How do you organize all those dang wires???

Tswifty · 05/15/2008, 02:00 PM

Right now I just have your regular old powerstips sitting behind my tank. I want to get them up and away from the back of the tank and possibly house everything in a small cabinet on the wall.

Anyway, I'm looking for ideas here... How do you keep all your wires nice, neat, and organized.

I'm thinking something like this right now:

Thoughts? the red is just PVC to run the wires through.

psteeleb · 05/15/2008, 02:14 PM

I woud hate for you to see my under cabinet work as it's an electrical nightmare. Now that I have all the parts and pieces I'll be reworrking it using light panels, some DIY cords/plug in units and cord hold downs. I may use some PVC but want to avoid any potential water traps or salt creep traps that won't be easy to see and clean.

My build log has some pictures of what I did and used on the top side of the tank and my overall electrical schematic. there may be some things there that give you some ideas. Aslo go to Melev's site, he has some good ideas on the PVC use etc.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1320654

http://www.melevsreef.com/power_system.html

HTH

Tswifty · 05/15/2008, 02:28 PM

Thank you for the link... I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading it tonight... I noticed the bubble trap already from my quick scan, and may pick your brain about it some. I run a filter sock on my skimmer output but feel like it will become a hastle over time, and am looking for something other than a glass baffle trap.

Here's my build if you would like to browse or add any thoughts. I'm just getting to the fun part of adding livestock now

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1310919

sjj80 · 05/15/2008, 03:07 PM

I keep mine organized by labeling each plug. It really comes in handy when you need to unplug something, especially in an emergency.

Capt_Cully · 05/15/2008, 03:07 PM

Old tank.....

New one ain't much better, but I got a system.......

jade76 · 05/15/2008, 03:32 PM

check this out ....Im in the proccess of building my 90 as well, and learning from my previous tanks mistakes..I used to use just outlet strips too untill one fell into my sump one day...but thats another story...here is what ive cvome up with.

I mounted two dj strips ontop of each other in an accessable box..

jade76 · 05/15/2008, 03:34 PM

sorry...I was trying to post this as well...

Tswifty · 05/15/2008, 03:35 PM

Very nice... very clean... I like it a lot.

Ismellikefish · 05/15/2008, 03:57 PM

I just store all my wires in the tank behind the rocks :P just kidding

Zip ties and some DJ power strips like above worked great in cleaning it up.

Tswifty · 05/15/2008, 03:59 PM

Where do you find those powerstrips at?

jade76 · 05/15/2008, 04:30 PM

you can get them at guitar center..or sam ash sells them on line...they're about $30 bucks.

glxtrix · 05/15/2008, 05:02 PM

17.99 here

http://shop.vendio.com/progearwareho.../?s=1210847577

pledosophy · 05/15/2008, 05:15 PM

I have one of those powerstrips on every tank. Makes life so much easier when you have to move stuff around or turn off a pump, or a skimmer, or lights, or any combination there of.

Very cool.

Bambalam · 05/15/2008, 05:22 PM

Wow, thanks for the link glxtrix!

Tswifty · 05/15/2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by glxtrix
17.99 here

http://shop.vendio.com/progearwareho.../?s=1210847577

Awesome... Thanks

hyperfocal · 05/15/2008, 05:39 PM

The problem is made so much worse by companies that put really short power cords on their stuff... and wall-warts. I hate wall warts.

glxtrix · 05/15/2008, 06:07 PM

glad I can help guys

Here is another link. A little more (not much) but they have amazing cust service! Call in the order and shipping I believe will be cheaper

I ordered like 20+ of these for a GB with my reef club and shipping was only 14 bux! These are out standing units and have never had an issue. Pic wont show, but I guarantee they are the same as the american dj ones....just not the american dj name. From what I've heard tho, most of these are all made in the same factory then stamped with different sellers names. At any rate, I've been sing this one and its working awesome!

http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/tb-e107.html

And the power cord on this one is a decent length.

J.russell · 05/15/2008, 06:53 PM

I have a question about the switch centers.

