Add Flow Pump (Direct Drive)

Direct Drive allows you to connect a water pump directly into your HYDROS (you MUST have a HYDROS WaveEngine, WaveEngine V2, WaveEngine LE, or IceCap WiFi Dual Pump Controller), allowing it to power and control the powerhead. In addition, it eliminates the need for that pump’s external controller and power brick. That’s right! The WaveEngine can power up to four water pumps simultaneously. Imagine all of the clutter you can clear out of your stand!

Here is a list ^[1] of all Direct Drive compatible pumps.

What you will need to get started

• A HYDROS WaveEngine, WaveEngine V2, WaveEngine LE, or IceCap WiFi Dual Pump Controller
• Direct Drive compatible pump
• A compatible 6″ adapter (not needed if using an IceCap WiFi Dual Pump Controller)

Step 1: Connecting your pump to the WaveEngine

• Connect your pump’s motor block to the compatible Direct Drive Adapter cord. (not needed if using an IceCap WiFi Dual Pump Controller)
• Attach the adapter cord to one of the yellow drive ports on the compatible HYDROS device. If using an IceCap WiFi Dual Pump Controller, connect the pump directly to one of two controller terminals.

Step 2: Create a pump on the HYDROS app

• From the STATUS screen, tap the three horizontal dots to the right of the OUTPUTS label.
• Select “Add / Edit Output”
• Tap on the “+” symbol at the bottom right
• Type the name of the pump and click on “CREATE.”

Step 3: Configure the New pump

• Family: Variable Pumps
• Type: Direct Pump
• Pump Model: Select the option that matches the pump you are attaching
• Output Device: Select the drive (yellow) port number where the pump is connected.
  • Invert Rotation: It’s essential to understand that not all pumps are identical. This feature is intended to accommodate differences in manufacturing processes and is not associated with the capability to operate in reverse or adjust reverse speed.
    
    TIP: One should only choose Invert Rotation if the pump is running in the wrong direction, such as moving in reverse when it should be going forward.
• Runs Constantly: This option allows you to run the pump at a “Constant” speed quickly and conveniently without creating a separate Flow Schedule.
  • Constant Speed: This option allows you to set the continuous speed level, but it is only available if you enable “Run Constantly.”
  • Used In Schedule: This is a list of all external Flow Schedules used by this Variable Pump. This list displays only when “Run Constantly” is disabled. 
• Speed Limit: This is the master flow limit that governs your pump’s maximum and minimum speed, regardless of its pattern.
  
  TIP: Consider the speed limit a governor. When you set up a “Flow Schedule” that operates at 1% to 100% intensity, but the pump’s speed range is limited between 25% and 75%, then 1% on the “Flow Schedule” corresponds to the pump operating at 25%. Similarly, 100% on the “Flow Schedule” means the pump physically runs at 75%. Simply put, the “Flow Schedule” speed range falls within the speed limit here.
• Allow Reverse: Certain pumps have an option to enable this feature. When selected, the pump can operate in both forward and backward directions according to the flow schedule. If you leave it disabled, the pump will only operate in one direction.
  • Reverse Speed Range: When running the pump in reverse, this is the same as the speed limit. This option is only visible when “Allow Reverse” is enabled. 

Step 4: Upload the Changes

• Once you have configured your flow pump, tap on the yellow bar at the bottom of the screen to upload the changes to the cloud and individual HYDROS devices.

Step 5: Create a Flow Schedule

After defining the pump, you can instruct the controller on how it operates. Please refer to the “Add Flow Pump Schedule” option on the left menu for instructions.