I have a 400g reef system and I have 3 small freshwater tanks - the biggest is a 20L. I had a topoff on the 20 g freshwater tank that failed. I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I started looking for a replacement top off. The one I had was $160 new, I think, when I bought it. I ended up on Fish tanks direct and was in a hurry. It had a bunch of topoff kits on the page including the one I used to have. Then I saw the Hydros Top off kit for $88 and I thought -- sweet! So I ordered it on March 29. Nope -- did not look it up and did not investigate as it was with all of the other top off kits. It comes, I look at it and go ugh, I need a controller. I wrote to Coralvue and complained that the topoff kit was not really a topoff kit and should be called an add on or something. No one answered me. So I went to the website looking for a controller. Found one and ordered the controller 2 only. Nope, did not investigate. Got the controller and realized there was no power supply. I wrote to Coralvue again and this time Carlos answered. Said I did need a power supply so I ordered a power supply. Power supply comes and nope, I did not order the wifi powerstrip. Carlos did not take the extra step and recommend that I needed both. Anyway, I sat down to play with the topoff and the controller and realized that I had the wrong controller. I wrote to Carlos again and he said I would have to pay as I ordered the wrong controller. Upon further investigation, I had ordered the correct contoller but they put a controller 4 in a controller 2 box so they sent me the wrong one. They apologized and sent me another one. The same thing happened again - I got a controller 4 in a controller 2 box. Yup third time is the charm. Then I thought I had ordered the power strip but nope, so I finally ordered that. It came and I finally am setting it up. It won't work. I am so completely frustrated. The customer service has been less than helpful, the product appears to be terrible as the software is obviously underdeveloped, AND SO MUCH MONEY FOR A 20 G TANK!!! All I can say CoralVue is wow -- this has been one fo the worst experiences ever. I put your software and support in the same category as the absolutely terrible GHL dosers. Now, will you help me now that I have laid out how horribly I have been treated? I hope so as I would like to get this incredibly overpowered topoff working on my little 20g freshwater tank.
My sad story
- Thread starter Sherri
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- Admin
- #2
I am sorry that they ship you the wrong thing again. That is completely unacceptable. Would you mind posting this on the support portal, so I know who you are. Unfortunately, posting here gets our attention, but we don't have a way to know who you are on the support portal. If you give us one last chance, I will make sure they send you the correct equipment. I will make sure they open the box and make sure that the correct controller is included in the box.
Regarding the WiFi strip, I will need more information from you regarding your WiFi network to help you. Does your WiFi router have one SSID for both 2.4 and 5GHz bands? Or does each band have its own individual SSID?
Regarding the WiFi strip, I will need more information from you regarding your WiFi network to help you. Does your WiFi router have one SSID for both 2.4 and 5GHz bands? Or does each band have its own individual SSID?
- Admin
- #3
I found your ticket on the support portal, and we are looking into it. I am escalating this to our General Manager, who oversees all departments, including shipping.
- Admin
- #4
Tonya, our GM, is going to be calling you directly to get this issue solved.
Carlos -- you didn't read or understand the whole story. I did finally get the right controller - it took 3 times but I got it.
I just can't make it work. Sorry -- let me look into the wireless - I think it is just one SSID.
I just can't make it work. Sorry -- let me look into the wireless - I think it is just one SSID.
- Admin
- #6
Did Tonya contact you? I want to make sure they did! Again, sorry for the inconvenience.
John Neuzil
Active member
Um, I don't think you need the wifi power strip for the Hydros ATO.
goggs29
New member
A case of leaping before you look.
First goggs29 -- please look things up before you comment. There is no way to connect the ATO to Wifi without the powerstrip. I tried. You can do the smaller powerstrip but I decided to get the bigger one. I did mispeak -- I did not get the controller 4 I got the control xs twice in the control 2 box - sorry for the confusion. Angie called me and she was able to download and install the new software and helped me get it up and running. So I am all set now. This was a long journey and the control 2 is overkill for a 20g freshwater tank but if something blows out on my big saltwater fish system I will simply transfer this to the basement system. Two months to get a topoff working -- just crazy.
Danny
HYDROS Expert
So you are not using the hydros top off since it uses the drive port for power instead of a wifi strip?
John Neuzil
Active member
Incorrect bud. The Hydros ATO connects to the controller not the power strip.
John Neuzil
Active member
Unless your trying to say you can't connect it to the xs but you can to the 2 and 4
The Controller xs does not work with the ATO. I have controller 2. The ATO connects into the controller, the controller HAS to plug into the WIFI powerstrip in order to connect to wifi. So my answer is that you do need the wifi powerstrip to work the ATO and the controller, not that the ATO plugs into the powerstrip.
John Neuzil
Active member
No. The Hydros ATO only needs a control 2 or 4. You don't need the power strip to use the ATO. The power strip does not "plug" into the controller. It connects through WiFi.
Danny
HYDROS Expert
Sherri there is no physical connection between the power strip and the Control unit. The power supply for the control unit plugs directly into a wall outlet. The control unit will communicate with the wifi strip via wifi once they have been paired. You will have to add the control unit into the app first. This will setup the wifi parameters for the control unit to communicate with wifi devices and the app. Then you pair the wifi power strip. It is a good idea to have the power strip. You can use it to control pumps and lights and other devices. I assume you have everything setup and working now. I did not pair a wifi strip to my control unit for several days when I first got it. I am sure you will find uses for the wifi strip outlets. I have one setup just for the lights on my wife's light houses and globes.
Ugh -- so I didn't need that power strip? No matter what I did, it wouldn't go online. So incredibly frustrating. Even when I talked to Angie, she didn't say that I didn't need the powerstrip. All I wanted was a ATO for my silly 20 g freshwater tank.
John Neuzil
Active member
Need no, but its nice to have. I have the power strip on my 20 gallon freshwater. I use it for the timer for my Stingray LED lights on and off and you could also use it to control your heater which could prevent a disaster if your heater ever fails and gets stuck on. I also power my Eheim Canister off it and have it turn the Eheim off when I do a water change. It is nice to have. I'm also considering the Automatic feeder which can run off the USB outlets on the powerstrip.
Danny
HYDROS Expert
Looks like you will get to go through your first firmware and app update now. Make sure you are on site with the controller when installing the update. You can go ahead and download remotely just don't install until you are there. Also the app update will only work with the new firmware. You can update the app first but it will only allow you to update the firmware on the app. Once the firmware is updated then it will allow access. Let us know if you have any questions. Most of us have done this more than once now.
forum.coralvuehydros.com
Firmware 186 / App 199
Firmware 186 and App 199 are now available for the following devices: Control X4 Control X2 Control XS WaveEngine IceCap WiFi Controller Firmware 186 is now the public release version IMPORTANT: Firmware 186 requires App 199. To update to firmware 186, you must download App 199 first. If...
forum.coralvuehydros.com
I did get the automatic feeder. Downloading 186 now - seems straight forward. Like I said, if any of the controllers on my big system go, I will transfer this over and just get the cheap simple topoff I was originally going for lol! I assume I would have to buy the temp sensor and their heater if I want the temp to go though this controller. Thanks for your help and patience with me lol! Now installing. Whoops, it finished downloading, said install but somehow that was for 180, stopped that but I think I am running 186 but can't find a way to see that.