Thanks for the suggestion! I am deftly considering that and will probably eventually move towards it. The WiFi strips for me tho have been pretty reliable because I created a dedicated network for Hydros to use at my house and it is completely isolated from everything else. But it is deftly an improvement I’m looking to make in the future :)
@@REEFHUB-Offical I also use a dedicated 2.4GHz ssid, still lose strip connection once in a while so I don’t trust them. I use a different Kamoer that sits by my tank to drain down to the basement and a tunze turbelle high jet as a fill pump up from the reservoir in the basement. The Kamoer was too slow with the headpressure. Now doing a daily WC of 5 gallons in under 40 mins total.
@REEFHUB-Offical Thanks for the video! What do you think of the Kamoer pumps vs the GHL Maxi? I am looking into setting up AWC and plan to use Hydros for monitoring but was also considering doing a standalone GHL maxi system for AWC and ATO.
GHL is stable and works just fine. Personally, the Kamosr pumps are cheaper and more powerful than the GHL Maxi. I’d deftly go the Hydros route for AWC. It’s simpler to setup, implemented the same way, and more affordable.
Thank you for posting this video. No one else has taken the time to do a Hydros system overview/ setup and what can be achieved with Hydros. Your video is what I have been looking for. I am currently working on setting up a water change station in my basement. I am currently purchasing the parts as I can afford them. I plan on automating some of the functions on my water change station. Which controller or combination of controllers are needed to start from scratch to automate the water change station in my basement? I currently do not own any controllers or Hydros equipment? I am thinking of purchasing the X2 Starter pack, an XS controller & ATO kit with the triple water level sensor. If you recommend something different I am open to suggestions. I am not exactly sure how many water level sensors I will need. I am thinking a total of 4 level sensors and the one triple water level sensor available in the ATO kit. (one high level sensor & one low level sensor in the freshwater tank = 2 level sensors to control RO/DI.) (one high level sensor & one low level sensor in the sump of the display tank. = 2 water level sensors to control the AWC) and the Triple level sensor to to control the ATO. What I want out of the Hydros on my water change station is the following. 1. Auto refill RO/DI water storage tank 2. Auto water change display tank 3. Auto refill ATO container & maintain display water level 4. Measure water temperature of mixed saltwater
Thanks for viewing and I’m happy it helped you out. That sounds like a great start. The ATO sensor will also act as the high level sensor for AWC. If you are also planning to do a collective then you’ll also need a command bus cable and a terminator as well. Be sure to pay particular attention to the command bus tho. The command bus for anything over 3 meters will be data only so if you plan to have Hydros equipment greater than 3 meters apart you’ll need a data only command bus cable. The data only is sold up to 50ft in length. There is also a DIY method on making those cables to in the Hydros forum. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions! :)
Very curious how much this automated add-on costs. I have the Hydros Pro Pack (X4 and XP8) with a Wave Engine and Octopulse 4's. Have ATO with 3 level water sensor. What do I need to buy for this? Figure its at least a water level sensor and some Kamoer pumps?
That would be correct. It also depends on how you plan to run AWC. I have a mixing station so that could be an additional cost and possibly the cost of an ATO
@@REEFHUB-Offical I have the Hydros ATO and a brute trash can mixing station similar to yours. I am curious about how you did the actual plumbing in the sump to remove the water. You showed how you placed the water sensor, but where is the actual tubing in the sump, return chamber laying on the bottom below the return pump level? How do you have the water removal tubing placed in your salt water can, tubing inserted through the can top and the end is laying on the bottom of the can to get most of the water out? I'm seriously considerting replicating what you did. One last question... Why not use a submersable pump in both the sump and the salt water mixing station tank or in your setup the pump used in the mixing station configuration to move water even faster from the sump to drain and saltwater mix container back to sump?
@@prion2727 I just run RODI lines and hold it in place via a probe holder. One is deep enough in the water of AWC and the fill line is above the water line to pump it back in. As for the plumbing to my Mixing station, i drilled a couple holes and used RODI Bulk heads off amazon to secure it to my mixing station. I also have a Hydros Low Level sensor install in my mixing station that warns me when the reservoir is low. The pump that removes water just puts it down a drian.
Great tutorial. Having a fill pump on an unreliable wifi strip sends shivers down my spine, I would suggest an XP8 to drive the pumps.
