Show off your wiring/cable management

Brew12 · Sep 14, 2016

Ok, as a brand new reefer here is how I set up my electrical. This is on a hinged panel inside my stand to make it easier to get to the valves behind it. No life in the tank yet but that should change this weekend.

If you look at the 4 plugs currently connected to the EB 8, they are pigtails that go to the GFCI outlets. Outlets 1 and 2 go to my heaters (top 2 outlets), 3 goes to my sump return pump, and 4 will go to my skimmer. The VorTech MP40's (I have 2, but one wouldn't reach) will not be plugged into the EB 8.
Heater 1 (primary) is set to maintain 75 degrees. The Apex will not turn the outlet on unless the temperature is below 77F and turns it off at 79F.
Heater 2 (backup) is set to maintain 70 degrees. The Apex will not turn the outlet on unless the temperature is below 73F and turns it off at 79F.

By doing it this way I have a separate GFCI for each electrical component that is submerged in my sump. A single ground fault will not take out more than the one failed device. Long term I plan on plugging in an indicator light visible outside my stand to quickly indicate if I have a tripped GFCI. And yes, I do have a ground probe installed in my sump.

Since my lights and powerheads are not in the water I have decided not to put those in a GFCI. The powerheads will eventually be powered from a battery backup system that will keep them running for at least 5 hrs if I have a power outage.

Bob Escher · Sep 14, 2016

Broadfield said:
Well, I consider mine pretty bad cable management, but I have been doing high-end car audio installation for the last 23 years... so my standards are ultra high. With that being said, I imagine mine is actually pretty decent for the reef world... but I just haven't found the time to make mine how I really want it. Here are some pics of the right side of my stand:

IMG_4008 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4995 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4994 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_5282 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_5972 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

This is so so sick ( I mean beautiful) it's georgeous. Did you Velcro the power supplies to the wall as well. Gee instead of my nephew coming to see you maybe I ought to hire you to make me a stand for my apex.
My sits inside of my stand next to the sump with plexiglas between them. Wiring? Forget it I got it all messed up. I do have it setup on a separate board which is fairly arranged. My biggest issue is space inside of the stand. It 22 in wide but my sump is 18 in and with everything on the board not much room left

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work

Bob Escher · Sep 14, 2016

Brew12 said:
Ok, as a brand new reefer here is how I set up my electrical. This is on a hinged panel inside my stand to make it easier to get to the valves behind it. No life in the tank yet but that should change this weekend.

If you look at the 4 plugs currently connected to the EB 8, they are pigtails that go to the GFCI outlets. Outlets 1 and 2 go to my heaters (top 2 outlets), 3 goes to my sump return pump, and 4 will go to my skimmer. The VorTech MP40's (I have 2, but one wouldn't reach) will not be plugged into the EB 8.
Heater 1 (primary) is set to maintain 75 degrees. The Apex will not turn the outlet on unless the temperature is below 77F and turns it off at 79F.
Heater 2 (backup) is set to maintain 70 degrees. The Apex will not turn the outlet on unless the temperature is below 73F and turns it off at 79F.

By doing it this way I have a separate GFCI for each electrical component that is submerged in my sump. A single ground fault will not take out more than the one failed device. Long term I plan on plugging in an indicator light visible outside my stand to quickly indicate if I have a tripped GFCI. And yes, I do have a ground probe installed in my sump.

Since my lights and powerheads are not in the water I have decided not to put those in a GFCI. The powerheads will eventually be powered from a battery backup system that will keep them running for at least 5 hrs if I have a power outage.

Yours is beautifully sick as well
Thanks for sharing

imustbenuts · Sep 15, 2016

Definitely getting some great ideas. great job all!

ethridge78 · Oct 30, 2016

Great job guys gives me some ideas for my new build.

Nano101 · Nov 1, 2016

I only have a 12g nano, but I think my equipment is nicely hidden above and below

Tanggirl12 · Nov 1, 2016

Work in progress, more to come

KingBlingTX · Nov 1, 2016

Brew12 said:
Ok, as a brand new reefer here is how I set up my electrical. This is on a hinged panel inside my stand to make it easier to get to the valves behind it. No life in the tank yet but that should change this weekend.

If you look at the 4 plugs currently connected to the EB 8, they are pigtails that go to the GFCI outlets. Outlets 1 and 2 go to my heaters (top 2 outlets), 3 goes to my sump return pump, and 4 will go to my skimmer. The VorTech MP40's (I have 2, but one wouldn't reach) will not be plugged into the EB 8.
Heater 1 (primary) is set to maintain 75 degrees. The Apex will not turn the outlet on unless the temperature is below 77F and turns it off at 79F.
Heater 2 (backup) is set to maintain 70 degrees. The Apex will not turn the outlet on unless the temperature is below 73F and turns it off at 79F.

By doing it this way I have a separate GFCI for each electrical component that is submerged in my sump. A single ground fault will not take out more than the one failed device. Long term I plan on plugging in an indicator light visible outside my stand to quickly indicate if I have a tripped GFCI. And yes, I do have a ground probe installed in my sump.

Since my lights and powerheads are not in the water I have decided not to put those in a GFCI. The powerheads will eventually be powered from a battery backup system that will keep them running for at least 5 hrs if I have a power outage.

Where can you find these type of cable conduits? (or whatever they're called!)

mattsreefadise · Nov 1, 2016

Couldn't find a good way to mount these dang Cerebra bars.
Went with two storage benches from Wollyworld.works great.

Bluefish9 · Nov 1, 2016

Its called panduit. You can find it on amazon, ebay etc.

Brew12 · Nov 2, 2016

KingBlingTX said:
Where can you find these type of cable conduits? (or whatever they're called!)

Bluefish9 said:
Its called panduit. You can find it on amazon, ebay etc.

+1 This... or at least it's what it is commonly called in industry since Panduit is the company that is most commonly associated with it. Kinda like Kleenex for facial tissues.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com...=1478088565&sr=8-21&keywords=cable+management

revhtree · Nov 2, 2016

Nice job!

spartanman22 · Nov 2, 2016

Nano101 · Nov 2, 2016

spartanman22 said:

fancy!

Bluefish9 · Nov 3, 2016

spartanman22 said:

Nice. Where did you find white panduit?
Or did u paint it?

spartanman22 · Nov 3, 2016

I bought it white. It's more of a cream color than truly white. I got it off of eBay.

Bluefish9 · Nov 3, 2016

Good for you! Man, I looked and looked but couldn't find it. Settled on grey.

spartanman22 · Nov 3, 2016

I'm pretty sure you can get it online from Home Depot as well. It's labeled as furniture grade PVC.

revhtree · Nov 3, 2016

Very well done!

Michael pugh · Mar 24, 2018

so new guy here and as an industrial electrician having a neat and easily workable cable management is something "wired" into me *wink wink*

I wanted to do an electrical cabinet on a budget so it's not completely amazing and has flaws but when someone comes by I want them to see not just the tank being amazing but the equipment also has the sense of detail and craftsmanship.

the cabinet isn't done yet due to waiting on last minute pumps and other pieces of equipment but here's what I have so far.

everything still needs to be mounted and dust vacuumed but will update it as the build progresses

any tips or tricks are more the welcomed