Running cables and ATO line through the wall, into a closet

cody6766 · 09/14/2018, 12:55 PM

I'm wanting to use the power in my coat closet to run my tank, and also keep my ATO in there. I have one wall to pass through and am looking for a good plate to put on both sides. I don't want to use one of the ones that opens upward/downward and I'd like to be able to work my vortech controllers through, if possible. I know that's a pretty big hole, so that's definitely a negotiable goal.

wrott · 09/14/2018, 03:03 PM

Just use a hole saw bit and call it done. What do you want it to look like?

Misled · 09/14/2018, 04:43 PM

Get two steel blank plates, drill a one inch hole in each, put a one inch grommet in each hole, good to go.

Member No. 1 · 09/15/2018, 06:58 AM

A pass thru wall plate. Lowe’s and Home Depot sell them.
This one might be big enough for the MP controller. If not you can always open the controller, disconnect the wet side, then pass the cable thru.
https://www.google.com/search?q=pass...2_oGahgQLPypM:

cody6766 · 09/15/2018, 09:23 AM

That kind of pass through is what I'd like to avoid. I think that it will be harder to pull the wires through, unless I do it with the plates off, then attach after (the likely COA). I also think it would be pretty tight with the ATO line and 6 other wires passing through.

I was hoping for something more like Jesse's suggestion, just a little more elegant and less DIY...however, I'm not scared of a hole saw. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some solution found in the community that I missed with a quick Google search. I'll likely end up with something like this, so I can put a blank on it in the future

Diana A · 09/15/2018, 09:48 AM

A plate like this?

mako61 · 09/15/2018, 03:34 PM

This is what I did for a couple lines through the wall. Very easy Im not the best handyman.

cody6766 · 09/16/2018, 12:12 AM

I think that's the direction I'll be going. I didn't think about separating the Vortech lines. I think that will make life a whole lot easier.

Here's to hoping the Air Force doesn't move me in less than 4 years. I'd like to enjoy my holes in the walls for a bit.

2_zoa · 09/18/2018, 10:03 PM

I used regular old aquarium bulk heads. They come in a variety of sizes. The pvc pipe holds the two together and serves as a simple pass through. I bought the slip x slip versions. I can post a pic tomorrow if you want

2_zoa · 09/18/2018, 10:10 PM

Here, I got up off my backside and just snapped a pic

I’m doing the same thing. I ran all my cables and power into a closet that abutts the wall my tank is on. My ProfiLux and top off reservoir with my dosing container of kalkwasser is all in the closet. I control my outlets for maintenance through my touch screen mounted beside the tank.

homer1475 · 09/19/2018, 04:40 AM

I have the same thing, a coat closet behind my tank that has my ATO, DOS and reservoirs, and a majority of the electronics.

I was lucky as I just removed a small chunk of baseboard(3 inches) behind the tank and pushed all the wires through it and under the actual wall. When I move the tank it's a simple matter of a couple nails and no one will ever know.

WGardiner · 09/19/2018, 09:11 AM

Buy a whole saw and pvc pipe that are the same size. I did that years ago in my first home, worked great.

homer1475 · 09/19/2018, 10:15 AM

Just reread the OP,

Your vortech's are easy to get through a hole. Just unscrew the 4 screws on the controller, then unplug the cable from the board. It's a simple cable plug on the main board. Run cable, reconnect, put screws back in.

Member No. 1 · 09/19/2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

Just reread the OP,

Your vortech's are easy to get through a hole. Just unscrew the 4 screws on the controller, then unplug the cable from the board. It's a simple cable plug on the main board. Run cable, reconnect, put screws back in.

Hmmm... Why didn't I think of that!

homer1475 · 09/19/2018, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

A pass thru wall plate. Lowe’s and Home Depot sell them.
This one might be big enough for the MP controller. If not you can always open the controller, disconnect the wet side, then pass the cable thru.
https://www.google.com/search?q=pass...2_oGahgQLPypM:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

Hmmm... Why didn't I think of that!

