The present invention consolidates and centrally organizes, among other things, the control of and communication with equipment and sensors placed in or adjacent to a habitat. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for controlling and recognizing habitat components comprises: a main controller comprising an integrated circuit (IC chip) containing information and programming for associated habitat components and a communication component for transferring updated programming and data to associated components via cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, or infrared; and a habitat component having an integrated circuit (IC chip) which contains operating data and acts as an identifier of the component, allowing an application on a smartphone or the main controller to automatically recognize the device and control programs.