Need some help with electrical/wire set up

[ocd_mariner]

When I first set up my tank, I had put everything under the stand. I didn't like that because of moisture/electrical plugs

I moved everything to the back of the aquarium, hanging on the wall. While being much safer, it looked horrible.


If *any* of you have set your tank up cleanly, wires hidden, nice accessible power strips, easily accessed controls, etc. please post a pic and volunteer to help me

 

[commonstranger]

Chuck my wife actually help me on this one. She doesnt normaly do anything with the tanks. I did the same thing you did and got shocked a time or two.(What fun!!) I got a 12 outlet strip and the idea my wife gave me was those velcro strips that you can attach to the wall. The ones that peel off and dont hurt the sheet rock. Make sure you get the one that are the dense type of velcro that looks like plastic pieces. You'll see what Im talking about if you go shopping for them. I didnt think it would hold but I put six of the on the back of the power strip and stuck it to the wall on the opening of the back of the tank. Water cant get to it this way and the wires are wound up and twist ties used on them. It looks alot neater and I know its safer. Just an idea and I wish you the best.

 

[NeveSSL]

My setup is fairly simple, but I'm willing to help.

When are you doing it?

Brandon

 

[waynesworld]

Put them on the back wall and use a curtain to hide them.

 

[DMBillies]

I'd love to see what you end up with because frankly this is a big pet peeve of mine. Aside from where/how you mount them, the big problem I always had was getting long enough wires on everything to make the runs for them without having to run powerstrips.

I'm a big fan of side cabinets and I saw someone who built a electrical panel to incorporate GFCI's and to allow quick flip switches for his AC controller ports (which is really nice for avoiding having to manually switch them through the interface). I've wanted to build one but it is going to require a lot of work (lots of wires) and cost quite a bit (outlets, switches, box for running switches). I'm convinced that if I can just get rid of the power strips, splitters, etc. I'll have about half of the stuff to clean up as I normally would.

 

[NeveSSL]

Definitely, Brian.

The clutter is why I'm going to do my best to have a "tank room" behind my next tank if it is AT ALL possible. Then I can simply have a breaker box in there that feeds everything through the wall. I have a good friend of mine who is awesome with construction type stuff (he built himself a very nice music studio... floating control room, built the furniture, everything) so I'm planning on having him show me some things.

This is probably at least 2 years down the road, though. I'll get there... I'll get there...

Brandon

 

[ocd_mariner]

Man, a tank room would be so sweet. Wayne, I appreciate the suggestions but you're zigging when Im thinking about cleanly zagging

I can actually move my stand now, so Im going to position it where I have a little bit more room on the right side. My idea is a small cabinet 2.5 feet tall max. The front will be inset a bit with two dj strips mounted flush on either side. The aquacontroller will be flush as well as the liter meter. Wave controllers and the dc8 will just be mounted inside the cabinet, which will open from the top (and have an open back). In the front I plan on making a swing open door (think glass on an entertainment center) that can be opened and closed to hide things from the prying fingers of a 1 year old.

I've got the idea pretty firmly in my head, just gotta build it now.


Hopefully it turns out better then the frog ashtray I made in 9th grade art class.

 

[scottkel]

Chuck - i am thinking about the same thing... I am going to build a small "box" that will match my stand and have 2 dj switched inside. i think i may build in a little larger to house my 3-250w ballasts as well and perhaps add a fan in the side wall. We will see.

I have already ordered the 2 dj strips.

Scott