Pretty Gear? How important is it for you to have your equipment "look good?"

[revhtree]

We've all seen those beautiful reef tanks, perfect aquascapes, clean glass, colorful corals and fish and not to be outdone, an amazing equipment section to go with it! The wiring is managed precisely, the sump is spotless, the equipment is arranged to be aesthetically pleasing. I love it myself, but I also wonder how many of us really care to have equipment or an equipment area that looks as good as the actual display tank. Well as much as possible at least. Let's talk about it!

How important is it for you to have your equipment and equipment area "look good?" I'm talking neat, clean, as well as gear that is pleasing to look at.

Show off your equipment area with a photo!

image via @Broadfield

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

I like the life support systems to be visually appealing, but it doesn't have to be perfect- definitely not OCD.. but I do like an open stand, as I find the sump area just as interesting as the display tank in many cases

 

[vetteguy53081]

Although I like my equipment clean and maintain it as such I’m more concerned with performance

 

[Reef and Dive]

I voted OCD, but let me say not really look good. I’m OCD about them looking clean and working perfectly well. Not at all worried about fancy looking, just about a precise maintenance…

 

[New&no clue]

Nope, I am not that person; that's why it is under the stand or far away in the basement

 

[Bpb]

Neat, just like anything in the house. Function is of the utmost importance. Form just needs to fall in line with the look of a clean home. I am in the reef keeping hobby, not the reef gear collecting hobby. I care more about how the inside of the tank looks. A modest “engine room” with mismatched plumbing colors is perfectly acceptable. So long as wires and gear aren’t laying around everywhere

 

[Cu8ano]

The organization isn’t needed but boy does it make a statement when it’s clean. For me I love having things clean and organized.

 

[ScubaFish802]

My latest setup is still 'new'.. but really working to keep things looking clean this time

 

[Mschmidt]

Tidy is calmer to look at and easier to navigate. But what will be will be.

 

[jdpiii3]

So much easier to work on and show off when it clean

 

[Sumo Reef]

The organization isn’t needed but boy does it make a statement when it’s clean. For me I love having things clean and organized.

This setup is now my goal. You don't even need cabinet doors with a setup like this. So simple, yet so effective. Nice work!

 

[Sumo Reef]

@Cu8ano build thread????

 

[Cu8ano]

This setup is now my goal. You don't even need cabinet doors with a setup like this. So simple, yet so effective. Nice work!

Thanks! I’ve personally always loved the open stand design. Much easier to work in the sump and be able to see if something is off or wrong

 

[Cu8ano]

@Cu8ano build thread????

Tang Reefs

The thread to rule them all! But seriously, I’ve started 2 different build threads in which I completely let go over time and gave up on both. So this time I figure I’ll try something different and just photobomb you with my builds, the progress, and all coral goodness I can share. Hope you enjoy!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Clownreef]

Very important

 

[Fishy888]

I voted other because right now the name of the game is to get equipment that works well and doesn't require a second mortgage. As time marches on and funds become available I intend to upgrade. I want my equipment to look neat at the very least however.

 

[w8lifts]

OMG so many pretty sumps lol I’m 100% opposite…behold my chaos under the tank…

 

[ChrsFrssll]

Equipment should look invisible.

 

[exnisstech]

Don't care here. Display is tidy. Everything else is in my unfinished basement and it is scary to look at. Clip on lights hanging over the water, wires everywhere, etc. Nice thing is it doesn't bother me and I have no reefing buddies and we don't entertain so no one sees the mess but me and my Gal.

This is how I roll

 

[Toob]

I like the life support systems to be visually appealing, but it doesn't have to be perfect- definitely not OCD.. but I do like an open stand, as I find the sump area just as intersting as the display tank in many cases

What are those cool big tongs you've got there? Want!!