what do i do with all the friggin cords?
- Thread starter rookum
- Start date
flricordia
Active Member
Attatcha power strip to the back of the stand.
salty blues
Active Member
tie wraps are your friend.
J
jrthomas40
Guest
get one of those things that make a 2 plug into a 6 plug then use powerstrips and zip tie
scsinet
Active Member
There is a product we use in the IT world... it's a plastic channel called cable duct or something similar (every mfr. has a different name for it).
You can organize your cords using it. There are a few places that sell it pretty cheap. "Automation Direct" comes to mind.
I never got around to using it, but it's a good option. I also like the velcro cable wraps. They work out better for me than cable ties as I'm always rearranging equipment. You can get nice ones from Stayonline, or you can go to Lowes' or the Deeepppoooo and get them in where they keep the flowers and stuff (sold in long rolls to secure branches to decor and stuff, just cut it into chunks).
You can organize your cords using it. There are a few places that sell it pretty cheap. "Automation Direct" comes to mind.
I never got around to using it, but it's a good option. I also like the velcro cable wraps. They work out better for me than cable ties as I'm always rearranging equipment. You can get nice ones from Stayonline, or you can go to Lowes' or the Deeepppoooo and get them in where they keep the flowers and stuff (sold in long rolls to secure branches to decor and stuff, just cut it into chunks).
scsinet
Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
i'd like to find a store that will order me one of wiremold's 4' plugmold outlet strip
Ahhh... I've got a suggestion you'll like then.
The wiremold strips are nice, but the 4' ones only have like 6 outlets. Again, in the IT world we use the Tripp-Lite power strips. If you go their web site, then go to Power Strips>Select by Model Series, you'll find the ones I'm talking about. They are nice aluminum housings, come with like 10 foot cords... and reasonably priced.
Their model numbers go by inches/outlets. For example, PS4816 is 48", 16 outlets. PS3612 is 36", 12 outlets. (The PS3612 is what I use on my tanks). You can buy them direct from Tripplite.
They even come with little "fillers" to stick in unused outlets... a real plus when water is splishing about.
i'd like to find a store that will order me one of wiremold's 4' plugmold outlet strip
Ahhh... I've got a suggestion you'll like then.
The wiremold strips are nice, but the 4' ones only have like 6 outlets. Again, in the IT world we use the Tripp-Lite power strips. If you go their web site, then go to Power Strips>Select by Model Series, you'll find the ones I'm talking about. They are nice aluminum housings, come with like 10 foot cords... and reasonably priced.
Their model numbers go by inches/outlets. For example, PS4816 is 48", 16 outlets. PS3612 is 36", 12 outlets. (The PS3612 is what I use on my tanks). You can buy them direct from Tripplite.
They even come with little "fillers" to stick in unused outlets... a real plus when water is splishing about.
sharkbait9
Active Member
Originally Posted by Al Mc
I always collect a 'pearl' of advice when I see SCSI replies
Good advice!
yup it's good to keep him around
I always collect a 'pearl' of advice when I see SCSI replies
notsonoob
Member
When I get around to it.
I plan on running all my electrical through cables, cable clamps, and waterproof boxes with outlets, whereas all my cords are neatly tucked in places out of view. Everything is going to feed into a 20 amp single outlet and feed a GFCI on the main. This way if I move the aquarium anywhere all I'll have to do is drop a heavy duty male to male extention cord to power it, lights and all.
Every tank I build will be prewired...
((my wife thought I was crazy when I pulled up to the checkout with the cart))
Now I just need batteries for my brady labeler...
I plan on running all my electrical through cables, cable clamps, and waterproof boxes with outlets, whereas all my cords are neatly tucked in places out of view. Everything is going to feed into a 20 amp single outlet and feed a GFCI on the main. This way if I move the aquarium anywhere all I'll have to do is drop a heavy duty male to male extention cord to power it, lights and all.
Every tank I build will be prewired...
((my wife thought I was crazy when I pulled up to the checkout with the cart))
Now I just need batteries for my brady labeler...
nano reefer
Active Member
My friend has no cords, and has everything on light switches. Everything is labeled, and it is very nice to have. When you go down to where all his filtration is (he has a 580 gallon DT) he has about 20 switches to turn things on and off (reactors, and pumps when he does water changes). I always wanted to do it, but getting an electrician to my house to do it would cost quite a bit of money.
grumpygils
Active Member
Originally Posted by rookum
okay so you put a tank by a wall outlet then you have a gazillion cords to hide, i cant stand this. try my best to hide the but it seems so sloppy. any ideas? thanks
What ever you do, Make sure all have drip loops or are plugged "upward". Meaning if water hit any of them anywhere, it would drip/drain away from the outlet. IFIREFIGHT has done about the best you can do with cords. He had a pic a few months ago, all labeled, neat and safe......... Go figure for a firefighter! I think he was afraid the chief would come and inspect it. I use ties. In my new house, SCSINet doesn't know it yet, but he is going to drive to Raleigh and do mine! Ha Ha
Mc
okay so you put a tank by a wall outlet then you have a gazillion cords to hide, i cant stand this. try my best to hide the but it seems so sloppy. any ideas? thanks
What ever you do, Make sure all have drip loops or are plugged "upward". Meaning if water hit any of them anywhere, it would drip/drain away from the outlet. IFIREFIGHT has done about the best you can do with cords. He had a pic a few months ago, all labeled, neat and safe......... Go figure for a firefighter! I think he was afraid the chief would come and inspect it. I use ties. In my new house, SCSINet doesn't know it yet, but he is going to drive to Raleigh and do mine! Ha Ha
Mc
rookum
Member
forright now i'll go with the ties. just rearanged all the stuff under the tank and its looking alright. the hardest cords are for my lights there 20' long and its a pain to put them somewhere. my pops is an electrician and whe i can get him to do it, i will have him run seperate lines and breakers for the tanks. at the rate im going that will be about a year away. thanks for the help ya'll
wattsupdoc
Active Member
The panduit as Scsi suggested really is a good option. You can get it in various sizes, connect then perpindiclar to each other and make runs, remove the cover easily and remove/replace a cord. You can really clean things up with it. The only problem is...... there is no problem with it. But it's probably way more involved than the average aquarist needs/wants to get.
You know they dont make a male to male extension cord right? Are you really going to be moving the tank around that much? How are you going to break it all down to move it if it's all hardwired in? Lights and all?
The velcro wrap approach though, are about the most practicle thing. I'm allways moving stuff around tinkering and need to extend or shorten them. Tye wraps have to be cut each time. Also those small bungee cords with the balls on the ends make a good choice. They stay put and you can hang 'em up on things if you want to. You can get the cable buddies too. They are plastic clamps that release to open them up. Also the cable coils, like used on automotive applications. Hell, theres alot of options for cable managment....use duct tape, it's easy and you allready have some. Plus you can write on it.
You know they dont make a male to male extension cord right? Are you really going to be moving the tank around that much? How are you going to break it all down to move it if it's all hardwired in? Lights and all?
The velcro wrap approach though, are about the most practicle thing. I'm allways moving stuff around tinkering and need to extend or shorten them. Tye wraps have to be cut each time. Also those small bungee cords with the balls on the ends make a good choice. They stay put and you can hang 'em up on things if you want to. You can get the cable buddies too. They are plastic clamps that release to open them up. Also the cable coils, like used on automotive applications. Hell, theres alot of options for cable managment....use duct tape, it's easy and you allready have some. Plus you can write on it.