I am going to have a 250w MH, 2 power heads, skimmer, return pump, heater, and a light for the fuge. Is all that safe to plug into one center?

I have a dedicated 20A shunt trip for a outlet just for my tank, nothing else is run on that breaker, but would all that be too much of a load for one of these things?

jade76 · 05/15/2008, 07:08 PM

lee...im consulting you before any of my future purchases.

jade76 · 05/15/2008, 07:10 PM

hey j.russel...these things are onlly rated for 15 amp max...so what I did was plug the actuall strips directly into the wall outlet and the my overhead MH into that. the power strips are are soley used for all my pumps and other equiptment.

glxtrix · 05/15/2008, 07:10 PM

J.Russell, yeah that should be fine.

Jade, any time man, I've been around this game for awhile, i know where a lot of stuff is for a good price

J.russell · 05/15/2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jade76
hey j.russel...these things are onlly rated for 15 amp max...so what I did was plug the actuall strips directly into the wall outlet and the my overhead MH into that. the power strips are are soley used for all my pumps and other equiptment.

Ok thats what I needed to know.

I guess Id be better off pluging my light into the wall then all the other stuff into the power center right? The skimmer and return pump are the only other big elec. things Ill have.

glxtrix · 05/15/2008, 07:36 PM

best thing I've found for MH lights, is a surge suppressor, not protector. You can get them at ace or HD/lowes I believe. Much better than a power strip IMO. Also those strips are 15amp protected , a standard electronic 250W ballast is 2.2 amps....you're good to plug them into there. But as I said, I think the surge suppressor would work better for taking any kind of surges or power loss.

NeveSSL · 05/15/2008, 07:42 PM

They're on eBay pretty regularly, too, FWIW.

VERY nice, Jade76! Love the concept of not having to unscrew them whenever you need to make an adjustment.

Brandon

J.russell · 05/15/2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by glxtrix
best thing I've found for MH lights, is a surge suppressor, not protector. You can get them at ace or HD/lowes I believe. Much better than a power strip IMO. Also those strips are 15amp protected , a standard electronic 250W ballast is 2.2 amps....you're good to plug them into there. But as I said, I think the surge suppressor would work better for taking any kind of surges or power loss.

Gotchya

Thanks.

Im really looking for an easy way to turn my light on and off and these 8 outlet switches looked perfect.

05/15/2008, 02:00 PM	#1
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	How do you organize all those dang wires??? Right now I just have your regular old powerstips sitting behind my tank. I want to get them up and away from the back of the tank and possibly house everything in a small cabinet on the wall. Anyway, I'm looking for ideas here... How do you keep all your wires nice, neat, and organized. I'm thinking something like this right now: Thoughts? the red is just PVC to run the wires through. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

05/15/2008, 02:28 PM	#3
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Thank you for the link... I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading it tonight... I noticed the bubble trap already from my quick scan, and may pick your brain about it some. I run a filter sock on my skimmer output but feel like it will become a hastle over time, and am looking for something other than a glass baffle trap. Here's my build if you would like to browse or add any thoughts. I'm just getting to the fun part of adding livestock now http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1310919 __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

05/15/2008, 03:07 PM	#4
sjj80 Hater of Hair Algae Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 1,098	I keep mine organized by labeling each plug. It really comes in handy when you need to unplug something, especially in an emergency. __________________ 90g, two Korallia 4s, EuroReef RS135 skimmer, trying to upgrade my lighting. Current Tank Info: 90g under rehab!

05/15/2008, 03:07 PM	#5
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	Old tank..... New one ain't much better, but I got a system....... __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

05/15/2008, 03:32 PM	#6
jade76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: atlanta Posts: 166	check this out ....Im in the proccess of building my 90 as well, and learning from my previous tanks mistakes..I used to use just outlet strips too untill one fell into my sump one day...but thats another story...here is what ive cvome up with. I mounted two dj strips ontop of each other in an accessable box.. __________________ my job is to shed light, not to master it. Current Tank Info: 90gal in the works..

