How do you manage your cords?

[LeslieS]

I have cords everywhere! I left enough room between my tank and wall to build a cabinet to hide some of the mess and store supplies. Before I get started, how do you guys manage all the cords, power strips, and outlets?

 

[House of Laughter]

I try everything possible to reduce the cords by investing in products that do the job of maybe 2 or 3 I have in the tank - perfect example - 2-3 powerheads, etc, I replaced with A Tunze or a Seio - that's 3 chords to one cord. Same with heaters, misc. lights etc

Otherwise, I clamp them up with cable ties and zip ties so they don't get all jarbled up - make sure you label them well and leave your zip ties loose enough to get the plug through the hole.

House

 

[drunktank]

label the cords near the plug and then ziptie it all together. But since my tank is 6ft, the cords arent that bad b/c i have two power stripes at each end.

so the moral of the story, get a bigger tank

 

[simike]

anybody know where to get these power strips that have switches to turn off each individual outlet( so you can shut off each item for maintance or feeding)
like the ones that used to sit under computer monitors that shut off all items??

 

[inline6]

anybody know where to get these power strips that have switches to turn off each individual outlet( so you can shut off each item for maintance or feeding)
like the ones that used to sit under computer monitors that shut off all items??

You mean like this?
Sorry but the company I got these from is no longer in business.

 

[pecan2phat]

They are called DJ Light Controllers.

This is where I bought a few. $20 + shipping and they are close (Ohio) so shipping is usually fast.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chauvet-PC08-8-Channel-DJ-Lighting-Light-Controller_W0QQitemZ260010278056QQihZ016QQcategoryZ29942QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[masterswimmer]

Warren, I've got two of those. They are made very cheap (hence the price). I've already got two switch/outlets that crapped out on me.
When they work, they work great. When they go bad, it could be real bad, depending upon which outlet dies, and what you've got plugged into it.

swimmer

 

[pecan2phat]

Thanks for the info Russ.

I've been using two of these controllers for about 19 months and so far, so good.

 

[simike]

russ any other options

inline, off topic is it alright to plug you mh into a non grounded timer like you have??

 

[masterswimmer]

No prob W. I was lucky, one of the two that died I had my MH's plugged into. The other one was a powerhead. No biggie on either of them. It could have been a heater (in the winter) or skimmer or topoff pump. Any one of a number of different things could be bad.

R

 

[masterswimmer]

russ any other options

Mike, As bad as it is, I'm still using it :banghead: There are other more expensive ones on the market (making an assumption here that it is better because of price, but no experience with it) that might work better.

Do I hear GB?

swimmer

 

[scarf_ace1981]

Warren, I've got two of those. They are made very cheap (hence the price). I've already got two switch/outlets that crapped out on me.
When they work, they work great. When they go bad, it could be real bad, depending upon which outlet dies, and what you've got plugged into it.
swimmer

i agree w/ you 100%. i bought two of those units and i think one or two switches don't work.


leslieS- zip ties are your friend.

 

[alrha]

hardware stores often have different size "moldings" that you can run your wires through so you dont see them. they also have all sorts of bends and angles to direct them as you want.

 

[masterswimmer]

hardware stores often have different size "moldings" that you can run your wires through so you dont see them. they also have all sorts of bends and angles to direct them as you want.

Albert, I believe you're referring to 'raceway'. Those will only run a single cord in them. When there's an 'octopus' behind your tank, raceway wouldn't be easiest solution. These kits incorporate cable ties and mounting clips (cheaper directly from HD 'ala carte').

swimmer

 

[House of Laughter]

Leslie,

keep in mind these gizmos are only as good as your ability to spend the time organizing, labeling and channeling your wires - it can look just as good if the time (and mind) is right for "wire management" with the cost being mere pennies.

Good luck,

House

 

[LeslieS]

House, I LOVE organizing!

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i was at lowes this wekend and they 1.5" "raceway". you could easily fit 3-4 thin cords in there.

 

[alrha]

you can always just tie them up neatly with electrical tape.

 

[Psycho graphic]

You can buy colored velcro wire wraps for computer cables cheaply. Easy to do and undo as needed. I think Belkin makes them.

 

[reefman]

I use wire looms. http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/