PVC Mount Board Ideas

[ReefWithCare]

Hi there

So I was inspired by a recent tank pic on the forum showing a mount board

I was thinking I could use white PVC 1/4” to make a mount board. See link

https://m.lowes.com/pd/palight-whit...MI9a2EgbfK4AIVCLXACh2udwNGEAQYASABEgIQgfD_BwE

I had some questions though:

1) Can you cut out holes easily with this and what tool do you use? I have holesaws. Would a multi tool work as well?

2) How do ppl remove the panel when have to replace equipment? I like the setup in the picture but I imagine it’s a nightmare if something breaks and has to be replaced.

3) How much room do ppl have inside the box to hide all the power supplies? This one looks thinner then what I usually see. I want to keep mine thin. My power supplies should be small with only a 40G breeder tank

4) where do you get the hole covers that I see in other pictures. I don’t know what they are called

5) Do you prefer double sided tape Velcro or drilling to mount your equipment? I’ve used Velcro on a prior tank it it seemed to work on wood. Wasn’t sure about PVC.

6) Do you folks worry about corrosion/rust with the setup in the pic? I’m usually block out the water side of the bottom of the tank and keep the electronics in a separate section, but my space is tight with this setup versus my larger ones.

 

[Ron Reefman]

1) Can you cut out holes easily with this and what tool do you use? I have hole saws. Would a multi tool work as well?
Yes, PVC board is actually quite soft.

2) How do ppl remove the panel when have to replace equipment? I like the setup in the picture but I imagine it’s a nightmare if something breaks and has to be replaced.
Good question! I don't have anything this pretty!

3) How much room do ppl have inside the box to hide all the power supplies? This one looks thinner then what I usually see. I want to keep mine thin. My power supplies should be small with only a 40G breeder tank
I guess it depends on how many you have, how warm they get and what kind of ventilation you have.

4) where do you get the hole covers that I see in other pictures. I don’t know what they are called
Can't say since I can't see them.

5) Do you prefer double sided tape Velcro or drilling to mount your equipment? I’ve used Velcro on a prior tank it it seemed to work on wood. Wasn’t sure about PVC.
Velcro should stick to PVC board just fine. IMHO double sided tape makes for a mess if you have to pull something off.

6) Do you folks worry about corrosion/rust with the setup in the pic? I’m usually block out the water side of the bottom of the tank and keep the electronics in a separate section, but my space is tight with this setup versus my larger ones.
I do. And I've had that issue often enough that I put all my electronics and controllers under the tank and made a separate stand/cabinet for the sump/refugium (notice no electronics with the sump except what absolutely had to be there). I'd show you under the tank, but it's an embarrassing mess of controllers, power supplies and wires!