DIY Control Board. Show me what you got and how you did it!

[Semper.Reefing]

Here is what I’ve got so far after tonight. Very grateful to have some crafty friends that wanted to help! There’s 7” of space behind the middle panel for cord management. Going to plane what to mount where, paint it, and eventually add a glass door or magnetic panel to the front. And of course, run some LEDs inside!

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Backside

 

[OctaviusBrine]

Backside

Nice I like it! Looking good.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

All sanded down. I think this will be my layout with the equipment and space I have. I plan to set the trident on top when it comes it. The bottom space is room for my dosing containers which are 12”x6.5”.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

All done! Ain’t perfect but man it does the job. I don’t know why I didn’t take a pic behind it, very organized to say the least. Sorry this kind of turned into a build thread. Just wanted to let y’all see where your inspiration lead me. Thanks!

 

[redfishbluefish]

I am very old, so my equipment is old.....like Smithsonian Museum old school. The better part of my equipment is no longer being made. Two old ReefKeeper II controllers, and I think my oldest MP's are dated 2005....that top row of controllers.

The controllers for the ReefKeepers are mounted right in the face of the equipment cabinet. That green LED between the two controllers is to tell me that the top-off reservoir needs water.

I also have a sub panel (a piece of plywood) below my tank, next to the sump for three powerheads and the light controller for the sump.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

I am very old, so my equipment is old.....like Smithsonian Museum old school. The better part of my equipment is no longer being made. Two old ReefKeeper II controllers, and I think my oldest MP's are dated 2005....that top row of controllers.

The controllers for the ReefKeepers are mounted right in the face of the equipment cabinet. That green LED between the two controllers is to tell me that the top-off reservoir needs water.

I also have a sub panel (a piece of plywood) below my tank, next to the sump for three powerheads and the light controller for the sump.

Wow! Talk about some good quality equipment. Maybe I’ll look into an MP-10 in the future for my nano if they last that long! Very clean set up!

 

[RichReef]

I put it all in a medicine cabinet next to the tank. Forget that crouching down stuff.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Wow! Talk about some good quality equipment. Maybe I’ll look into an MP-10 in the future for my nano if they last that long! Very clean set up!

Please don't make judgement of equipment purchases on what I use. I have a love-hate relationship with Vortech, and right now it's the latter. Please note that most if not all older drysides have had bearings replaced, and those that haven't are not the quietest they could be. As far as wetsides, I can't even tell you how many I've purchased.....multiple. I originally blamed the failure on use of vinegar (SEE THIS POST), but now I'm leaning more towards failure of poor quality materials. I've lost a new wetside that was maybe a year and a half old that had only been clean in citrate maybe two or three times....swollen magnet. Once they raised the price to $100 for wetsides.....they use to be $75......I started replacing them with other powerheads. If you look closely, I have two non-vortech powerheads in the tank/sump.

 

[dangit]

DIY controller board I just built. Still have room for a few more additions. Only cost me $40

 

[Kodock]

DIY controller board I just built. Still have room for a few more additions. Only cost me $40

Nice!! Where did you get those inserts/cable hole things?

 

[dangit]

Nice!! Where did you get those inserts/cable hole things?

Thanks! I got them off of Amazon. If you search for “cable grommets” you should be able to find plenty of options. I don’t recommend using any of the drill bits that come with the grommets.

 

[Kodock]

Thanks! I got them off of Amazon. If you search for “cable grommets” you should be able to find plenty of options. I don’t recommend using any of the drill bits that come with the grommets.

Thank you!!

 

[Kodock]

Thanks! I got them off of Amazon. If you search for “cable grommets” you should be able to find plenty of options. I don’t recommend using any of the drill bits that come with the grommets.

Bought some of those like yours and finally finished mine, thanks!

 

[Reign1]

Just putting mine together .. almost done