Interactive HYDROS controller builder

HYDROS Controller Comparison & System Builder

Compare all 10 HYDROS aquarium controllers, then add compatible sensors, probes, pumps, power modules and cables with live port counts and pricing.

Shop all HYDROS How the system works

Choose your primary controller

Start with one controller for a clear comparison. You can combine more controllers in the optional next step.

    Expand your Collective (optional)

    Add an XP8, output module or another controller. Their ports combine into one HYDROS system.

    The XP8 adds eight monitored AC outlets and Command Bus power. You can also combine different controllers or add more than one of the same model.

    Added expansions

    0 added

    None selected. Your primary controller is enough to continue.

      Add compatible gear

      Only gear that works with your selected Collective is shown. Port usage updates as you build.

      Sensors & safety

      Dosing & ATO

      Power & connectivity

      Flow control

      Use this HYDROS controller comparison and system builder to plan an aquarium control system around the equipment you actually need. Choose a primary controller, optionally combine additional Controls into a HYDROS Collective, then add compatible sensors, probes, dosing equipment, pumps, power modules and cables. The builder updates available ports, pricing and compatibility as the system grows.

      HYDROS by CoralVue is a modular aquarium automation platform for reef tanks, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best controller is determined by the jobs it must perform—not tank size alone. Start by listing the measurements, alerts and equipment you want to control, then choose enough Sense, Drive, pH/ORP, salinity, AC, dosing, 0–10V and Force connections with room for future expansion.

      Controller specifications and compatibility guidance reviewed September 9, 2026. Product availability and manufacturer guidance can change; confirm current specifications and installation requirements on each linked product page.

      How to Use the HYDROS Controller Builder

      1. Choose one primary controller. Compare the 10 current HYDROS Controls by ports, included hardware and intended use.
      2. Expand the Collective if needed. Add another controller, an XP8, XD or Kraken. A multi-controller Collective requires Command Bus cable(s) and two terminators total—one at each end.
      3. Add compatible aquarium equipment. The catalog shows gear that works with at least one controller in the selected Collective. Required modules reveal their dependent accessories.
      4. Review the live build. Check quantities, variants, open ports and subtotal before adding the products to your cart, checking out or saving them to your wishlist.

      The configurator is a planning aid. Before installation, verify the exact voltage, current limit, cable, adapter and power requirements in the current HYDROS documentation. Similar-looking connectors are not necessarily interchangeable.

      HYDROS Controller Comparison

      Controller Main capacity Power and included hardware Best use
      HYDROS Start 4 AC outlets, 4 Sense, 2 Drive Powered; temperature sensor included Focused first aquarium controller
      HYDROS Launch 4 AC, 4 Sense, 4 Drive, pH/ORP, salinity and 0–10V Powered; temperature and pH probes included Broad all-in-one reef control
      HYDROS X10 4 Sense, 2 Drive, 4 dosing heads, pH/ORP and salinity Power supply, temperature probe and pH probe included Advanced testing and four-part dosing
      HYDROS Minnow 4 Sense, 2 dosing heads Power supply, tubing and calibration beaker included Compact two-channel dosing
      HYDROS Blenny 4 Sense, 2 Drive, 4 dosing heads Power supply, tubing and calibration beaker included Four-channel dosing and sensing
      HYDROS XS 4 Sense Controller only; compatible power required Sensor-focused monitoring
      HYDROS X2 2 Sense, 2 Drive Controller only; compatible power required Compact sensing and 12V control
      HYDROS X3 2 Sense, 1 pH/ORP Controller only; probe and power sold separately Focused pH or ORP monitoring
      HYDROS X3-S 2 Sense, 1 salinity Controller only; salinity kit and power sold separately Focused salinity monitoring
      HYDROS X4 4 Sense, 2 Drive, 2 pH/ORP and 0–10V Controller only; probes and power sold separately Flexible monitoring hub

      Powered starting points: Start and Launch combine monitoring with built-in AC control. X10 emphasizes probe testing and four-head dosing, while Minnow and Blenny focus on integrated dosing. These models include the power needed to operate independently.

      Controller-only specialists: XS, X2, X3, X3-S and X4 are efficient ways to add specific inputs or outputs to an existing Collective. They require a compatible power supply or Command Bus power from a powered HYDROS controller.

