Master Your Growth with Mars Hydro Intelligent IControl System
With 16 years of experience and over 1,000 global dealers, Mars Hydro is dedicated to delivering high-efficiency solutions for indoor cultivation. As technology evolves, the brand has shifted its focus to include smart, user-friendly functionality.
The launch of the intelligent iControl system has unified Mars Hydro's ecosystem, enabling centralized control of lights, fans, and other grow equipment. These smart integrations bring all devices into one interface, letting you monitor conditions and manage your grow setup effortlessly.
In this blog, we’ll explore how the iControl system enhances your indoor growing experience, making cultivation smarter, simpler, and more efficient.
News about the Mars Hydro Smart Family
The Mars Hydro Smart Family is about to take a big step forward. On July 21, we’ll officially launch the upgraded iControl Smart Controller, the redesigned iHub-4AC four-outlet power strip, and the brand-new iHub Pro ten-outlet power strip.
The upgraded iControl Smart Controller, paired with the new iHub-4ac power strip, brings even more advanced features. The iHub Pro power strip combines the functionality of both a controller and power strip in one device, offering an all-in-one solution. Keep reading to explore more details.
IControl Highlights Overview
The 2025 iControl is a comprehensive upgrade of Controller 43. While retaining the functions of Controller 43, it has expanded and upgraded many advanced functions, making it more intelligent and user-friendly.
Full Environmental Control
The upgraded iControl now supports a complete range of grow equipment, including lights, fans, humidifiers, and more. With advanced temperature and humidity control plus real-time VPD monitoring, it keeps your environment optimized automatically. Just set your target conditions, and iControl will adjust connected devices to maintain them throughout the growth cycle.
Scenario-Based Automation
A key enhancement is the addition of scene settings. You can define different climate strategies for each growth stage, simulating seasonal shifts and day-night cycles. Once scheduled, iControl transitions smoothly between stages, ensuring your plants get the right care at the right time.
Expandable Sensor System
The potential of iControl doesn't stop here. You can also take control to the next level with optional sensor kits (sold separately). These smart add-ons provide precision monitoring and automation for:
- PPFD Sensor: Automatically adjusts lighting based on real-time light levels.
- Soil Sensor: Tracks soil moisture and nutrient levels to optimize watering and root health.
- CO₂ Sensor: Triggers CO₂ supplementation when ppm levels dip below your target.
Remote Monitor & Data Logging
Connected through the MarsPro app, iControl lets you monitor your grow room anytime from your smartphone. View real-time climate data, track changes over time, and get instant alerts for issues like temperature spikes, low water levels, or device disconnections. Whether you're nearby or away, you stay fully in control.
IHub-4AC Highlights Overview
The iHub-4AC power strip is a supplementary device for Mars Hydro iControl users. When you need to expand your growing equipment but find that the main controller has no extra ports available, that's when the iHub-4AC comes in handy.
4 Smart Outlet Modes
Each outlet on the iHub-4AC smart power strip supports four versatile control modes: Manual, Timer, Cycle, and Environment. This flexibility lets you tailor the function of each outlet to match the specific needs of your grow setup.
3 Environment Strategies
Optimize your grow environment with three powerful environmental strategies: Temperature, Humidity, and CO₂. The iHub-4AC lets you assign specific outlet behaviors based on real-time sensor data and the type of device connected(fan, humidifier, heater, or CO₂ generator).
ADlite Lighting Integration
The iHub-4AC also supports seamless control of Adlite grow lights, enabling synchronized lighting and climate automation within a single system. With lighting and environmental strategies working together, your grow room stays precisely tuned to each stage of plant development.
Scalability
Perfect for both home and commercial growers. The iHub-4AC supports daisy-chaining of up to 40 smart power strips under one iControl system, offering a smart and scalable solution for commercial and high-volume growers.
IHub Pro Highlights Overview
Both the iHub Pro and iHub-4AC belong to the iHub series, but the iHub Pro offers significantly more advanced functionality. The iHub-4AC is an extension for the iControl controller, while the iHub Pro functions as a standalone smart control system.
10 Smart Outlets
The iHub Pro comes equipped with 10 pre-configured smart outlets, ready to power and manage your essential grow room equipment. It supports devices like 2 LED grow lights, an inline fan, a clip fan, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a drip irrigation system, a heat mat, a heater, and 2 customizable outlets. With everything connected through a single intelligent hub, managing your grow setup has never been easier.
6 Intelligent Control Modes
Beyond its pre-assigned outlets, the iHub Pro offers six smart control modes: Temperature, Humidity, PPFD, CO₂, Timer, and Cycle. Each outlet can be customized to respond to specific conditions, giving you the flexibility to automate your grow room exactly how you want it.
Environmental Linkage Control
With advanced temperature and humidity strategies and real-time VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) monitoring, the iHub Pro automatically maintains optimal conditions for your plants. Compared to the previous generation, this upgraded model offers more precise and responsive climate control across all connected devices.
