Hate, Hate, Hate All These Wires :(

[JumboShrimp]

Just venting here, as I prepare to rearrange my end-board to make my gear look somewhat tidy again. But even with a 'simple' FOWLR like mine, these dang wires add up fast!!

2 AI Blades (lighting) = 2 plugs
External skimmer = 2 plugs
Inkbird/heater = 2 plugs
3 stand alone Gyres = 3 plugs
1 main return pump = 1 plug

... so nothing fancy or excessive, but factor in all the cables and it's a jungle.

 

[56longroof]

Thats nothing. You should see my mess. LOL

 

[t5Nitro]

At least you don't have to perform gymnastics and stick the landing when you walk by that.

I'm sure we have a lot of pseudo gymnasts and limbo champions on the forum. Comes with the hobby.

edit: I wish I had better cable management too!

 

[The_Bro]

Wire mold is a great invention to easily manage cables. I like this kind Amazon

 

[exnisstech]

That's not bad
This is one tank with a mess at each end. One is hidden in a corner and the other I can just close the door and not see it so I just ignore it. I do try to keep stuff off the floor tho I tried using raceways like mentioned above but having to fish wires out when needed was too much trouble.

 

[RobynR]

I use hook and loop cable ties instead of zip ties and some have tape on them to secure the bundle to the stand or cabinet or whatever. Does not reduce the amount of cords, but keeps them better controlled. All purchased from Amazon, they come in many colours, so you can match cords or cabinets.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Early off, mine did not look too bad, i used PVC pipe holders to keep wiring in check and off the floor

 

[sgdnycct]

Following! Would love some ideas!

 

[KrisReef]

When I first attempted to solve this issue I ran a seperate breaker and double circuit that ended right at the easiest location on the wall below the tank and just above the sump. It worked like a charm for a few years, but one day I found that the salt creep had gotten out of hand and I still don't know why the electricity kept flowing while the GFI protected receptical burned?

I raised it all where I can see it, and don't sweat the chord maze anymore.

 

[The_Bro]

Hah this thread made me curious. I just stuck my phone behind my tank and snapped a picture. I cant see back there but this is what the pic looked like.
I'm OCD so what I can see is very organized

 

[Euphyllia098]

I've designed and 3d printed wire holders for everything, because as others mentioned raceways are a pain when changing things.

It's no small task. I've got probably 200+ hours into it. You still end up with excess wire because every wire is a different length. So what I did was design a compartment into my stand that is just excess wire.

The beauty of the wire holders is that you can pull things in and out very easily.

I'm not done, but close.

In total I've got 23 things plugged in.

 

[GSPClown94]

Just venting here, as I prepare to rearrange my end-board to make my gear look somewhat tidy again. But even with a 'simple' FOWLR like mine, these dang wires add up fast!!

2 AI Blades (lighting) = 2 plugs
External skimmer = 2 plugs
Inkbird/heater = 2 plugs
3 stand alone Gyres = 3 plugs
1 main return pump = 1 plug

... so nothing fancy or excessive, but factor in all the cables and it's a jungle.

Horizontal drip loops?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Yes, I'll make sure.

 

[GSPClown94]

Yes, I'll make sure.

I think they should be vertical not horizontal.

 

[UncommonSense]

Woven nylon split cable sheathing is your friend!

 

[higher99]

Hah this thread made me curious. I just stuck my phone behind my tank and snapped a picture. I cant see back there but this is what the pic looked like.
I'm OCD so what I can see is very organized

Relatable

 

[painter1982]

Here’s my mess. I just got my eshopps m130 going. Had to go back to work. The wiring is this weekend’s project. I have a cabinet for all the equipment. The hole in my wall will have an access panel. I installed 2 electrical outlets just for aquarium use. Added a cat6 cable for the apex. RO and awc all plumbed in. Next year maybe I’ll put the sump in the basement.

 

[reely989]

Thats nothing. You should see my mess. LOL

I was thinking the same thing lol

 

[The_Bro]

Just when you think your the most OCD you get out OCD'ed Euphyllia098 WINS!
But that is honestly awesome, and prob the best cable management I have ever seen!

 

[Euphyllia098]

Just when you think your the most OCD you get out OCD'ed Euphyllia098 WINS!
But that is honestly awesome, and prob the best cable management I have ever seen!

Thanks I appreciate it.

I'm not lying when I say I've got 200 hours into it. I've spent countless hours thinking, designing, printing, changing the design and printing again. But this is my "final" build so I wanted to make everything as best as I could with what tools I have.

The design of this build started in June