      HYDROS Port and Connection Guide

      Connection What it does Planning note
      Sense Port Receives data from compatible temperature, water-level, leak, flow, TDS and switch sensors Included temperature sensors occupy one Sense Port where supplied
      Drive Port Provides switched 12V DC power to approved pumps, solenoids, feeders and accessories A Drive extension cable lengthens a connection but does not add capacity
      pH/ORP Port Accepts one compatible pH or ORP probe Launch and X10 include a pH probe; X3 and X4 probes are sold separately
      Salinity Port Accepts the HYDROS Salinity Kit Available on Launch, X10 and X3-S; the salinity kit is sold separately
      AC Outlet Switches compatible 120V aquarium equipment Start and Launch include four; XP8 adds eight monitored outlets
      0–10V Supports approved variable-speed and switch applications Available on Launch and X4; use the correct HYDROS cable
      Force Port Provides monitored 24V DC power through Kraken Device-specific voltage, adapters and total power budget still apply
      Command Bus Connects HYDROS Controls into one Collective Use cable(s) between controllers and exactly two terminators, one at each end

      Choose Accessories by the Job

      • Monitoring and safety: Temperature, optical water-level, float, leak, skimmer, flow and TDS sensors use compatible Sense connections. pH, ORP and salinity probes use their dedicated probe ports instead.
      • Automatic top off and dosing: The HYDROS Triple Optical ATO Kit needs both sensing and pump control. Standard HYDROS dosing pumps and DC valves use approved Drive capacity; an AC dosing pump uses a controllable outlet.
      • Testing: The iV PRO Isolated Testing Vessel uses a Drive Port and pH/ORP connection. Automated alkalinity testing also requires suitable X10 dosing capacity.
      • Flow control: HYDROS WaveEngine V2 and WaveEngine LE coordinate compatible pumps. Direct-drive adapters are pump-family specific, so verify the exact pump model before ordering.

      Included probes and sensors are already reserved in the builder’s port count. If the proposed system exceeds available capacity, cart and checkout remain disabled until an accessory is removed or the correct expansion is added.

      Expand with XP8, XD, Kraken or Another Controller

      • HYDROS XP8 adds eight monitored AC outlets and Command Bus power. It is the direct choice for controlling more mains-powered aquarium equipment.
      • HYDROS XD adds three switched 12V Drive outputs and includes its own power supply.
      • HYDROS Kraken adds eight 24V Force Ports and four 12V Drive Ports for compatible DC equipment and approved adapters.
      • Additional Controls add their own specialized ports to the shared Collective. This makes it possible to place sensing, dosing and equipment control near different parts of a large reef system.

      For every multi-controller HYDROS Collective: connect all Controls with the required Command Bus cable(s) and install two terminators total—one at each end of the bus. Plan controller power, cable lengths and termination before mounting equipment.

      Common HYDROS Reef Tank Builds

      • Simple monitoring and AC control: Start with a temperature sensor, leak detection and room for a future ATO.
      • All-in-one mixed reef: Launch provides temperature, pH, salinity readiness, AC outlets and several 12V outputs. Add the Salinity Kit or XP8 only when those functions are needed.
      • Advanced dosing and testing: X10 combines four dosing heads with pH and salinity support. Add a Salinity Kit, XP8 for AC equipment, or iV PRO when its full port and dosing requirements are met.
      • Distributed Collective: Combine a powered controller with XS, X2, X3, X3-S or X4 units placed near the equipment they monitor and control.

      HYDROS Controller FAQs

      What is the difference between HYDROS Launch and X10?

      Launch is the broader all-in-one controller because it combines monitoring with four built-in AC outlets and four Drive Ports. X10 replaces built-in AC control with four integrated dosing heads while retaining Sense, Drive, pH/ORP and salinity connections. Both include temperature and pH probes; both require the separate Salinity Kit for salinity measurement.

      Can different HYDROS controllers work together?

      Yes. Compatible Controls connect through Command Bus and operate as one HYDROS Collective, sharing available inputs and outputs. The builder combines their port capacity and filters accessories against the complete selected system.

      Do controller-only HYDROS models need power?

      Yes. XS, X2, X3, X3-S and X4 require a compatible Control power supply or Command Bus power from a powered Collective. Do not order a bare controller without identifying its power source.

      What is the difference between Sense and Drive Ports?

      A Sense Port receives information from a compatible sensor or switch. A Drive Port supplies switched 12V DC power to a compatible accessory. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

      Does HYDROS continue working without internet access?

      HYDROS is designed to retain local control behavior, while internet access supports remote app functions and notifications. Test the required offline behavior and failure response for heaters, return pumps, ATO equipment and other critical devices before relying on unattended automation.

      Build Your HYDROS Aquarium Control System

      Use the configurator above to compare HYDROS controllers, combine expansion modules, confirm compatible accessories and catch obvious port shortages before checkout. For more options, browse the complete HYDROS collection, compare our aquarium controllers, or explore aquarium dosing pumps.