a terrible one. I won't go into the details of my previous troubles and instead focus on the latest update fiasco (there have been others). The most recent update has nearly crashed my tank multiple times! I should mention, I have a been using the system for over a year now and have a collective with a X2, X4, WaveEngine, and XP8.

Like I eluded to earlier, I've had many troubles in this time but none have resulted in a possible tank crash-- until now. It started a couple days ago when the app automatically updated locking me out of the Hydros. I downloaded and installed the device updates like requested but the XP8 didn't update, and the system remained locked out. During this time, the Hydros decided to turn several outputs from 'auto' to 'on' (opposite of what @Carlos suggested would happen in the release notes). This resulted in both my auto-feeder and kalk doser running for at least 45 minutes while I was attempting to get the XP8 updated.

Yesterday, I noticed the ATO was not working anymore, either. I topped up the sump and went to bed. Today, I wake up to find the sump nearly overflowing and the ato pump stuck on despite the level sensor reading 'wet'. I also noticed my pH dropped considerably overnight indicating the kalk doser wasn't working, either (runs at night)-- despite the logs showing it was. I've actually seen this behavior from my kalk doser after a previous update and had to recreate the schedule. So, in addition to the alk/ph instability (ph over 9/ alk over 11) and salinity drop, my tank will likely see a nutrient spike as all the extra food breaks down. I'm now left waiting and hoping this doesn't result in a total crash.

I never thought I'd be that guy ranting about a piece of equipment on the internet, but here we are. Thanks CoralVue! I was already planning to move on from Hydros after my XP8 arrived with a dead relay, and I received bad customer service from CoralVue (I've had numerous hardware related issues, too). At some point, I plan to post a detailed review of the Hydros, why I chose it in the first place, and why I would never recommend it to anyone on r2r.

 

[thom_smith]

Everybody is understanding of the fact that a recent firmware release negatively impacted some users. That said, the event in an anomoly and not the norm. I've been a longtime user and would say my experience has been unlike you've stated. Not trying to be argumentative, but may I ask what your intention was going out of your way to register here and making your first Hydros forum post a Hydros sucks post after using the product for over a year? Now that it's done, do you feel any better having vented? And that aside, would you have any interest working with Hydros support or any of the Hydros power users on this forum to determine what's going on and why your experience isn't representative of nearly all others here?

 

[Danny]

Sorry you are having these issues. Out of the three controllers I have had the Hydros has been the best experience for me. I have had no hardware failures with any of the nine controllers I have. If you post a screenshot of your ATO output settings I can take a look and see if I see something. I don't use kalk so I am not sure how useful I would be with that output but I would be glad to look at it.

 

[Octocat]

Everybody is understanding of the fact that a recent firmware release negatively impacted some users. That said, the event in an anomoly and not the norm. I've been a longtime user and would say my experience has been unlike you've stated. Not trying to be argumentative, but may I ask what your intention was going out of your way to register here and making your first Hydros forum post a Hydros sucks post after using the product for over a year? Now that it's done, do you feel any better having vented? And that aside, would you have any interest working with Hydros support or any of the Hydros power users on this forum to determine what's going on and why your experience isn't representative of nearly all others here?

First post here? You do realize I've been a member here longer than you? LOL. The purpose of this post is to inform other potential Hydros buyers of my experience, so they can make an informed decision. Also, to let other Hydros owner know that ime, you need to be very careful updating this system. Here's another post I made when a Hydros update forced me to re-setup the entire system: Trouble problems with control 4 & wave engine.

I really don't have interest in figuring out what is wrong with the system. That's not the point of this post-- I can easily recreate the output. Based off what I've read in my time of ownership, plenty of others have had issues with their Hydros. If you don't beleive me, visit the 'other' forum. I haven't even made my harshest criticisms of CoralVue known in this post or anywhere on the internet. I've just reported my actual experience.

 

[Octocat]

In the interest of accuracy, I should point out the kalk dosing schedule turned out to be working as intended. I found out soon after my initial post that my kalk reactor was simply overflowing onto the floor since the water level in the sump was so high that the gravity drain couldn't work properly.

 

[thom_smith]

First post here? You do realize I've been a member here longer than you? LOL. The purpose of this post is to inform other potential Hydros buyers of my experience, so they can make an informed decision. Also, to let other Hydros owner know that ime, you need to be very careful updating this system. Here's another post I made when a Hydros update forced me to re-setup the entire system: Trouble problems with control 4 & wave engine.

I really don't have interest in figuring out what is wrong with the system. That's not the point of this post-- I can easily recreate the output. Based off what I've read in my time of ownership, plenty of others have had issues with their Hydros. If you don't beleive me, visit the 'other' forum. I haven't even made my harshest criticisms of CoralVue known in this post or anywhere on the internet. I've just reported my actual experience.

OK. I saw the New Member associated with your profile and was mistaken. I'm mature enough to admit it. I apologize.

Your experience and feedback is welcomed. You have provided a datapoint for other potential Hydros buyers to consider. Are there others? Yeah. You'll find in every market with every product that people are quick to provide negative opinions when they're dissatisfied but more often than not silent when they're satisfied. I'm saying there are far more in the silent majority that have vastly different experiences. Often we assist those with your point of view find issues that are relatively easily resolved by putting a different set of eyes on it once they calm down enough to do so. You've got two offers in this thread alone to do just that. You're also welcome to acquire another brand controller and toss your Hydros in the trash too if you wish. It doesn't impact me in the least so I don't care. Do whatever... @Danny and my offer stands. BTW, neither @Danny nor I are CoralVue employees so we don't have anything to gain here.

 

[Octocat]

Hehe. Maybe I didn't make it clear-- there is no issue to be solved here unless you plan explain the concept of a QA team to CoralVue. Despite your claim, you seem a bit upset that I have expressed a negative opinion about a product you care about. The title of this thread was a bit antagonist (for that, I'm sorry), but it was mostly meant as an attention grabber. I think it's great that you and others are here helping us out. CoralVue is really lucky to have users like you!

 

[thom_smith]

Hehe. Maybe I didn't make it clear-- there is no issue to be solved here unless you plan explain the concept of a QA team to CoralVue. Despite your claim, you seem a bit upset that I have expressed a negative opinion about a product you care about. The title of this thread was a bit antagonist (for that, I'm sorry), but it was mostly meant as an attention grabber. I think it's great that you and others are here helping us out. CoralVue is really lucky to have users like you!

Not at all upset. Your experience and what you choose to do going forward doesn't impact me whatsoever. I just have a differing point of view. Sorry you've had a negative experience. And it you change your mind, you know where to find us.