DIY Control Board

[Alaska209]

I’m attempting to build a DIY aquarium controller board using an old pedestal-style fish tank stand. The stand will house the controllers and power supplies, and I’m planning to add ventilation openings.

For anyone who has built something similar, would you recommend installing a cooling or exhaust fan, or are ventilation openings usually enough?

 

[Fish Fan]

Honestly, I'd suggest nothing

With that said, ventilating your electronics is an excellent idea, especially if your ambient air runs warmer than mine.

I have a 25 gallon tank built in to an unusual corner space in our downstairs. I built an even smaller cabinet than yours to house my electronics and I was quite concerned about ventilating the electronics cabinet. In the end, I found that the cabinet never rose over 80 F, monitored with a temp probe and my Robo-Tank controller. Cooler would be better for electronics, but I don't think this temp is that bad.

Point of my story, I'd check your temps in your cabinet before going through the trouble of adding ventilation.

Here's some pics of my setup; I thought I had better, but in these pics my electronics cab is on the right, behind the tank. It looks smaller than yours and so far I've not had any problems with heat.

Good luck!

 

[Alaska209]

Honestly, I'd suggest nothing

With that said, ventilating your electronics is an excellent idea, especially if your ambient air runs warmer than mine.

I have a 25 gallon tank built in to an unusual corner space in our downstairs. I built an even smaller cabinet than yours to house my electronics and I was quite concerned about ventilating the electronics cabinet. In the end, I found that the cabinet never rose over 80 F, monitored with a temp probe and my Robo-Tank controller. Cooler would be better for electronics, but I don't think this temp is that bad.

Point of my story, I'd check your temps in your cabinet before going through the trouble of adding ventilation.

Here's some pics of my setup; I thought I had better, but in these pics my electronics cab is on the right, behind the tank. It looks smaller than yours and so far I've not had any problems with heat.

Good luck!

I appreciate the feedback.