Reef aquariums replicate one of the most stable environments on Earth. Coral reefs are the product of millions of years of evolution, an environment created and sustained by tiny animals. Corals capability to build structures and tailor their environment is second only to human beings, with various reefs being visible from space. Natural ecological processes provide coral reefs with water that is nutrient free, meaning that no nitrate, phosphate or other dissolved organic matter is present and water conditions are extremely stable. This is why ocean temperature increases of 2-5 degrees spell disaster for coral reefs, as they are perfectly suited to an environment that never changes. Our aquariums often exist as unstable mimics of natural reefs. Tiny boxes of water that are subject to constant chemical changes, whether it be from water evaporation, temperature and ph fluctuation, or any other host of processes taking place in the aquarium water. Keeping the calcium, magnesium and carbonate hardness of marine water within acceptable parameters is a painstaking process. Inability to achieve stability has kept many would-be reef keepers from fully realizing their dreams of a home coral reef. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if the entire process was automated? Most aquarists are familiar with full blown reef controllers, but for some reason just as many have never used one. Years ago controllers were given the reputation of being hard to hook-up, tough to update and impossible to fully program. The controller market was plagued with complete failures, such as the Digital Aquatics Lifeguard. Not only did this system advertise simplicity, it failed aquarists with bad firmware, constant misreading and an inability to control anything. Out of the ashes of the controller market, Neptune Systems has been constantly refining their product. With advancements in communications technology, online software and evolving aquarium products – a Neptune System’s Apex is easier to use today than ever. Yet, there are still aquarists who are shy about implementing an aquarium controller. Below is a common-sense guide to setting up an Apex. You don’t need any computer programming skills and a basic knowledge of computer/communication technology will be more than enough. Once the system is set-up, you will be surprised at how Apex Fusion takes over, and literally allows for total control, monitoring and automation of your aquarium. What you will need: (remember all the networking with an Apex requires a hard connection to the router.… More:
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