Tank with Most Cords Hidden?

[VR28man]

Sorry to be suddenly spamming the equipment forum..... I'm trying to plan out some details of my future tank.

Is it really hard to hide most of the power cords, etc. involved in a tank in the stand? This is one condition for the Mrs. agreeing to the (55-gal+ 15 gal sump; corner overflow - tank will be 48x16 LxW) tank in our apartment, so it's important.....

I plan to have a peninsula style tank, 1-2X kessil lights (which might lead me to get a canopy to conceal the gooseneck and wire). Also in the tank will be the Maxspect Gyre and a Seneye (if I go that route).

In the stand, I plan for a sump (skimmer and return pump would be the main electrical , the plumbing from the overflow to the sump, the ATO, algae reactor, and the controller (IfI get an apex instead of the seneye - head unit, gyre module, kessil module, pH/temp/sal. probes, probably leak detection, automatic feeder, eventually vodka dosing and activated carbon, and maybe the neptune ATO - I'm on the fence about this apex setup, but that's for another thread. + the 6 plug power bar)

I plan for the peninsula style stand to have a compartment on the narrow side nearest the wall, to conceal the power strips, control equipment, etc. behind the tank.

Does this sound like something that can be easily hidden in the stand, with maybe only 1-2 visible cords coming out to the wall?

Thanks!

 

[Broadfield]

One easy method is to make a divider wall between the sump and your electronics. All of the cables that come from the sump will pass through the divider wall and into an area dedicated for the electronics, modules etc. The easiest thing is to make a false wall of sorts, with the modules on the face of it. Then have holes, with grommets, for the cords to pass through to a hidden area behind. All of your power bars, Apex power bar if you do an Apex etc, can sit behind the false wall. You can make the panel hinged so it folds out of the way for access to the stuff behind it. Here's my temporary setup I did when I first set up my tank.

The sump on the left side and my electronics on the right side:

IMG_5972 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4008 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

The middle panel would fold up and the bottom panel was simply pressure fit into place, so it could easily be removed to gain access to the hidden area behind:

IMG_5021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4995 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4994 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Then I got crazy with it when I did my non-temporary setup lol:

IMG_6030 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Control Center by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_6039 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

 

[Maacc]

Broadfield's is 1000% nicer than mine. I will eventually wood skin the stand but this at least tames the wires.

 

[VR28man]

Thanks, gents.

Toby, your setup is a true inspiration. Seriously, that's awesome planning, organization, and dedication. Since I'll be getting a custom stand, I'm going to part it out like that.

[jealous] There's no way it stays that clean and neat all the time [/jealous]

Maac, yours is great too, and it shows a lot of thought and planning. . Are those cord organizers available at Lowes/Home Depot?

 

[Maacc]

It's panduit, not available at home depot but only 2 days away on Amazon prime.

 

[litenyaup]

Love those setups

 

[hart24601]

Wow those are amazing...

If you don't wanna go that full on you can just get a little cabinet to go alongside, or mine is behind, the tank. The one in the link below is much larger than what I use, mine was cheap from walmart, but it gives the idea. You can put it next to the stand and pass the cables unseen (along with doser lines) into the sump.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80100190/#/10251451
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90354129/

 

[Kyle Sicard]

One easy method is to make a divider wall between the sump and your electronics. All of the cables that come from the sump will pass through the divider wall and into an area dedicated for the electronics, modules etc. The easiest thing is to make a false wall of sorts, with the modules on the face of it. Then have holes, with grommets, for the cords to pass through to a hidden area behind. All of your power bars, Apex power bar if you do an Apex etc, can sit behind the false wall. You can make the panel hinged so it folds out of the way for access to the stuff behind it. Here's my temporary setup I did when I first set up my tank

What happens when you have to service and clean equipment? I would imagine its PITA to take all that apart to muriatic acid bath or vinegar soak the equipment. Either way it looks like its worth it. That's some great work?