Kraken Controller - Hydros

The Hydros Kraken reframes what an aquarium controller can be. Rather than simply switching AC outlets, it functions as a centralized 24V DC power distribution hub — consolidating the individual power supplies that return pumps, flow pumps, LED fixtures, and measurement systems typically require into a single, rack-mountable unit. The result is a significantly cleaner equipment cabinet and a more coherent control architecture, with every port individually monitored and managed through the Hydros ecosystem.

At the core of the Kraken are eight Force Ports, each capable of delivering up to 10 amps of 24V DC power with per-port power monitoring. These ports cover the most demanding equipment in a reef system: controllable flow pumps, return pumps, LED lighting, and other Hydros devices like the WaveEngine and Control X10. Four additional Drive Ports supply switched 12V power at up to 1.5 amps per port for smaller loads — ATO pumps, dosing pumps, cabinet LED strips, solenoids, and steering valves — with the same current-monitoring capability that alerts you if a device stops drawing power or exceeds its expected load. An external IP65-rated Mean Well Super Brick supplies the entire system with up to 20 amps (480W) of 24V DC, and a dedicated Battery Backup Port accepts a standard 12V lead-acid battery to keep the system running in Low Power Mode during an outage.

The Kraken is a full Hydros system controller, not just a power strip. Its two Command Bus Ports allow wired connections to other Hydros controllers, enabling a Collective in which devices share status and hand off control decisions for maximum redundancy. It can simultaneously monitor and wirelessly control up to eight Hydros WiFi devices — smart outlets, fish feeders, and WiFi power strips — through the Hydros cloud app, giving you remote access and rule-based automation from anywhere.

A few practical considerations before ordering: Force Port Adapter Cables and Drive Port Adapter Cables are required to connect devices to the Kraken and are sold separately. Powering a WaveEngine, WaveEngine LE, or Control X10 specifically requires a Force Port Power Cable, also sold separately. The included Battery Backup Cable does not come with a battery. The Kraken is designed to pass ETL/UL certification and operates on universal voltage (110–220V). It is engineered, built, and supported in the USA.