Power Cord Management/Organization

jharding08 · 09/08/2016, 09:36 AM

The last thing I have to do with my new tank setup is eliminate the rats nest that is the mess of cords going in and out of my Apex Modules and EB8.

I have a 6'x2'x2' with room on either side of the sump. in my old 120 I had all modules outside of the tank and then an acrylic cover over all of it. Dosing pumps were inside the tank

I'd like to have all cords secured and out of the way, with any connections easily accessible. Also needs to be away from the water. I'd also like to make it easy to pull a cord out for replacement/cleaning, etc.

List of equipment and connections:
-Apex Module
-EB8 power blocks (Up to 3)
-Apex VDM Module
-Apex PM1 Module
-Apex Breakout Box (2 float switches)
-ATO reservoir with AquaLifter
-Waveline DC6000 /Control box (non apex)
-Tunze 6105 (2)
-AquaMaxx Skimmer
-Heater (2)
-Apex Temp Probe (in probe holder)
-Apex PH Probe (in probe holder)
-Grounding Probe (in probe holder)

I'd love to have another room for all of the interfaces, but I dont. Best I could do is either mount everything to a board inside of the stand or make my own box with the acrylic cover

What does everyone use for securing the cords in an organized manner?

mcgyvr · 09/08/2016, 10:13 AM

IMO.. Plastic Wire Duct (slotted) is my go to for wire organization..
http://www.panduit.com/en/products-a...ts/wiring-duct

dougchambers · 09/08/2016, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

IMO.. Plastic Wire Duct (slotted) is my go to for wire organization..
http://www.panduit.com/en/products-a...ts/wiring-duct

Another vote for Panduit slotted duct! I have it throughout our support room. Works great and is flexible to move wires around.

jharding08 · 09/08/2016, 01:18 PM

Is conduit better than just those loops that attach to the wall or stand?

mcgyvr · 09/08/2016, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharding08

Is conduit better than just those loops that attach to the wall or stand?

Conduit is fine too if thats what you want..
Split loom, slotted wire duct, conduit, wiremold,etc... all are fine..
For this is personal preference.

zachxlutz · 09/11/2016, 11:08 PM

This was my solution. A cabinet next to the tank holds my ATO container, light ballasts, and my reefkeeper elite setup. 3 power bars, two surge protector outlet strips behind the controller board. Still need to build a cord cover for between the stand and the canopy, but I'm really happy with this solution.

jharding08 · 09/19/2016, 10:30 AM

So I had two entertainment centers that we arent using that made the trip. They have glass doors and an extra shelf.

I took the shelf and cut it so it could be fit vertically as a mounting wall for the electronics. Then I cut a hole for wires where it made sense for the electrical component. I screwed the two boxes together to create one movable unit

Top unit has Apex main module, Waveline controller and VDM unit. I am going to put the Apex breakout box there too once I have enough wire to run it from the box to the float switches.

The bottom has two Apex EB8 power units.

There is plenty of room in the back for power adapters, wire ties, etc. I use velcro ties to secure slack wire together.

I purchased adjustable adhesive plastic kwik clips to run the wires. I might use some conduit if it looks better.

09/08/2016, 09:36 AM	#1
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	Power Cord Management/Organization The last thing I have to do with my new tank setup is eliminate the rats nest that is the mess of cords going in and out of my Apex Modules and EB8. I have a 6'x2'x2' with room on either side of the sump. in my old 120 I had all modules outside of the tank and then an acrylic cover over all of it. Dosing pumps were inside the tank I'd like to have all cords secured and out of the way, with any connections easily accessible. Also needs to be away from the water. I'd also like to make it easy to pull a cord out for replacement/cleaning, etc. List of equipment and connections: -Apex Module -EB8 power blocks (Up to 3) -Apex VDM Module -Apex PM1 Module -Apex Breakout Box (2 float switches) -ATO reservoir with AquaLifter -Waveline DC6000 /Control box (non apex) -Tunze 6105 (2) -AquaMaxx Skimmer -Heater (2) -Apex Temp Probe (in probe holder) -Apex PH Probe (in probe holder) -Grounding Probe (in probe holder) I'd love to have another room for all of the interfaces, but I dont. Best I could do is either mount everything to a board inside of the stand or make my own box with the acrylic cover What does everyone use for securing the cords in an organized manner? __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

09/08/2016, 10:13 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	IMO.. Plastic Wire Duct (slotted) is my go to for wire organization.. http://www.panduit.com/en/products-a...ts/wiring-duct __________________ Who me?

09/08/2016, 01:18 PM	#4
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	Is conduit better than just those loops that attach to the wall or stand? __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

09/11/2016, 11:08 PM	#6
zachxlutz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 94	This was my solution. A cabinet next to the tank holds my ATO container, light ballasts, and my reefkeeper elite setup. 3 power bars, two surge protector outlet strips behind the controller board. Still need to build a cord cover for between the stand and the canopy, but I'm really happy with this solution. __________________ Zach's 120 Gallon Reef Resurgence: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2590557 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Display + 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge

09/19/2016, 10:30 AM	#7
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	So I had two entertainment centers that we arent using that made the trip. They have glass doors and an extra shelf. I took the shelf and cut it so it could be fit vertically as a mounting wall for the electronics. Then I cut a hole for wires where it made sense for the electrical component. I screwed the two boxes together to create one movable unit Top unit has Apex main module, Waveline controller and VDM unit. I am going to put the Apex breakout box there too once I have enough wire to run it from the box to the float switches. The bottom has two Apex EB8 power units. There is plenty of room in the back for power adapters, wire ties, etc. I use velcro ties to secure slack wire together. I purchased adjustable adhesive plastic kwik clips to run the wires. I might use some conduit if it looks better. __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew