Reef Wiring: Neat or Organized Chaos?

[aznt1217]

Hello Everybody,

I wanted to bring up a topic that I haven't really seen brought up. I'm trying to overhaul my entire set up. With our reef tanks, come a lot of technology... and with that... many... many wires/tubes/everything else for the flux capacitors.

Can you guys post up picture of your set ups and how they are unneatly/neatly tucked? I will post my before shot up when I get home, but let me tell you it's not pretty.

:tongueani- EDITED

So Let's Begin with mine... so from afar, it looks decent.... I would hope at least

What prompted me to think about my wiring again:

Now the problem areas (the organized chaos):

No idea where to even mount these so I have them like this:lol:

Will work on Vortech placement... very uncomfortable with that powerbrick there.

 

[E.intheC]

Ted.. good topic. The main reason why I don't have a lot of organization behind my tank is due to the fact that once you start using zip ties or the plastic tubing-type cable organizers, if you need to unplug them for any reason or disconnect pump for cleaning, for example, it's really tough to get that done.

No one really sees the back of my tank anyway, so I don't worry about it :lol2:

 

[THEDLO]

Ted.. good topic. The main reason why I don't have a lot of organization behind my tank is due to the fact that once you start using zip ties or the plastic tubing-type cable organizers, if you need to unplug them for any reason or disconnect pump for cleaning, for example, it's really tough to get that done.

No one really sees the back of my tank anyway, so I don't worry about it :lol2:

+2 i gave up on the organizing as well im just keep them to the side so no water falls on the power strips....(ive gotten shocked a few times) :shhh:

 

[aznt1217]

I want Pictures!!! But anyway the reason why I bring it up is, sometimes we have wires inside our cabinets for that clean look. This nearly led to a fire... because I didn't wipe salt creep off a refugium light bulb's fixture.

I also bought a ReefKeeper and want to see how everybody integrates ventilation/placement of Vortech drivers, and big power supplys, ballasts, etc.


I am totally going to call out one guy though. Fallen Lordz has the CLEANEST (literally you can eat off his setup). His sump area is spotless, it's insanity.

 

[THEDLO]

I want Pictures!!! But anyway the reason why I bring it up is, sometimes we have wires inside our cabinets for that clean look. This nearly led to a fire... because I didn't wipe salt creep off a refugium light bulb's fixture.

I also bought a ReefKeeper and want to see how everybody integrates ventilation/placement of Vortech drivers, and big power supplys, ballasts, etc.


I am totally going to call out one guy though. Fallen Lordz has the CLEANEST (literally you can eat off his setup). His sump area is spotless, it's insanity.

sorry im away from the home office, tonight i have a pick up.

 

[Wes]

I try to keep it as neat as possible with cable covers, wiring duct, zip ties, etc. Here is my lighting/controller wiring...

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[aznt1217]

Damn that set up would be ideal. Apartment living sucks. Hard to have a split like that. Moar moar!

 

[THEDLO]

I try to keep it as neat as possible with cable covers, wiring duct, zip ties, etc. Here is my lighting/controller wiring...

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

WOW very nice set up Wes. very clean. do u have heat problems cause the sump and stuff is in the garage? i know my garage gets hot around this time of year.

 

[Wes]

WOW very nice set up Wes. very clean. do u have heat problems cause the sump and stuff is in the garage? i know my garage gets hot around this time of year.

Thanks. I have a big chiller for the summer and big heater for winter.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[THEDLO]

Thanks. I have a big chiller for the summer and big heater for winter.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

nice!

 

[aznt1217]

Updated Starting Post.

 

[seldin]

Aznt,

Your quest for clean setup for wires, was something I had tried to do. My idea was to use 1/2 the laundry closet behind the display tank. One problem, is that some wires are not long enough. For instance, my dual controller for heating and A/C is in not long for the temp controller. Also, my ATO, that is attached to the sump underneath, has a power brick, that I could not hide behind closet.

So what I ended up doing is to place as much equipment in closet, but no where near what I like.

Now for my nano.... I ended up being able to place all equipment in stand beneath tank, except for the water bucket, that hides to the side. However, while the wires are placed underneath stand, it is only zip tied, and I could not figure out how to make it neater, even though all wires are hid well. What I did, was cut a large hole in back of stand, to add to ventilation.

I look forward to more pictures of good setups.

 

[Aquabacs]

this is what is in the fridge:

new plumbing in the fridge done over the weekend

Still need to wrap a few more wires but everything is kept relatively organized.

Mike

 

[aznt1217]

DUDE! I can totally EAT OFF YOUR SET UP.

Holy crap bravo* lol

 

[Aquabacs]

Thanks! One of the age old tricks of keeping your spouse happy with this addictive hobby. Keep it neat!

Mike

 

[JimmyR1rider]

My little rinky dink 65G wiring and not so good sump shots

 

[DrHarryLopez]

My little rinky dink 65G wiring and not so good sump shots

Fancy wiring bro!

 

[aznt1217]

THAT'S RINKY DINKY?


Damn... I gotta step my game up. I hope to do it soon. Once I swap my sump out

 

[JimmyR1rider]

THAT'S RINKY DINKY?


Damn... I gotta step my game up. I hope to do it soon. Once I swap my sump out

Thanks harry and aznt- compared to some setups on here it is a little rinky dink thingy lol

Oh by the way aznt- I mounted my IC ballasts by screwing a 1x1 to my stand, slid the bottom edge with the mounting screw holes in between the stand and the 1x1 then tightened down the strip. It holds them great- solid with no problems- Since yours are on the outside you could also put a strip up top too and itll definately be as solid as you ever need and will get them off the floor or do the same which would put them on the inside and not seen either way was a solution I came up with thats thankfully worked out great for me.

 

[reefs4life]

This is my setup, try to keep it neat but still not happy with it. The sump is 120gallons if anyone is wondering lol