Released in April last year, the HYDROS Launch has been tried and true for nearly a year. In my opinion, it represents the best bang for your buck option on the market for an aquarium controller. When it comes to new consumers deciding to pull the trigger on automation, there are two primary barriers to entry: a) cost and b) complexity of the system.
Many automation companies offer products that require users to buy separate brains, outlets, etc. Not only are these components typically expensive on their own, but combined, they amount to a cost typically in the thousands (at minimum).
Coral Vue has addressed both of these barriers with the Launch—an all-in-one piece of equipment that contains everything you need to get started—drive ports, sense ports, outlets—the whole nine yards. Better yet, it retails at $549.99, making it a much more affordable option compared to competing brands. As of now, if you’re looking to get into automating your tank, there’s no better entry-level option than the Launch at this time.
In addition to its functionality, it comes with a one-year warranty. Below is a collection of the device’s specifications, breaking down exactly everything the Launch is capable of right out of the box.
Technical Details
“Launch Includes:
- Launch Controller
- Temperature Sensor
- pH Probe with Calibration Solutions
Launch Specifics
Dimensions (LxWxH): 9.5 x 4.75 x 3.625in
Power Chord Length: 5ft
What you can expect from your HYDROS Smart Device
- Control your HYDROS device(s) from anywhere in the world using the technologically advanced HYDROS cloud-based app
- Ability to monitor and control your HYDROS device(s) locally through WiFi
- A fast dual-core 32-bit processor that allows control decisions to be made within each device
- The user sets the alerts and notifications
- Internal health monitoring to report voltages, currents, CPU status, and the internal temperature of each device
- HYDROS Command Bus connections to transfer data and power to devices
Quick & Easy Setup
There is no complicated programming language to learn. If you can operate a smartphone, you can be the operator of a smart aquarium—tap, drag, press, or flick to adjust settings using intuitive icons and simple menus. Schedule each component in your aquarium life support system to run at a specific time, frequency, or intensity. You can also use real-time data and easily configure more complex actions.
Command Bus – 2 Available
The Command bus communicates with other HYDROS devices for the ultimate failsafe and can also power other Control devices.
12V Drive Port – 4 Available
The Drive Ports provide switched 12V DC power for running small HYDROS aquarium devices. The Control continuously monitors the exact current supplied by each port, so you will be immediately notified if a motor or pump quits drawing current or draws too much.
Each drive port can handle up to 1.5A, and the entire device can handle up to 3A in total.
Drive Ports Currently Support:
- Auto Top-Off (ATO) pumps
- Dosing pumps
- Cooling fans
- Cabinet LED lights
- Solenoids – 1/4in water and CO2 control
- Steering valves and relays
Stirrers - HYDROS IV
Sense Port – 4 Available
The Sense Port is a new concept in aquarium parameter measurement. HYDROS devices include several Sense Ports. A Sense Port is a generic input port that can accept data from numerous different types of sensors.
Sense Ports Currently Support:
- Temperature sensor – Either air or water
- Fluid level – Optical sensors to measure liquid levels
- Leak detection – Monitoring for both point and wide area leak detection
- Flow rate – Measures the amount of fluid flowing through a pipe
- Total dissolved solids – Dual measurement of the TDS levels from your RODI system
Salinity Probe Port – 1 Available
The Salinity Probe is a special probe port for use with conductivity probes to monitor the salinity of your aquarium’s water. Salinity Probe Kit is not included but is required to monitor Salinity.
Isolated Testing Vessel
This add-on ensures that the test sample is physically separated, preventing any electric interference from other equipment in the aquarium system. HYDROS iV is not included but recommended.
pH/ORP Probe Port – 1 Available
One of the most remarkable ports on the HYDROS Launch is the Probe Port. You can connect an ORP or a pH probe to the Probe Port but, this is no ordinary pH input! The circuitry is based on an ultra-high-quality input chip specifically designed for these types of probes. Each pH input provides digital galvanic isolation from the rest of the system. Galvanic isolation prevents interference with other accessories connected to the system like motors and pumps. Digital Galvanic isolation preserves the accuracy of the measurement by converting the signal to a digital domain before crossing the isolation threshold.
pH/ORP Probe Ports Currently Support:
- pH Measurement
- ORP Measurement
- Alkalinity input from an external measurement system
Controllable AC Power Outlets – 4 Available
Four controllable AC power outlets to safely control aquarium equipment like heaters, lighting, water pumps, protein skimmers, filters, and pretty much anything else.
Max Per Relay: 8A
Total Max Amperage: 14A
AC outlets have no individual power monitoring.
Control up to 8 WiFi Devices
The HYDROS App allows you to create rules and set schedules to control our 4-Outlet WiFi AC Power Strips and Smart Outlets. Quickly turn on or off different pieces of aquarium equipment like pumps, powerheads, lights, heaters, algae scrubbers, UV sterilizers, protein skimmers, and more.”
