Being in California and having AC and solar enough to run it whenever, the "chiller cabinet" on my Red Sea 525XL is really my equipment and electrical cabinet. Right now, it's a bit of a mess (no pics - suffice to say; it's ugly in there).
So I had the (not uncommon) idea to organize it some. I've seen - and liked - other ideas out there and would likely be happy to have them, but one thing I'm hoping for is easy (or easier) access to the things down in there - be they electronics or supplies. To that end, I think a pull-out would be ideal as it would allow me easy access to everything in the cabinet; not just the stuff in the front. It would also mean I don't have to hunch over to see everything mounted in the cabinet.
Here's the working sketch:
What you're seeing here is the pull-out without the front face. So the "right" side is really the front and would attach to the current door (which would have it's hinges removed). All of the pieces are 3/4" laminated shelf board. Everything would be secured using either through-screws (when such would not be visible - such as the back and bottom panels) or else pocket-hole screws. The cable holes would be covered with desk organizers.
The drawer slides would mount to the lower side panels and would support up to 100lbs (according to the package). They are the full-extension type, so pretty much all of the drawer would be exposed if/when needed.
The top section would be my electronics box. It's open in the back for increased airflow (I may mount a fan in the top near the front to pull air in) and to allow cables to exit with ease. The side facing would have a hole cut out so that I could mount my switch array; the back side would be closed.
The facing shelf on the bottom would hold all the bits and bobs - my test kits, dried food, etc. I may end up adding dividers to keep things organized (the cabinet is on the right, so this puts most of the stuff I need within easy reach). Any electronic controllers (such as for pumps or power heads I don't yet have) would mount to the top center panel. A towel-rack would hang on the underside of the electronics box.
The far side (which is a mirror to the near one) would hold my dosing containers - currently BRS 2-part 1gal jugs. The dosing pumps would mount to the center panel, with the tubes exiting out the hole.
The dimensions of the drawer (which my wife - who did the drawing above - ran off with to compare to the cabinet) are such that there will be a bit of space in the back for anything that doesn't need to be pulled out; LED power converters, for example, will be mounted to the existing cabinet walls in the back. Any cables/tubes that are part of the cabinet will be secured to both the cabinet and the drawer so that they aren't tugged on when the drawer is pulled out.
When I eventually get an Apex unit, my plan would be to reduce the height of the electronics box and mount all the Apex pieces to the top of the drawer. I'd likely reduce the current electronics box (which has about 5" of internal height) down to an inch or two - just enough for cables to pass through out the back. All that is still TBD as I'm not sure yet when that will happen. Plan for tomorrow, but build for today...
SO. Thoughts? Suggestions? Cautions? I will, of course, be documenting this build here on R2R. ;-)
So I had the (not uncommon) idea to organize it some. I've seen - and liked - other ideas out there and would likely be happy to have them, but one thing I'm hoping for is easy (or easier) access to the things down in there - be they electronics or supplies. To that end, I think a pull-out would be ideal as it would allow me easy access to everything in the cabinet; not just the stuff in the front. It would also mean I don't have to hunch over to see everything mounted in the cabinet.
Here's the working sketch:
What you're seeing here is the pull-out without the front face. So the "right" side is really the front and would attach to the current door (which would have it's hinges removed). All of the pieces are 3/4" laminated shelf board. Everything would be secured using either through-screws (when such would not be visible - such as the back and bottom panels) or else pocket-hole screws. The cable holes would be covered with desk organizers.
The drawer slides would mount to the lower side panels and would support up to 100lbs (according to the package). They are the full-extension type, so pretty much all of the drawer would be exposed if/when needed.
The top section would be my electronics box. It's open in the back for increased airflow (I may mount a fan in the top near the front to pull air in) and to allow cables to exit with ease. The side facing would have a hole cut out so that I could mount my switch array; the back side would be closed.
The facing shelf on the bottom would hold all the bits and bobs - my test kits, dried food, etc. I may end up adding dividers to keep things organized (the cabinet is on the right, so this puts most of the stuff I need within easy reach). Any electronic controllers (such as for pumps or power heads I don't yet have) would mount to the top center panel. A towel-rack would hang on the underside of the electronics box.
The far side (which is a mirror to the near one) would hold my dosing containers - currently BRS 2-part 1gal jugs. The dosing pumps would mount to the center panel, with the tubes exiting out the hole.
The dimensions of the drawer (which my wife - who did the drawing above - ran off with to compare to the cabinet) are such that there will be a bit of space in the back for anything that doesn't need to be pulled out; LED power converters, for example, will be mounted to the existing cabinet walls in the back. Any cables/tubes that are part of the cabinet will be secured to both the cabinet and the drawer so that they aren't tugged on when the drawer is pulled out.
When I eventually get an Apex unit, my plan would be to reduce the height of the electronics box and mount all the Apex pieces to the top of the drawer. I'd likely reduce the current electronics box (which has about 5" of internal height) down to an inch or two - just enough for cables to pass through out the back. All that is still TBD as I'm not sure yet when that will happen. Plan for tomorrow, but build for today...
SO. Thoughts? Suggestions? Cautions? I will, of course, be documenting this build here on R2R. ;-)
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for a better slide then the big box store sells. Great idea
East coast here
