Controller board idea/suggestions! Let's see those controller boards!

[Gumbies R Us]

I recently got an apex over the holidays and I am just now getting around to setting it up (busy recently and didn't know how to get it mounted in my tank). I have it setup inside my tank right now but im not 100% pleased with how it looks in there. That is why I'm asking all of you. How does every one have their apex (or other controller) setup in their tank? Let's see some ideas, suggestions and your controller board!

 

[tbrown]

I have been adding on to my Hydros system. My spot in the stand is only 8" wide so my wife came up with an ingenious way. It's kinda redneck engineering but we used a wire shelf. Now, once all the controllers are mounted (I think at full build out I have 6 plus the XP8 power strip) I also have room for hangers for my testing and cleaning equipment.

I haven't taken any pictures yet because I just put the wire shelf in yesterday and haven't had a chance to route the wires and hang the controllers yet.

 

[drtechno]

The first two are from my basement fishroom and the last one is underneath my tank upstairs. The controller boards for me are a blessing as it gives me a way to manage all the cords and prevent a giant power cable mess. You can see from the DOS controller board just how messy things start getting once you start running tubing in the front, let alone all the connector and power cables. You can check my build thread or just ask if you have questions

 

[Brisk]

I left room for the Maven and maybe X10 and/or dosers.

 

[tsharpe291]

very nice, I need to get some of those low profile extension cords

 

[Gumbies R Us]

The first two are from my basement fishroom and the last one is underneath my tank upstairs. The controller boards for me are a blessing as it gives me a way to manage all the cords and prevent a giant power cable mess. You can see from the DOS controller board just how messy things start getting once you start running tubing in the front, let alone all the connector and power cables. You can check my build thread or just ask if you have questions

Did you diy your board or buy them premade?

 

[Üter]

I chose to modify a bathroom cabinet. turned the shelf vertical to mount to and left the back off.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Let's see your controller boards/cabinets!!

Let's get a new thread going to show off your controller boards/cabinets! Hopefully this will be a place where people show off what they've done and others can get lots of great inspiration! Let's see 'em!!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Captcrunch8181]

I am currently building my controller board myself. Love to see some more ideas. I am using mostly hydros and I am looking for a flush mount look. I am mounting my on a black acrylic sheet and they will be screwed down from the back. I am currently working on how I will cut the holes where the wiring will go.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I am currently building my controller board myself. Love to see some more ideas. I am using mostly hydros and I am looking for a flush mount look. I am mounting my on a black acrylic sheet and they will be screwed down from the back. I am currently working on how I will cut the holes where the wiring will go.

That board is looking great so far! It'll look good on a black acrylic sheet

 

[Üter]

I am currently building my controller board myself. Love to see some more ideas. I am using mostly hydros and I am looking for a flush mount look. I am mounting my on a black acrylic sheet and they will be screwed down from the back. I am currently working on how I will cut the holes where the wiring will go.

don't forget where to put all the power bricks.

 

[Captcrunch8181]

don't forget where to put all the power bricks.

Not sure if your familiar with the hydros Kracken but it's a big power supply that replaces all your power bricks. So not many bricks weighing down my system

 

[chapter7]

I am currently building my controller board myself. Love to see some more ideas. I am using mostly hydros and I am looking for a flush mount look. I am mounting my on a black acrylic sheet and they will be screwed down from the back. I am currently working on how I will cut the holes where the wiring will go.

@Captcrunch8181 I made a similar DIY cabinet and was gonna use black acrylic initially as well but got spooked by everything I read about cutting acrylic! Yours looks pretty cool. Was the acrylic easy to cut? What tool did you use, just a jigsaw?

 

[chapter7]

@Gumbies R Us Mine is Hydros, not Apex, but maybe it'll help you with some ideas. Pretty straightforward I think, I explored just buying premade ones like the the Adaptive Reef, but it would take two of them to fit everything so I said why not, let's make my own, the cost is less also. Since I was ordering 8020 for my light frame, I went ahead and ordered the pieces for my controller cabinet too, 30 series btw. It's still a mess and not yet functional, but it's getting there and I'm pretty happy with it ....... I also left room for Big Foot, aka Maven!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@Gumbies R Us Mine is Hydros, not Apex, but maybe it'll help you with some ideas. Pretty straightforward I think, I explored just buying premade ones like the the Adaptive Reef, but it would take two of them to fit everything so I said why not, let's make my own, the cost is less also. Since I was ordering 8020 for my light frame, I went ahead and ordered the pieces for my controller cabinet too, 30 series btw. It's still a mess and not yet functional, but it's getting there and I'm pretty happy with it ....... I also left room for Big Foot, aka Maven!

I love the swinging cabinet design of yours! I ended up getting an adaptive reef one for mine though, haha

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

My HYDROS organization is 3D printed MultiBoard! I have some controllers in the stand, and a lot on the outside on a CoralVue Controller Board.

 

[chapter7]

I love the swinging cabinet design of yours! I ended up getting an adaptive reef one for mine though, haha

Those are nice. Wish they would make one twice the size though! Any pics of how you mounted everything?

 

[chapter7]

My HYDROS organization is 3D printed MultiBoard! I have some controllers in the stand, and a lot on the outside on a CoralVue Controller Board.

CLEAN.

 

[n2585722]

Those are nice. Wish they would make one twice the size though! Any pics of how you mounted everything?

Is this one large enough for you? I built it myself though. This is in my garage behind my workbench.

 

[chapter7]

Is this one large enough for you? I built it myself though. This is in my garage behind my workbench.

That should suffice! Nice.