Custom 160 Build Thread - Finally!!
- Thread starter Jgoal55
- Start date
Jgoal55
Active member
Thanks Elisa!
I finally got some work done on the inside of my stand. I have to say, there are few things better than being able to crawl into your stand and sit down perfectly without hitting your head. On the way out however, I hit my head a few times.
Anyway, after many staples, many tie wraps, some cable management systems, and a little bit of OCD....it's pretty much ready. Still a little more organizing to do with the cables but for the most part it's done.
As you can see, I mounted the ballasts on the wall behind the tank. That saved me quite a bit of space in the stand. I also mounted an extra surge protector/power center on the wall because you can never have too many outlets. As you can see, all my tubing was all over the place as well.
So after a few of these....
We got to this....
this...
this...
and this...
Here is a shot of how that cable management system works. Its great because you just snap the cables into place so its easy to remove/add cables. I want to organize this a little more even though you can't see at all unless you're inside the stand...
And here is a view from the side of how I mounted the sump light (a 150w HQI) and the sump fan (a 10" indoor/outdoor fan....all plastic parts. Picked it up at Ace).
And here is the full shot of the canopy....Im going to get a plastic drawer system to pull all that stuff in.....I just have to find one the right size....Container Store here I come.
I finally got some work done on the inside of my stand. I have to say, there are few things better than being able to crawl into your stand and sit down perfectly without hitting your head. On the way out however, I hit my head a few times.
Anyway, after many staples, many tie wraps, some cable management systems, and a little bit of OCD....it's pretty much ready. Still a little more organizing to do with the cables but for the most part it's done.
As you can see, I mounted the ballasts on the wall behind the tank. That saved me quite a bit of space in the stand. I also mounted an extra surge protector/power center on the wall because you can never have too many outlets. As you can see, all my tubing was all over the place as well.
So after a few of these....
We got to this....
this...
this...
and this...
Here is a shot of how that cable management system works. Its great because you just snap the cables into place so its easy to remove/add cables. I want to organize this a little more even though you can't see at all unless you're inside the stand...
And here is a view from the side of how I mounted the sump light (a 150w HQI) and the sump fan (a 10" indoor/outdoor fan....all plastic parts. Picked it up at Ace).
And here is the full shot of the canopy....Im going to get a plastic drawer system to pull all that stuff in.....I just have to find one the right size....Container Store here I come.
David - Miami
Aquanot!
Jorge that cable management system did a great job! Looks great.
One question though, are you going to leave your controller closed or are you planning to cut a window so you can see it from the outside? Just curious because it is a nice piece of hardware to show off.:thumbsup:
One question though, are you going to leave your controller closed or are you planning to cut a window so you can see it from the outside? Just curious because it is a nice piece of hardware to show off.:thumbsup:
JCeballos27
Monster
Wow that looks great! I really like the cable management
and get some "real" testkits!
Bah! API and Salifert are more than anyone needs as far as test kits. If you want to spend some money testing to the nth degree, juts get a colorimeter or borrow someone else's locally. No reason for those fancy/expensive test kits!
Jgoal55
Active member
Haha. Yeah those API test kits are actually quite useful when cycling and when family and friends call to tell me something is wrong with their tank they are good enough. And usually in those cases your testing for ammonia and nitrates.
The saliferts I use for alk, mag, and calc. And then I have some red sea kits that I think work well bur I don't remember what they are for.
That said, it's been a long time since I did any testing at all. I'm too lazy for that.
The saliferts I use for alk, mag, and calc. And then I have some red sea kits that I think work well bur I don't remember what they are for.
That said, it's been a long time since I did any testing at all. I'm too lazy for that.
Pacific Reefs
New member
I was going to say the same thing...I think you have to show that thing off!
Jgoal55
Active member
lol....Ill think about it. I just think it would look out of place on such a nice piece of furniture. If I did it it, it would be on the side panel.
Id have to drill a pretty decent hole for the USB plug to fit through and then if I ever change my mind, i just have a piece of furniture with a hole on one side.
Id have to drill a pretty decent hole for the USB plug to fit through and then if I ever change my mind, i just have a piece of furniture with a hole on one side.
SawdustInTank
New member
Nice work cleaning up the wires.......
David - Miami
Aquanot!
I think it is okay with the monitor inside, but if you cut a hole just to see it but leave it mounted inside the cabinet, you should not need to cut anything for the USB port. The face of the controller should be flush with the cabinet.
Again, I think it is personal preference though. Either way it looks awesome.
Jgoal55
Active member
Oh i see what your saying.....I thought you meant to have it mounted outside....
What you're saying would be pretty cool. I dont know though....well see.....for now most of my time is going to be spent stocking this thing and then figuring out the rest of the controllers features (ie - email alarms, remote location monitoring, firmware upgrade, etc).
Then maybe ill get back to cutting wood. lol. In other words, it might never happen.
What you're saying would be pretty cool. I dont know though....well see.....for now most of my time is going to be spent stocking this thing and then figuring out the rest of the controllers features (ie - email alarms, remote location monitoring, firmware upgrade, etc).
Then maybe ill get back to cutting wood. lol. In other words, it might never happen.
Jgoal55
Active member
I just realized that this thread has no full tank show with the lights on yet......whoops....Ill try and get one tomorrow.....along with a couple of pics of some new corals I picked up over the weekend in a city about 4hrs from here....
PS - Thanks Sawdustin.....I really, really hate wires!!!
PS - Thanks Sawdustin.....I really, really hate wires!!!
David - Miami
Aquanot!
Which town by the way?
