Control Boards...

[Kcstoker1]

Anybody here build one? The cute, clever things with the holes that hide all the power bricks and cords...

photos? Plans? How do they hang up? (Obviously we need to work behind them, so they need to be moveable...)

what materials worked best for you?
Any other thoughts or insights?

thanks.
Using this through safari on my phone sucks.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Some good ideas in this thread to get you started...

Let's see your controller boards/cabinets!!

Let's get a new thread going to show off your controller boards/cabinets! Hopefully this will be a place where people show off what they've done and others can get lots of great inspiration! Let's see 'em!!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Kcstoker1]

Thanks, Retro. I’ve looked through that but I’ll give it another shot. Mostly, it’s just aesthetics and preferences in the photos and I’m trying to get to the structure questions. I know some people use hinges, for example. Not too many people talking about those. I’ll flip through the thread again and see if I missed anything or if anything is new.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I put one together as cheaply and easily as possible.. lol. I had a old cabinet that I just pulled the door off of and replaced with a panel. No hinges on mine, just 4 short screws that can be removed in seconds with my drill if needed.

bad pictures but gives you a idea of what I did..

 

[Kcstoker1]

Nice. What thickness did you go with for the ply?
I love the index cards. In my head, I’m an engineer. In real life, I’m MacGyver’s kid cousin that licked too many 9volt batteries.

 

[Kcstoker1]

And did you do a coat of Kilz under the black?

 

[amoore311]

I bought mine from Marine Depot lol.

Eazy Peazy

 

[Kcstoker1]

I bought mine from Marine Depot lol.

Eazy Peazy

the whole cabinet?

 

[amoore311]

the whole cabinet?

Nah, it was the board next to my tank you saw this weekend.

The entire cabinets are for sale at BRS now though, break out that wallet though lol.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Nice. What thickness did you go with for the ply?
I love the index cards. In my head, I’m an engineer. In real life, I’m MacGyver’s kid cousin that licked too many 9volt batteries.

Sorry for the delay I didn’t get a notification of your reply.. it’s super thin, I think 3/16” if I remember correctly? I’m also a wannabe engineer ;Hilarious it was my major but life got in the way along with a lucrative job offer so I never finished school. I always try to think through all the possibilities and the index card cut outs gave me an exact visual reference as to how everything would work.. I only licked a 9v once

And did you do a coat of Kilz under the black?

I didn’t prime it, just being cheap and lazy.. lol. I did use a quality enamel and gave it a couple coats so it’s sealed up fairly well. The whole theme for this project was cheap and easy so it’s not some fine piece of furniture but it’s functional and I have maybe $25 and about 2 hours of my time in it.

 

[Chessmanmark]

Chris, Did you go to Rich Durso’s meeting? He had a great cabinet in his fish room that hid all his wires. I‘m home for two weeks now and I‘m backing up a terabyte of storage. After that finishes I‘ll see if I can find the pic. It doesn’t show the back, but it was the first time I saw one.

 

[Chessmanmark]

Here is Rich Durso’s cabinet and Pete’s
circuit board. Finally, if I can attach three pictures is Durso’s 180 gallon tank from that meeting.

 

[Chessmanmark]

Meanwhile, there was lots of solidarity outside as well.

 

[CMurphy]

Anybody here build one? The cute, clever things with the holes that hide all the power bricks and cords...

photos? Plans? How do they hang up? (Obviously we need to work behind them, so they need to be moveable...)

what materials worked best for you?
Any other thoughts or insights?

thanks.
Using this through safari on my phone sucks.

I like PLC's for this reason. Especially for timing control. Lights, pumps, etc.

 

[CMurphy]

Here is Rich Durso’s cabinet and Pete’s
circuit board. Finally, if I can attach three pictures is Durso’s 180 gallon tank from that meeting.

View attachment 1475953 View attachment 1475954 View attachment 1475955

I think I remember this meeting.

 

[Smoke-Town]

Those are pretty high tech. Mine is just a board with a hole in it. Not so cool as those above, but it works for now

 

[mattdg]

Those are pretty high tech. Mine is just a board with a hole in it. Not so cool as those above, but it works for now
View attachment 2610686View attachment 2610687

That is the coziest looking reef, I have ever seen. LOL! Like it.

 

[mattdg]

I built this cabinet for my 120 mixed reef 4 years ago. Worked a control center into the right side. I wanted to make something versatile, since I knew I'd have this reef for a long time. I put a false floor in the bottom that I can pull out to run cables through. Super easy to pull equipment in and out. I have used a system like this for many years, which is why the RK2 is still in service. Keeps everything safe from humidity and splashing.

 

[rhdoug]

Those are pretty high tech. Mine is just a board with a hole in it. Not so cool as those above, but it works for now
View attachment 2610686View attachment 2610687

I love every single thing in this photo!

 

[Smoke-Town]

That is the coziest looking reef, I have ever seen. LOL! Like it.

I love every single thing in this photo!

Thank you both! It's my favorite room in the house! Need to get a little tufted leather couch in there and I'll be all set!