Looking for some ideas on a Control Board for my APEX!

FLSharkvictim · 12/11/2016, 04:17 PM

Would to see some shots on how you mounted your modules and your apex controller and other equipment, like your pump controller, skimmer controller etc etc.?

I found a few custom built control boards online that unbelieveable..

Tank Info:
120 Mixed Reef
Apex Classic Controller
Ecotech M1 pump
Skimz 163 DC Montzer Series skimmer
Custom sump / Refuge
2 TUNZE Turbelle Nanostream 6055's
2 AI Hydra TwentySix HD LED Fixtures
Celestial C35W Maxspect Refuge Spotlight
Aqua UV Ultraviolet Sterilizer 25w
BRS Dual Media reactor
Eshoops IV Master & Slave Doser
Tunze 3155 Auto Top Off

Coral Info:
SPS: Solomon Island Tort Frag
SPS: Super Green Acro / Colony
SPS: Deepwater Echinata Acro / Colony
SPS - 2 - Galaxia Frags
SPS - Stylophora sp. ReefGen Milka Stylo Frg
SPS - two Acropora / Brown
SPS - Acropora / Millepora Green Millie
SPS - Acropora / Dark Green
LPS - Torch Coral / Green
LPS - Hammer Frag / Green
LPS - FropSpawn Frag
LPS- Favia Coral Green
4 Orange Sponges
LPS - OctoSpawn
LPS - Frogspawn

shifty51008 · 12/12/2016, 03:14 AM

I don't have anything to show but I do love how you mounted your apex stuff, that yellow/orange outline really brings it out. Great job

Broadfield · 12/13/2016, 02:37 PM

My original layout was a quick, temporary solution until I found the time to do my master plan. This is my original setup:

IMG_4008 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

The middle panel is hinged and the lower panel is pressure fit. So when I remove the lower panel and hinge the middle panel to a horizontal position, it gives me access to all of my power related items:

IMG_5282 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

I very recently ripped it all and installed my final plan... which are the two pictures you referenced to:

IMG_7108 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_8001 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_7979 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_8019 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

jacksonpt · 12/13/2016, 03:20 PM

I still have a little wire clean-up to do, but you get the idea...

Gorgok · 12/13/2016, 08:10 PM

All done with wire cleanup... you get the idea.

But as i have a web interface to the control i don't really need to get under there ever. Thankfully. Its a mess.

activecactus · 12/13/2016, 08:48 PM

Broadfield- love it! Reminds me of car stereo setups.
I should clean up my rats nest one day.

y4ngel · 12/14/2016, 08:07 AM

That looks insane.

00101 · 12/14/2016, 11:29 AM

I'd love to do something that nice, but as it is I barely have room to put a panel with a space behind for wiring in my reefer 170 stand

y4ngel · 12/14/2016, 02:14 PM

Anyone have anything more basic?

cincyjim · 12/14/2016, 03:10 PM

I've been kicking this around myself. I have a couple of ideas that I'm working out in my head which would be to use a dart board cabinet or a double sided medicine cabinet. These may not work for you but it's a couple of things to think on.

jacksonpt · 12/15/2016, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y4ngel

Anyone have anything more basic?

Mine, posted above, is just a scrap piece of wood I had laying around and some plastic wiring grommets like you might find in the top of a desk.

rmchoi · 12/15/2016, 08:43 AM

Having equipment neat and organized looking is a big part of the hobby for me. My first reef tank, I had all pieces of equipment mounted, wires tied and hidden. Why even put doors on the stand after making it look OEM : )

Its all great until you have to change out a piece of equipment! I don't know what was worse; the disruption to the order or the time to remove, replace and restore to the way it was. I had enough after doing this a few times.

I was inspired by seeing a stand build by nanotopia. She had all her wires behind a control board, placed at the top of the stand where it was easily viewable and accessible. I have seen boards mounted everywhere, but not at the top of the stand. This made so much sense!

On my next build, I used this idea. A shelf at the upper part of the stand to hold all the wires and unsightly stuff, loosely. Doors that open to access that area. Controllers mounted on the door fronts.

This has really worked out well. It made easy to remove or add any equipment. It made maintenance or upgrades simple, yet still satisfied the "neat and orderly" compulsion.

One disclaimer; this only works if you go with a slightly taller stand. My tank is in a common area where I view standing much of the time. Its still low enough to work in a sit down setting.

Here are some random pictures.

You can see a 1" gap below the doors for wire connections to the controls.

The doors open give access to loose wires and transformers. The shelf is not connected to the back panel. It stops short to drop wires below.

I ended up mounting several Apex modules on the backside of the doors. I like to see them, but there was no functional reason to display them. This hides a lot of cords and transformers plugged into 2 Apex EB8's. There is also room for 2 Ecotech back up batteries and light transformers.

There is a build thread on this stand in this same DIY forum.

jacksonpt · 12/15/2016, 09:29 AM

I like that concept A LOT. I have a fairly standard stand, but I don't run a skimmer so I have some extra headroom available. I may have to do some measuring...

Nice job!

Jah2707 · 01/07/2017, 01:47 PM

So.. Not an apex but simple way to organize.

Sent from my LG-H631 using Tapatalk

FullBoreReefer · 01/07/2017, 05:42 PM

Everyone's apex setup looks great, nice work people!

Puts my rats nest to shame. Good thing mine is hidden in my fish room haha

neilp2006 · 07/12/2019, 10:50 AM