Power cord organization?

[thbrewst]

OK, I finally have my system up and running. I have it set-up so that I can walk all the way around it. I did this so I could 1) enjoy the 360 aquarium world, and 2) have the ease of maintenance from behind the stand. What I did not consider is the exponential number of power cords that I have back there. Here is my list as of now;

Korilia 4 (3)
Heater (1)
Skimmer pump (1)
Return pump (1)
Fuge light (1)
CF light plugs (4)
MH light plugs (3)
Light fixture fan plug (1)

Likely to be added;
- Reefkeeper
- ATO
- Calcium reactor pump
- Ph probe for reactor

So I currently have 15 things and am likely to add another ~4. WOW!! I was not thinking about all of that when planning my set-up. How do folks have their stuff organized? What products are people using to control the web of wires?

BTW, are my ballasts strange that they have a plug for each 'channel' or is that the norm?

 

[jef4y]

Whatever you do, make sure you can remove individual items for cleaning/maintenance. I made the mistake of bundling things only to have to cut them apart to clean pumps.

Home Depot (etc) sells velcro straps which you can use to bundle up the excess cord on a device which cleans things up a lot.

I've also used cable clip things which have multiple slots which I ran cables through. Right now I have a huge freaking mess of cord spaghetti on my setup which I need to unsnarl one of these days... I just keep putting it off...

 

[elfloyd]

DJ switches and power strips mounted inside the cabinet. I have also been known to re-wire some components into one plug. (i.e. - two heaters wired together, two power heads wired together, three canopy fans wired together, etc.) I currently run 19 devices needing power... and only four cords leaving the cabinet.

 

[acroholic]

When I have a length of power cord I use the small plastic cord holders that screw into the wall or stand to hold them in place (Lowes-electric department). Excess cord gets bundled and held with zip ties

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I use pipe hangers to create a pathway for the cords. You can get these and attach to the outside or inside of the cabinet. Another thing to use is a piece of large PVC pipe then cut out a slot (if using 3" pipe, cut a 1" slot) and slide the cords in there. The PVC can then be painted thus less noticeable.

 

[markl]

porpoiseaquatics;564771 wrote: I use pipe hangers to create a pathway for the cords. You can get these and attach to the outside or inside of the cabinet. Another thing to use is a piece of large PVC pipe then cut out a slot (if using 3" pipe, cut a 1" slot) and slide the cords in there. The PVC can then be painted thus less noticeable.

+1 poly pipe hangers work great and only one nail to hold them up.

 

[peachyreef]

I try to keep pumps, power heads and filtration on one powerstrip. lighting ton the others. It makes mainance easier. I use vecro straps too..