Thanks for the suggestion! I am deftly considering that and will probably eventually move towards it. The WiFi strips for me tho have been pretty reliable because I created a dedicated network for Hydros to use at my house and it is completely isolated from everything else. But it is deftly an improvement I’m looking to make in the future :)
@@REEFHUB-Offical I also use a dedicated 2.4GHz ssid, still lose strip connection once in a while so I don’t trust them.
I use a different Kamoer that sits by my tank to drain down to the basement and a tunze turbelle high jet as a fill pump up from the reservoir in the basement. The Kamoer was too slow with the headpressure. Now doing a daily WC of 5 gallons in under 40 mins total.
@REEFHUB-Offical Thanks for the video! What do you think of the Kamoer pumps vs the GHL Maxi? I am looking into setting up AWC and plan to use Hydros for monitoring but was also considering doing a standalone GHL maxi system for AWC and ATO.
GHL is stable and works just fine. Personally, the Kamosr pumps are cheaper and more powerful than the GHL Maxi. I’d deftly go the Hydros route for AWC. It’s simpler to setup, implemented the same way, and more affordable.
Awesome video. Definitely going to have to try this out.
Thank you my friend! This one was deftly a fun one to make :)
Thank you for posting this video. No one else has taken the time to do a Hydros system overview/ setup and what can be achieved with Hydros. Your video is what I have been looking for. I am currently working on setting up a water change station in my basement. I am currently purchasing the parts as I can afford them. I plan on automating some of the functions on my water change station. Which controller or combination of controllers are needed to start from scratch to automate the water change station in my basement? I currently do not own any controllers or Hydros equipment? I am thinking of purchasing the X2 Starter pack, an XS controller & ATO kit with the triple water level sensor. If you recommend something different I am open to suggestions. I am not exactly sure how many water level sensors I will need. I am thinking a total of 4 level sensors and the one triple water level sensor available in the ATO kit. (one high level sensor & one low level sensor in the freshwater tank = 2 level sensors to control RO/DI.) (one high level sensor & one low level sensor in the sump of the display tank. = 2 water level sensors to control the AWC) and the Triple level sensor to to control the ATO. What I want out of the Hydros on my water change station is the following.
1. Auto refill RO/DI water storage tank
2. Auto water change display tank
3. Auto refill ATO container & maintain display water level
4. Measure water temperature of mixed saltwater
Thanks for viewing and I’m happy it helped you out. That sounds like a great start. The ATO sensor will also act as the high level sensor for AWC. If you are also planning to do a collective then you’ll also need a command bus cable and a terminator as well. Be sure to pay particular attention to the command bus tho. The command bus for anything over 3 meters will be data only so if you plan to have Hydros equipment greater than 3 meters apart you’ll need a data only command bus cable. The data only is sold up to 50ft in length. There is also a DIY method on making those cables to in the Hydros forum. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions! :)
Very curious how much this automated add-on costs. I have the Hydros Pro Pack (X4 and XP8) with a Wave Engine and Octopulse 4's. Have ATO with 3 level water sensor. What do I need to buy for this? Figure its at least a water level sensor and some Kamoer pumps?
That would be correct. It also depends on how you plan to run AWC. I have a mixing station so that could be an additional cost and possibly the cost of an ATO
@@REEFHUB-Offical I have the Hydros ATO and a brute trash can mixing station similar to yours. I am curious about how you did the actual plumbing in the sump to remove the water. You showed how you placed the water sensor, but where is the actual tubing in the sump, return chamber laying on the bottom below the return pump level? How do you have the water removal tubing placed in your salt water can, tubing inserted through the can top and the end is laying on the bottom of the can to get most of the water out? I'm seriously considerting replicating what you did. One last question... Why not use a submersable pump in both the sump and the salt water mixing station tank or in your setup the pump used in the mixing station configuration to move water even faster from the sump to drain and saltwater mix container back to sump?
@@prion2727 I just run RODI lines and hold it in place via a probe holder. One is deep enough in the water of AWC and the fill line is above the water line to pump it back in. As for the plumbing to my Mixing station, i drilled a couple holes and used RODI Bulk heads off amazon to secure it to my mixing station. I also have a Hydros Low Level sensor install in my mixing station that warns me when the reservoir is low. The pump that removes water just puts it down a drian.