Request for Open API / Local Integration Options for Chihiros Devices

[Naaf]

As a loyal customer and aquascaping enthusiast, I would like to raise an important concern and offer a constructive suggestion regarding your product ecosystem.

Over the past few years, Chihiros has built an impressive lineup of lights, dosers, and heaters that appeal to both beginner and advanced aquarists. However, one critical limitation is starting to alienate many in the smart aquarium and home automation community:

Chihiros products offer no official API or support for local integration with third-party ecosystems like Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or open platforms such as MQTT.

Instead, customers are forced to use the My Chihiros app, which relies on proprietary protocols, cloud accounts, and closed Bluetooth communication — limiting flexibility, automation potential, and trust.

Why This Matters?
Many of us operate advanced aquarium setups that require:

• Automated lighting schedules based on weather, presence, or tank activity
• Dosing coordination with live parameters (e.g., via sensors and feedback loops)
• Centralized control through a unified smart home system
• Full local control (no dependency on the cloud or phone apps)

Currently, Chihiros forces users to work around these limitations using:

• Community reverse-engineered BLE hacks (e.g., ESP32 projects)
• Smart plug relays that simply cut power — defeating the point of your advanced gear
• Manual overrides that are error-prone and inconvenient

This situation creates frustration and prevents your most dedicated customers from realizing the full potential of your devices.

What We Are Asking For?
I urge Chihiros to please consider the following:

- Publish a simple, well-documented local API (BLE, HTTP, or MQTT-based)
- Allow optional LAN-only control for Wi-Fi-enabled devices
- Partner with Home Assistant or publish integration hooks
- Provide developer documentation under NDA if full open release isn’t possible

These steps do not threaten your business — they expand it, by embracing the growing DIY and automation community who would otherwise move to more open brands.

Otherwise, We May Have to Move On!

Frankly speaking, many customers — myself included — are now exploring alternative solutions such as:

• Shelly for power and dosing control
• GHL or Neptune Apex for advanced reef systems
• ESPHome and custom-built solutions with full API support

I personally prefer to stay with Chihiros, given your hardware quality and aquascaping focus. But unless there’s a move toward openness and interoperability, many of us will be forced to switch to brands that respect user freedom and flexibility.

Please consider this an open invitation to collaborate.

We are not asking for much — just the freedom to use the equipment we paid for in the ecosystem that best suits our need.

Thank you for your time and for listening to your community.

 

[Administrator]

Dear valued customer,

Thank you sincerely for your thoughtful message and for being a loyal Chihiros user and aquascaping enthusiast. We truly appreciate the time and care you took to share your insights regarding product integration and smart control.

We fully understand the growing interest from advanced users in features such as local API access, third-party platform integration (e.g., Home Assistant, MQTT), and cloud-free control. These are indeed valuable suggestions that reflect the direction of many modern smart home systems.

At this time, we do not have immediate plans to open up our devices to local APIs or external platforms. However, please be assured that your feedback has been shared with our product and development teams, and we will carefully consider it as we continue to improve and evolve our ecosystem.

At Chihiros, we remain committed to delivering high-quality aquascaping equipment and continuously enhancing user experience. We’re also closely following developments in home automation and appreciate the needs of our growing user community.

Thank you once again for your support and for reaching out. Please feel free to contact us anytime with further questions, feedback, or suggestions.

Warm regards,
Chihiros team