Show us your controller boards!

DmitryB · 2026-07-05T13:33:44-0400

It is time for me to set up a controller board for my IM 40 and start thinking about a controller board for my upcoming IM 170. So I'd love to see - and I think many people would - all your controller boards! Whether you bought pre-made boards or made your own. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the equipment I have - 170 will be running Apex, which I bought piecemeal from reefers here - and there are so many things that I'm just ahhhhhhhhhhh!

IM 40 is easier because there is less equipment, but I'm still not sure what should go where and seeing other people's boards can be very educational.

I bought an Adaptive Reef controller board for the 40 gallon, but still deciding what to do for all the Apex+ stuff I'll need for 170. (Apex + Tunze oscillating Turbelle + MP 40 + ReefWave 45 & 25 (that's a lot of flow... I may need to rethink this) + lights + ATO + heater + skimmer + refugium + media reactor + return pump + UV + I can't remember what else). What do people include on the board with Apex running things and what can be left off. And do I get one of the Adaptive Reef panels (or cabinet) or Octoaquatics has a nice-looking board. It's a lot!

So let's see your boards and how did you decide what should go where and what shouldn't go anywhere!

Reef Jedi · 2026-07-05T13:38:28-0400

doesn’t look like it but it took a full 8 hours to get it looking like this. For me it was all about limited space and organizing all the excess wires.

DmitryB · 2026-07-05T14:23:10-0400

Holy smokes! That's an Adaptive Reef (XL deluxe or whatever model?) How big is it? What did you not include on the board that there's a controller for?

Also, I wonder if it's easier to do that whole set-up before all the equipment is running?

exnisstech · 2026-07-05T14:40:38-0400

DmitryB said:
Also, I wonder if it's easier to do that whole set-up before all the equipment is running?

Absolutely do as much as possible before filling the tank. I just filled a new tank and did as much work in the stand as possible before even setting the tank on top. I flipped the stand on its side so I could mount LEDs on top without having to crawl around inside like a contortionist lol. Im a fan of doing as much as possible as far as gear and running wires before filling the tank.
I was too cheap to splurge for an adaptive reef panel and diyed something put of 1/2" hdpe but it's laughable compared to many I've seen

. Fortunately what little OCD I have is crooked pictures on the wall so stray wires don't bother me.
It's still a work in progress ans I'll probably make side covers of some type. It the most organized job of wiring I've ever done

My dosing container will sit on the shelf and my ATO container is in the basement so I don't need the cabinet space for anything else.

jonelder68 · 2026-07-05T15:05:55-0400

DIY’ed mine

danreef55 · 2026-07-05T15:17:54-0400

DmitryB · 2026-07-05T16:09:08-0400

These are all great!

I want to try and get my hands on a DC Buddy too. They are sold out.

BriDroid · 2026-07-05T16:49:14-0400

Mines not fancy at all, but it is functional. I really wish I had room under my stand. My wiring is a mess!

jabberwock · 2026-07-05T16:56:30-0400

BriDroid said:
Mines not fancy at all, but it is functional. I really wish I had room under my stand. My wiring is a mess!

DmitryB · 2026-07-05T17:55:50-0400

I think functional is at least 75% of what it's for!

n2585722 · 2026-07-05T19:04:58-0400

Here is my two boards that are not in the stand. The first one is in the garage at my mixing station. I have replaced the pumps on the right since the photo with a Minnow, Blenny and Sole dosing pump controllers. otherwise it has not changed too much I have removed the Digital Aquatics modules since the photo also. The second photo is the one next to the tank. I have added a X3-S controller under the X10 on the left. I also have a WEv2, XP8, XS and X3 mounted in the stand. I also have a Launch and a XD that are on the work bench in the garage and have not been mounted yet.