05/15/2008, 02:14 PM	#2
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,249	I woud hate for you to see my under cabinet work as it's an electrical nightmare. Now that I have all the parts and pieces I'll be reworrking it using light panels, some DIY cords/plug in units and cord hold downs. I may use some PVC but want to avoid any potential water traps or salt creep traps that won't be easy to see and clean. My build log has some pictures of what I did and used on the top side of the tank and my overall electrical schematic. there may be some things there that give you some ideas. Aslo go to Melev's site, he has some good ideas on the PVC use etc. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1320654 http://www.melevsreef.com/power_system.html HTH

05/15/2008, 03:34 PM	#7
jade76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: atlanta Posts: 166	sorry...I was trying to post this as well... __________________ my job is to shed light, not to master it. Current Tank Info: 90gal in the works..

05/15/2008, 03:35 PM	#8
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Very nice... very clean... I like it a lot. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

05/15/2008, 03:57 PM	#9
Ismellikefish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 271	I just store all my wires in the tank behind the rocks :P just kidding Zip ties and some DJ power strips like above worked great in cleaning it up.

05/15/2008, 03:59 PM	#10
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Where do you find those powerstrips at? __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

05/15/2008, 04:30 PM	#11
jade76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: atlanta Posts: 166	you can get them at guitar center..or sam ash sells them on line...they're about $30 bucks. __________________ my job is to shed light, not to master it. Current Tank Info: 90gal in the works..

05/15/2008, 05:02 PM	#12
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	17.99 here http://shop.vendio.com/progearwareho.../?s=1210847577

05/15/2008, 05:15 PM	#13
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I have one of those powerstrips on every tank. Makes life so much easier when you have to move stuff around or turn off a pump, or a skimmer, or lights, or any combination there of. Very cool. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

05/15/2008, 05:22 PM	#14
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	Wow, thanks for the link glxtrix!

05/15/2008, 05:39 PM	#16
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	The problem is made so much worse by companies that put really short power cords on their stuff... and wall-warts. I hate wall warts. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

05/15/2008, 06:07 PM	#17
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	glad I can help guys Here is another link. A little more (not much) but they have amazing cust service! Call in the order and shipping I believe will be cheaper I ordered like 20+ of these for a GB with my reef club and shipping was only 14 bux! These are out standing units and have never had an issue. Pic wont show, but I guarantee they are the same as the american dj ones....just not the american dj name. From what I've heard tho, most of these are all made in the same factory then stamped with different sellers names. At any rate, I've been sing this one and its working awesome! http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/tb-e107.html And the power cord on this one is a decent length.

05/15/2008, 06:53 PM	#18
J.russell What was I thinking??? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norfolk Va. Posts: 738	I have a question about the switch centers. I am going to have a 250w MH, 2 power heads, skimmer, return pump, heater, and a light for the fuge. Is all that safe to plug into one center? I have a dedicated 20A shunt trip for a outlet just for my tank, nothing else is run on that breaker, but would all that be too much of a load for one of these things?

05/15/2008, 07:08 PM	#19
jade76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: atlanta Posts: 166	lee...im consulting you before any of my future purchases. __________________ my job is to shed light, not to master it. Current Tank Info: 90gal in the works..

05/15/2008, 07:10 PM	#20
jade76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: atlanta Posts: 166	hey j.russel...these things are onlly rated for 15 amp max...so what I did was plug the actuall strips directly into the wall outlet and the my overhead MH into that. the power strips are are soley used for all my pumps and other equiptment. __________________ my job is to shed light, not to master it. Current Tank Info: 90gal in the works..

05/15/2008, 07:36 PM	#23
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	best thing I've found for MH lights, is a surge suppressor, not protector. You can get them at ace or HD/lowes I believe. Much better than a power strip IMO. Also those strips are 15amp protected , a standard electronic 250W ballast is 2.2 amps....you're good to plug them into there. But as I said, I think the surge suppressor would work better for taking any kind of surges or power loss.

05/15/2008, 07:42 PM	#24
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	They're on eBay pretty regularly, too, FWIW. VERY nice, Jade76! Love the concept of not having to unscrew them whenever you need to make an adjustment. Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process