Ha just saw it!

cody6766 · 09/19/2018, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the info, guys. Fortunately, the people that built this house did the right think and caulked all of the base boards. Unfortunately, that means that they don't just pop off the wall to build a pass-through. I'll have to go with the brushed pass throughs I mentioned above.

Thanks for the tips on the vortechs. That will make life a lot easier when I start plumbing in the next few days.

09/14/2018, 12:55 PM	#1
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	Running cables and ATO line through the wall, into a closet I'm wanting to use the power in my coat closet to run my tank, and also keep my ATO in there. I have one wall to pass through and am looking for a good plate to put on both sides. I don't want to use one of the ones that opens upward/downward and I'd like to be able to work my vortech controllers through, if possible. I know that's a pretty big hole, so that's definitely a negotiable goal. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

09/14/2018, 03:03 PM	#2
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Just use a hole saw bit and call it done. What do you want it to look like? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

09/14/2018, 04:43 PM	#3
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	Get two steel blank plates, drill a one inch hole in each, put a one inch grommet in each hole, good to go. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

09/15/2018, 06:58 AM	#4
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	A pass thru wall plate. Lowe’s and Home Depot sell them. This one might be big enough for the MP controller. If not you can always open the controller, disconnect the wet side, then pass the cable thru. https://www.google.com/search?q=pass...2_oGahgQLPypM: __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

09/15/2018, 09:23 AM	#5
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	That kind of pass through is what I'd like to avoid. I think that it will be harder to pull the wires through, unless I do it with the plates off, then attach after (the likely COA). I also think it would be pretty tight with the ATO line and 6 other wires passing through. I was hoping for something more like Jesse's suggestion, just a little more elegant and less DIY...however, I'm not scared of a hole saw. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some solution found in the community that I missed with a quick Google search. I'll likely end up with something like this, so I can put a blank on it in the future __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

09/15/2018, 03:34 PM	#7
mako61 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 359	This is what I did for a couple lines through the wall. Very easy Im not the best handyman. __________________ Thanks, Mako Current Tank Info: Returning Reefer - Red Sea 525XL, Mitras LX7s, Apex, check homepage for vids of tank

09/16/2018, 12:12 AM	#8
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	I think that's the direction I'll be going. I didn't think about separating the Vortech lines. I think that will make life a whole lot easier. Here's to hoping the Air Force doesn't move me in less than 4 years. I'd like to enjoy my holes in the walls for a bit. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

09/18/2018, 10:03 PM	#9
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	I used regular old aquarium bulk heads. They come in a variety of sizes. The pvc pipe holds the two together and serves as a simple pass through. I bought the slip x slip versions. I can post a pic tomorrow if you want

09/19/2018, 04:40 AM	#11
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I have the same thing, a coat closet behind my tank that has my ATO, DOS and reservoirs, and a majority of the electronics. I was lucky as I just removed a small chunk of baseboard(3 inches) behind the tank and pushed all the wires through it and under the actual wall. When I move the tank it's a simple matter of a couple nails and no one will ever know. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

09/19/2018, 09:11 AM	#12
WGardiner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cape Coral, Fl Posts: 242	Buy a whole saw and pvc pipe that are the same size. I did that years ago in my first home, worked great.

09/19/2018, 10:15 AM	#13
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Just reread the OP, Your vortech's are easy to get through a hole. Just unscrew the 4 screws on the controller, then unplug the cable from the board. It's a simple cable plug on the main board. Run cable, reconnect, put screws back in. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

09/19/2018, 09:07 PM	#16
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	Thanks for the info, guys. Fortunately, the people that built this house did the right think and caulked all of the base boards. Unfortunately, that means that they don't just pop off the wall to build a pass-through. I'll have to go with the brushed pass throughs I mentioned above. Thanks for the tips on the vortechs. That will make life a lot easier when I start plumbing in the next few days. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI