broomer5
Active Member
Hey,
For what it's worth folks, I've built a waterproof electrical enclosure that sits underneath my 55 tank stand. I have 4 flip switches also that mount on this box that are gasketed and waterproof as well.
These flip switches have a mechanism that flips a standard wall light switch.
The flip switch mounts on the outside of the enclosure, and the 4 light switches are inside the box.
Right now I have my main return pump, 1 powerhead, my protein skimmer and heater wired to a terminal strip in this enclosure. Each circuit is then wired up to it's own individual switch.
It has one main power cord running from a GFI wall mounted recepticle.
When I want to pull out or service one of the devices, I can either shut everything off, or just that piece of equipment.
It's convienient, waterproof, and didn't cost that much dough.
All the parts were available from Home Depot.
Additionally, because of my job, I have access to a lot of industrial analytical instruments, discontinued models or old demonstrator units, that I was able to scarf up. In addition to the switches, I mounted a panel mounted pH indicator, temperature indicator, and just got my hands on a conductivity monitor for measuring salinity.
Is it necessary to have all this crap to sucessfully run a reef tank - absolutly not.
Is it what I do for a living and fun to tinker with - yeah.
Anyways - If you're looking for a DIY project that doesn't cost too much, and you're handy with tools and electrical wiring, you may want to consider this as a way to get rid the exposed powerstrip and electrical cord nightmare that may be in your tank stand cabinets as well.
If anyone is interested I could post a picture of this sometime soon.
If no replies - I'll let it rest.
Have fun - have a great weekend.
Brian
For what it's worth folks, I've built a waterproof electrical enclosure that sits underneath my 55 tank stand. I have 4 flip switches also that mount on this box that are gasketed and waterproof as well.
These flip switches have a mechanism that flips a standard wall light switch.
The flip switch mounts on the outside of the enclosure, and the 4 light switches are inside the box.
Right now I have my main return pump, 1 powerhead, my protein skimmer and heater wired to a terminal strip in this enclosure. Each circuit is then wired up to it's own individual switch.
It has one main power cord running from a GFI wall mounted recepticle.
When I want to pull out or service one of the devices, I can either shut everything off, or just that piece of equipment.
It's convienient, waterproof, and didn't cost that much dough.
All the parts were available from Home Depot.
Additionally, because of my job, I have access to a lot of industrial analytical instruments, discontinued models or old demonstrator units, that I was able to scarf up. In addition to the switches, I mounted a panel mounted pH indicator, temperature indicator, and just got my hands on a conductivity monitor for measuring salinity.
Is it necessary to have all this crap to sucessfully run a reef tank - absolutly not.
Is it what I do for a living and fun to tinker with - yeah.
Anyways - If you're looking for a DIY project that doesn't cost too much, and you're handy with tools and electrical wiring, you may want to consider this as a way to get rid the exposed powerstrip and electrical cord nightmare that may be in your tank stand cabinets as well.
If anyone is interested I could post a picture of this sometime soon.
If no replies - I'll let it rest.
Have fun - have a great weekend.
Brian