electrical and switches

[happy_valley]

hello everybody,

im starting a 75 gallon aga and custome stand build, and was wondering if anyone could help link me to an easy but effective site for electrical mumbo-jumbo!?!?

i would really like to install some plug-ins and maybe a switchboard (like i've seen so nicely done in ur stands) to make my trips away from home easier on my wife lol.

well feel free to pm me or posts will be greatly appreciated.

thanx a million,

happy_valley

[funman1]

Sounds like you need a conroller if you plan to be away.
Just switches prolly won't help the wife out...

I run my tank on a controller that does EVERYTHING except add food at night.. So that's al my wife has to do while I'm away...

[happy_valley]

AH I SEE! HEHE well what is the best controller i need start investing my cash into? my buddy has his hog (oink oink, pink fatties, also eat them as ham,bacon, etc etc LMAO) setup on control he can call to check stuff...know of any for aquatics?

please post and let me know how well ur experiences have been with yours=)

thanx a mill, later all

[J.russell]

If you still want switches also, check into an American DJ board.

I have one mounted in my stand and dont have to climb under the stand or reach to turn stuff on and off.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Tank036.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Fish-Tank-005.jpg

[insacron]

Happy,

There are a few options out there as far as controllers are concerned.

Neptune Systems - http://www.neptunesys.com/
This controller is very popular with people on this board, look around and you'll find many people using it, but they come with a hefty price tag if you're looking for something that can notify you of problems you'll probably want the AC3 Pro which starts at $500 for just the unit.

Digital Aquatics - http://www.digitalaquatics.com/
Another popular unit that I've seen a few people using, not as popular (that I've seen) as Neptune, but doesn't have as high of a price tag either. (The Elite system is $490 but it comes with an outlet controller and temp probes.)

Elos - http://www.eloseurope.com/
Beautiful. I happen to love these controllers, but could never justify spending the... like $1800 to buy one.

I'm not going to recommend one over the other, because I don't have one yet. I'd recommend researching yourself and finding which best does what you're looking for.

Then there's the DJ switcher ... $29.95 from Guitar Center.

[DaveMorris]

http://www.thetechnologygroup.net/sitebuilder/images/Electronics-480x495.jpg

Here is my Reefkeeper Elite setup, along with an ozone generator and heater controller. I am very happy with the RKE unit.

[happy_valley]

WOW!! i cant thank you all enough for the great pix and advise on you experience!

J.russell-i love the though of those switches to save clutter and easy access, so yeah im gonna go with those forsure ;-) thanks a ton for that ( just what i was thinking) except how was setup it looks pretty simple?


insacron-the neptune system seems very nice aswell. I might have to make the wife by that one though, since its for her use of course! lol

DaveMorris- wow that is one heck of a setup you have there. did you attach all of your equipment to plywood then mount it up or how exactly because that looks GREAT!!!

thank you for helping me with my nubizm LMAO

surely in time i'll get there.

my next problem comes this winter with power outages....hurts my head to even think bout it but i gotta get ready for that!


later all and i'll be posting my build thread soon in the newtohobby forum, so keep posted and anymore advise let 'r' rip...


thanx,

happy_valley

[J.russell]

Plug the Dj board into the wall and whatever you want on switches into the back of it. Thats it man.

[J.russell]

Im sure it could look neater than it is right now but Im still in the process of getting everything right.

Looks good from the front.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Fish-Tank-047.jpg

Not so good from the bottom...haha.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Fish-Tank-046.jpg

I even have my timer plugged into one of the switches that I just leave on. This way when my MH is on, the fan is blowing in my sump and when the MH goes off so does the fan. When those go off the light for the fuge comes on and in morning time, the opposite happens :)

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Fish-Tank-045.jpg

[Giga]

just be carefull russel those power center timmer strips are know to cause fires.

[J.russell]

The coralife ones?

Damn I didnt know that :( I need a timer like this though. Any other suggestions?

[Donw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13290801#post13290801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J.russell
The coralife ones?

Damn I didnt know that :( I need a timer like this though. Any other suggestions?

Yes, they have issues. Personally I'd remove it and use a regular plug in timer.

Don

[J.russell]

Wow! Ok thanks guys!

[Pbrown3701]

for misc electrical stuff, there is no better site (IMO) than www.mouser.com

[Giga]

for timers I recommend the outdoor heavy duty(I like overkill=safe then sorry)timer from Lowes. Simple and very effective