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Coralvue Hydros Integration GuideUpdated 2 months ago

The aF4 is fully compatible with the Coralvue Hydros™ aquarium controller via the 0-10v link port. This guide covers everything you need to get the aF4 connected, configured, and scheduled in the Hydros app.

What you'll need

  • aF4 unit
  • Coralvue Hydros GX-12 4-Channel 0-10v "Quad" Cable — available from online aquarium retailers. No additional cable purchase from inD Aquatics is required.
  • A compatible Hydros device with a 0-10v OUT port(purple colored port):
    • Hydros Control X4
    • Hydros WaveEngine
    • Hydros WaveEngine v2

Important: There are two types of 0-10v port on Hydros devices — IN and OUT. The aF4 requires the OUT port (purple). Using the IN port will not work.

Power supply note: The aF4 does not need to be powered from a Hydros-controlled outlet. Power it directly from the wall. A Hydros-controlled outlet will simply remain on 24/7 and adds no benefit.

How it works

The aF4's link port accepts a 0-10v signal. When the Hydros controller sends a 10v signal for at least 15 seconds, the aF4 triggers a single feed cycle. Once connected, Hydros takes over feed scheduling — the aF4's built-in 24-hour schedule is overridden.

The link LED on the top right of the aF4 will illuminate solid when connected and flash green each time a feed signal is received. 

NOTE: The green flashing indicator feature is only on units with SN 100XXX or units with the latest firmware.  aF4s with SN 60XXX, 20XXX or 10XXX will not have the flashing indicator and will remain solid.

The Hydros Quad Cable is color coded — Red, Black, Orange, and Brown — each corresponding to a different output in the Hydros app. Any color may be used. This guide uses Black as the example.

Step 1 — Connect the cable

  1. Power on the aF4 with an empty reservoir
  2. Connect the 3.5mm end of the Hydros Quad Cable to the 0-10v link port on the side of the aF4 — the link LED on the top right of the unit should illuminate
  3. Connect the other end to the 0-10v OUT port (purple) on your Hydros device

Step 2 — Add the aF4 output in Hydros

In the Hydros app, create a new output with the following settings:

  1. Create a new Output
  2. Family: Advanced
  3. Type: Generic
  4. Enable Has Internal Schedule
  5. Enable Advanced Settings
  6. Set Start Time — this is your first feeding time of the day
  7. Set Run Time: 00:00:15 (15 seconds is sufficient to trigger a feed cycle)
  8. Set Run Count — the number of feedings per day
  9. Set Run Interval — how frequently you want to feed
  10. Set Output Device: 0-10v Output 1 (BLK) (or whichever color cable you used)
  11. Set OFF Voltage: 0.0 and ON Voltage: 10.0
  12. Upload Changes

Step 3 — Test the connection

With the aF4 powered on and connected, trigger the output manually from the Hydros app and confirm:

  • The link LED on the aF4 flashes green (only on SN100XXX)
  • The aF4 completes a full feed cycle

Manually triggering a feed from Hydros

To create an on-demand manual feed trigger within the Hydros app, use Hydros Modes and a Virtual Output as follows:

Part A — Create a Mode

  1. Create a new Mode, title it something like "aF4 Feeding"
  2. Input Voltage: leave unused at −1v
  3. Mode Timeout: 00:00:15 (15 seconds)
  4. Exit Delay: leave unused at 00:00:00
  5. Active Units: leave untouched for most users — advanced users may wish to keep certain outputs inactive during this mode
  6. No need to upload changes yet — return to the main menu

Part B — Create a Virtual Output

  1. Create a new Output, title it "VRTL Feeding" or similar
  2. Family: Constant
  3. Active In Modes: this Virtual Output should only be active (checked) in the "aF4 Feeding" mode — make sure to uncheck all other modes
  4. Set Is Invisible to ON
  5. No need to upload changes yet — return to the main menu

Part C — Link the Virtual Output to the aF4 Output

  1. Go into the settings for your aF4 feeding output (created in Step 2)
  2. Set Depends On to your new "VRTL Feeding" output
  3. Set Dependency Mode to "On if On"
  4. Upload Changes

When you activate the "aF4 Feeding" mode, it runs for 15 seconds. During those 15 seconds the invisible VRTL Feeding output activates, which in turn sends a signal to the aF4 output — triggering a feed cycle. The mode automatically returns to Normal after 15 seconds.

WaveEngine v2 ONLY Setup (no Hydros Control or Collective)

If you only own a WaveEngine v2 as a standalone device — not as part of a Hydros Collective — you will need to create a single-device Collective first before the full output and scheduling features are available.

Only follow these steps if you have a standalone WaveEngine v2 with no other Hydros devices.

  1. From the Status screen of your Hydros WaveEngine v2, tap the three lines in the top left
  2. Tap the + button
  3. Tap Create New Collective
  4. Agree to the popup — this creates a single-device Collective
  5. Name your Collective
  6. Upload Changes
  7. Return to Step 2 above — you now have a single-device Collective and can follow the standard setup instructions

Note: When adding additional Hydros devices to this Collective in the future, those new devices will lose their existing configuration when they join. Refer to the Hydros Online User Manual for full Collective management guidance.

Important notes

  • The aF4's built-in 24-hour feed schedule is completely overridden when the link port is connected — do not rely on the internal schedule while using Hydros control
  • Feed quantity is still controlled by the aF4's feed quantity setting — adjust this on the unit itself, not in the Hydros app
  • The aF4's temperature settings, Auto-Clean, and all other functions operate independently of the Hydros connection

Troubleshooting

Link LED is not illuminating after connecting
Check that the 3.5mm end is fully seated in the aF4 link port; if it still does not illuminate contact support as this indicates an issue with the main PCB.

Feed is not triggering from Hydros
Confirm the output is set to Family: Advanced, Type: Generic, ON Voltage is set to 10.0, and that the correct cable color is selected as the Output Device.

aF4 does not trigger reliably
Confirm the Run Time or Mode Timeout is set to at least 15 seconds. A signal of at least 10 seconds is required to trigger a feed cycle.  Ensure your Hydros firmware is fully up to date.

Questions about the Hydros integration? Submit a support ticket and our team will help.

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