HYDROS HYDROS Control - Add a Smart Doser Output (X10, Sole, Minnow)

Dosing pumps are crucial in maintaining a healthy and thriving aquarium ecosystem. By delivering precise and controlled amounts of essential chemicals, such as fertilizers, supplements, and medications, dosing pumps ensure the water parameters remain stable and optimized for the aquarium inhabitants. This precision helps promote optimal growth and vitality of plants, corals, and other organisms while also preventing the accumulation of harmful substances that can jeopardize the overall well-being of the aquatic environment.

TIP: A smart dosing pump enables the HYDROS controller to adjust the flow rate according to various criteria. Unlike a regular “simple” dosing pump, a smart dosing pump can change flow rates automatically without manual intervention.

Here is what you’ll need to get started:

A HYDROS Control X10, Minnow, Blenny, or Sole with an open, unused smart dosing pump.

Step 1: Create the Smart Doser Output

From the STATUS screen on your HYDROS app, tap on the three horizontal dots to the right of the OUTPUTS label and select “Add / Edit Output.”
Tap on the + symbol at the bottom right of the page
Type in the name of your new output and then tap “Create.”

Step 2: Configure your Smart Doser

Family: Doser
Type: Smart Doser
Output Device: You can select the Smart Pump number on your HYDROS controller.
Run Constantly (Sole): This option lets you quickly configure the pump to run 24/7 at a set flow rate. If you want a more complex flow pattern, create a Dosing Regimen ^[1] under “Schedules.”
- Default Flow Rate (ml/min): Specify the flow rate to which your pump defaults.
  
  TIP: We suggest setting the speed close to the application. If the pump doses are between 1 and 100 mL, we recommend setting the speed to 10 mL/min to improve accuracy at the low end of the range.
Active Modes: This allows you to select which mode this output will be operational in and which mode should be turned off.
Depends On: This feature allows you to turn the output based on the status of another output. To enable this, select it from the list of available outputs.
- Dependency Mode: You can turn the output ON or OFF based on the other output.
  - OFF if OFF: Will turn the current output OFF if the output it depends on is OFF.
  - OFF if ON: Will turn the current output OFF when the output it depends on is ON.
  - ON if OFF: Will turn the current output ON when the output it depends on is OFF.
  - ON if ON: Will turn the current output ON when the output it depends on is ON.
Is Invisible: If you choose to hide the input from the status screen, it will only become visible on pages that have “Show Invisible” selected.

Step 3: Save

After configuring the output, tap the yellow bar at the bottom to upload your changes to the cloud and each HYDROS device.

Step 4: Define the Dosing Regimen Schedule

After configuring your pump, it’s time to inform HYDROS control about the “How and When” of pump operation by establishing a Dosing Regimen. Please click here ^[1] for guidance on creating a Dosing Regimen Schedule.

One-Time Manual Dosing

Once in a while, we need to do one-time adjustment dosings outside of our regular scheduled regimen. The HYDROS makes this very easy and simple.

Step 1: Open Doser Output Popup

Tap on the Doser Output Tile or Text to view the output popup options from the STATUS screen.

Step 2: Specify Volume

To the right of the “Manual Dose” button, enter the one-time total volume you would like to administer.
Tap on “Manual Dose” to start. The HYDROS app will show you a running volume at the top of the Output Popup window.

Prime the Smart Doser

What is priming a dosing pump? It refers to filling the pump and associated tubing with the intended liquid or solution before initiating operation. This ensures the pump is prepared correctly and eliminates air pockets, enabling accurate and consistent delivery of the desired substance.

To prime the line:

Place the output line of your dose in a container or drain.
Perform a “One-Time Manual Dose ^[2]” until all air is purged from the line. Depending on the length of your line, you might have to do multiple manual dosing.
Once you see liquid exiting the output, the line is primed.

Calibrating the Smart Doser

You might calibrate the unit depending on the wear and tear and how much you use the smart doser. We recommend calibrating the dosing machines every 4 to 6 weeks.

Here is what you will need:

Smart Doser Pump (primed)
You will need a calibrated measuring beaker that can handle the “Default Flow Rate” of the pump you specified in Step 2.

WARNING: To calibrate a smart pump, manually override the pump to off.

Insert the primed doser output line into the measuring/calibrated beaker.
Tap on the “Calibrate” button. It will trigger the HYDROS to run the pump for EXACTLY one minute.
Remove the line from the beaker and read the volume inside. Enter this value on the HYDROS app.
Upload your changes.

To ensure proper calibration, perform a fresh “One-Time Manual Dose ^[2]” using the default flow rate. Once the HYDROS has run the pump for exactly one minute, verify that the volume in the beaker matches your requested amount.

If the confirmation doesn’t work, please repeat the calibration process.

Rename Output & Change Icon

From the STATUS screen, tap on the Output you wish to modify.
On the popup, tap on the “Gear” icon on the bottom right.
From the Output setup page, tap on the “Pencil” icon on the top left.
Type in the new name you wish
If you wish to change the default icon, tap “Change Icon.”