Automated Scene-Based Control
Easily set custom scenes based on different growth stages. Once a scene is selected, the iHub Pro syncs all connected equipment to match the conditions needed for that stage and transitions automatically to the next. After setup, your grow runs smoothly with minimal effort.
Expandable Sensor System
Like the iControl, the iHub Pro supports an expandable sensor system for even greater precision. Optional sensor kits (sold separately) take automation to the next level with targeted monitoring and control:
- PPFD Sensor: Automatically adjusts lighting based on real-time light levels.
- Soil Sensor: Tracks soil moisture and nutrient levels to optimize watering and root health.
- CO₂ Sensor: Triggers CO₂ supplementation when ppm levels dip below your target.
Remote Monitoring & Data Logging
Connected through the MarsPro app, the iHub Pro gives you remote access to your grow room from anywhere via smartphone. Monitor real-time environmental conditions, review historical data, and receive instant alerts for issues like sudden temperature spikes, disconnected devices, or low water levels in your humidifier.
Support for Mars Hydro products
LED Grow Lights: Most Mars Hydro LED grow lights with an RJ12 port are compatible with the iControl and iHub Pro for Bluetooth dimming. The only exception is the TS600, which does not support dimming.
Supplemental Lights: The ADlite 100 supports Bluetooth dimming. Other ADlite lights and the VG series can be controlled using multi-stage or cycle timer settings via the controller and power strip.
Inline Fans: The 2025 iFresh fan comes with an RJ12 interface, enabling smart features like speed control and environmental automation. Fans without RJ12 interfaces can still be switched on and off through the timer mode, cycle mode, and environment mode, but speed adjustment is not possible.
Clip-on Fans: Similar to inline fans, only the RJ12 version of the clip-on fan supports intelligent speed control. Non-RJ12 versions are limited to on/off switching the timer mode, cycle mode, and environment mode via the controller and power strip.
Humidifiers: Current 5L and 15L humidifiers without RJ12 support can only be turned on or off according to the 3 modes. RJ12-compatible models with smart control features are planned for future release.
Drip Irrigation, DWC, and Heat Mats: These devices support on/off control according to the 3 modes via the controller and power strip.
Grow Tent Kits: All current Mars Hydro Grow Tent Kits include lights, fans, and clip-on fans that are compatible with the smart controller plug for seamless automation, except for kits featuring the TS600.
Purchasing Advice
Mars Hydro’s intelligent iControl system is ideal for indoor growers who want more than just the basics. If you're ready to take your grow setup to the next level, here's how to choose the right components:
IConnectu: Ideal for users who only have Mars Hydro lights or fans, IConnectu is a great entry point for those just beginning to explore smart grow tech.
ITime: Designed for basic scheduling needs, ITime works well with products that only require simple on/off timers. It doesn’t support advanced features like environmental control, dimming, or speed adjustments.
IControl: Perfect for home growers using the Mars Hydro complete grow set, iControl connects and automates lights, fans, and clip-on fans for a streamlined growing experience.
IHub-4AC: A smart add-on for larger setups, the iHub-4AC expands device control when paired with IControl, making it ideal for advanced hobbyists or small-scale projects.
IHub Pro: Built for professional growers, the iHub Pro supports up to 10 devices and offers full smart automation for irrigation systems, humidifiers, heating mats, and more.
Smart Sensors: Upgrade your environmental control with optional sensors for PPFD, CO₂, and soil monitoring. These add-ons are great for growers seeking more precise, data-driven growing.
FAQs
Q1: Can the power strip or controller control other brands' devices?
No, other brands' devices are not currently supported.
Q2: Can the new controller connect to the old iHub-4AC, or vice versa?
No, the old and new models aren’t compatible. The new iControl controller only works with the new iHub-4AC.
Q3: Are the iHub-4AC and iHub Pro the same functions?
No. The iHub-4AC is an add-on that requires the iControl controller to function. The iHub Pro is a standalone control device.
Q4: Can devices be assigned to different scenes?
Each power strip or controller can only run one scene at a time. Devices connected to it must follow that single scene.
Q5: Can devices without RJ12 cables be controlled?
Devices without RJ12 cables can be plugged in and controlled with basic functions like timers, but speed or setting adjustments aren’t possible. They cannot be connected directly to controllers, which only support devices with RJ12 cables.
Final Thought
As smart technology continues to evolve, the cultivation industry is steadily moving toward greater automation and intelligence, and Mars Hydro’s iControl system is helping lead that progress. With powerful features and flexible control, it offers growers a more efficient and intelligent way to manage the grow environment.
Choosing Mars Hydro means more than just upgrading your equipment. It’s an opportunity to join a movement toward the future of cultivation. We welcome your feedback and experiences, which help us continue improving our products and creating smarter solutions for the growing community.
I want to test it!
This would solve all my problems and make an awesome birthday present to myself. ThankQ. TkEZ
I want to test it!