Cable Management Thread

[willbache]

Hey all! Currently setting up my first true reef tank (beyond a basic tank with VERY limited electronics) and I am a bit overwhelmed with cables and wires! I want everything to look sleek and organized, so hiding the wiring as best possible is a must. Between all the various controllers, power supplies, probes, and sensors it seems never ending. My thoughts are to buy plastic conduit and paint them an accent color, run all the wiring through them, and attach them to walls of my cabinet in whatever way looks best to me at the time. Has anyone used conduit for this before? It really limits my ability to add anything in or work on existing wiring, so that's my major concern. Anyway, show me what you did to organize your cabinet/sump! I'm open to ideas and looking for inspiration!

 

[mariano]

I got my tank a few months ago and i hated the mess with the cables, what i did was build a custom sized box that fit the right side under sump, i made a few holes and added 2 extensions inside the box. That way all the cables are hiding inside the box and i have easy access to the controllers. It costed me about 40 bucks to build it, and it was a quick home depot run to get all the materials.

 

[Harpo]

very nice

 

[edsbeaker]

So jealous!!! My cables are a mess.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I got my tank a few months ago and i hated the mess with the cables, what i did was build a custom sized box that fit the right side under sump, i made a few holes and added 2 extensions inside the box. That way all the cables are hiding inside the box and i have easy access to the controllers. It costed me about 40 bucks to build it, and it was a quick home depot run to get all the materials.

That is a really clean looking setup!

 

[willbache]

I got my tank a few months ago and i hated the mess with the cables, what i did was build a custom sized box that fit the right side under sump, i made a few holes and added 2 extensions inside the box. That way all the cables are hiding inside the box and i have easy access to the controllers. It costed me about 40 bucks to build it, and it was a quick home depot run to get all the materials.

Wow, super clean! I really like this idea. It's a lot more subtle than the addition of conduit I was considering.

 

[willbache]

I got my tank a few months ago and i hated the mess with the cables, what i did was build a custom sized box that fit the right side under sump, i made a few holes and added 2 extensions inside the box. That way all the cables are hiding inside the box and i have easy access to the controllers. It costed me about 40 bucks to build it, and it was a quick home depot run to get all the materials.

Hey, I noticed your reefmat and wanted to see how you like it? I have been considering switching to one, but a few people I have talked to said the smell is rather distinct and my tank is in my living room. Thoughts on yours?

 

[mariano]

Hey, I noticed your reefmat and wanted to see how you like it? I have been considering switching to one, but a few people I have talked to said the smell is rather distinct and my tank is in my living room. Thoughts on yours?

My tank is also sitting in my living room! And there is 0 smell !!. I love the reefmat, is so much easier to clean than filter socks. The rollers only last me 2-3 weeks due to my feeding habits, i feed 3 times a day. I definitely recommend it.

 

[Johnd651]

Working with a 15 x 15 foot print only, that was part of my plan today. We shall see how it turns out.

 

[danreef55]

Hey all! Currently setting up my first true reef tank (beyond a basic tank with VERY limited electronics) and I am a bit overwhelmed with cables and wires! I want everything to look sleek and organized, so hiding the wiring as best possible is a must. Between all the various controllers, power supplies, probes, and sensors it seems never ending. My thoughts are to buy plastic conduit and paint them an accent color, run all the wiring through them, and attach them to walls of my cabinet in whatever way looks best to me at the time. Has anyone used conduit for this before? It really limits my ability to add anything in or work on existing wiring, so that's my major concern. Anyway, show me what you did to organize your cabinet/sump! I'm open to ideas and looking for inspiration!

Take a look at this line labeler https://www.bradyid.com/label-print...MIherb1_vMhgMVjk1HAR2fTAB1EAQYASABEgKKtPD_BwE

 

[Atoll on me]

Mine isn't nearly as clean as marianos, but I found a power strip with individual switches and some cheap cable wrap really helps

The temp in the tank is 78, not 82

 

[willbache]

My tank is also sitting in my living room! And there is 0 smell !!. I love the reefmat, is so much easier to clean than filter socks. The rollers only last me 2-3 weeks due to my feeding habits, i feed 3 times a day. I definitely recommend it.

Great to know! I'll add it to my wish list to get as I have extra for upgrades (new baby coming this week so who knows when that will be!)

 

[It’s the Grim Reefer]

Did you (or anyone else) have any good solutions for cable management of wave makers? I used to have wave makers on back wall but wasn’t happy with flow. I’ve since moved them to the sides and the flow is way better but now my cables just dangling in the water. Before I had a kid it was fine but now they need to run to the back to go through the gaps where the lights stands sit.

I hate how ugly this looks with the cable hanging in the water like this? Open to any suggestions or ideas on how to make this work.

PS. I had a couple stick on cable clips to the back wall of the tank to tidy it up but the adhesive gave out and they just came off

 

[Johnd651]

Did you (or anyone else) have any good solutions for cable management of wave makers? I used to have wave makers on back wall but wasn’t happy with flow. I’ve since moved them to the sides and the flow is way better but now my cables just dangling in the water. Before I had a kid it was fine but now they need to run to the back to go through the gaps where the lights stands sit.

I hate how ugly this looks with the cable hanging in the water like this? Open to any suggestions or ideas on how to make this work.

PS. I had a couple stick on cable clips to the back wall of the tank to tidy it up but the adhesive gave out and they just came off

I wonder if the suction cup Christmas light holders might work?

 

[BasementBox]

Look. Some people’s cable management is going to be a stunner. Some a hot mess. It took me a year but I did this - sometimes practicality and zip ties are just as effective. Don’t need to break the bank to control a rat nest

 

[dangles]

Use Velcro wraps for bundling cords together NOT zip ties. Zip ties are nice and clean but they make it a pain in the butt if you have to replace something or if you need to remove it for cleaning or something.

Split sleeve cable wraps are great too.

https://a.co/d/cFigiwS

…as are cable clips

https://a.co/d/3LM9W7Z

 

[It’s the Grim Reefer]

I wonder if the suction cup Christmas light holders might work?

Good call and worth a shot!

 

[JCOLE]

Did you (or anyone else) have any good solutions for cable management of wave makers? I used to have wave makers on back wall but wasn’t happy with flow. I’ve since moved them to the sides and the flow is way better but now my cables just dangling in the water. Before I had a kid it was fine but now they need to run to the back to go through the gaps where the lights stands sit.

I hate how ugly this looks with the cable hanging in the water like this? Open to any suggestions or ideas on how to make this work.

PS. I had a couple stick on cable clips to the back wall of the tank to tidy it up but the adhesive gave out and they just came off

These can be your friend if the wire is the right size

https://a.co/d/hvfDmzf

 

[It’s the Grim Reefer]

These can be your friend if the wire is the right size

https://a.co/d/hvfDmzf

Yeah, this is the ticket. Thanks for the shout. I’ll get some of these and let you know how it goes!