The market is getting crowded, when it comes to reef aquarium circulation pumps. Just about all the major reef equipment companies have one, and many of them perform much the same. The Vortech by Ecotech Marine still stands as one of the greatest innovations in the realm of propeller pumps, though over the past year both Panta Rhei and Maxspect have taken a shot at out-innovating Ecotech. Now there is another kid on the block, the WAV from Neptune Systems. Immediately the WAV stands out for a few reasons, one being that it is designed by a company with a solid reputation for high tech, ultra-controllable reef aquarium gear. Neptune Systems’ Apex still sets the bar for aquarium controllers, and over the past few years the company has stretched its legs, offering everything from automatic dosing systems to hidden PAR monitors. All of these products work within the ecosystem of Apex Fusion, and in this regard the WAV is no different. This is another unique factor regarding the WAV, it’s the first circulation pump system that requires a full blown aquarium controller. While it may seem like Neptune is alienating much of the reefing population by requiring an Apex in order to use the WAV, when you see how flawlessly the circulation system ties in with Apex Fusion, instantly you realize why they opted for that route. Getting started:
Often I find that aquarists either love Neptune System’s Apex or they have never used one. Even though Neptune has eased aquarist’s introduction and set-up of Apex with Apex Fusion, some less than technically inclined aquarists are a bit squeamish about it. Having set-up multiple Apex units over the years, I can confidently say it’s now easier than ever to have total aquarium control. The two main points to consider if you haven’t used an Apex before, and have considered one, is first that they require a hard CAT 6 connection to a router. We’ve become spoiled these days with devices that automatically connect to wireless networks, but the Apex still requires a hard connection. For some aquarists whose tanks are far from their modem and router, this could be a problem. The other factor is that Apex units require a CAT 6 connection from your computer to the router for firmware updates. Attempting a firmware update without a hard router connection can end in disaster, meaning your Apex unit is flushed of all software and suddenly an expensive paperweight.… More:
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