Adaptive Reef Deluxe Aquarium Controller Board Basic Setup!
Adaptive Reef Controller Boards are the very first products that came to market specifically made for mounting equipment and organizing the endless nest of cables we encounter as aquarists. The board comes in a standard and deluxe model with the only difference being some extra mounting rails and openings in the deluxe board which makes it easier to handle more complicated setups.
The boards come completely assembled so all you need to do is mount the board and attach all of your gear. There is a variety of additional accessories including custom faceplates, logo plates, a shelf, and additional plugs which can be purchased separately that will help you customize the board to your needs. For larger aquariums, you can use multiple controller boards side by side or consider the controller cabinet for a more comprehensive solution.
The controller boards are made from expanded PVC which is an incredible material that acts like wood but is lightweight and water-resistant. You can cut, sand, paint, and drill the expanded PVC material with ease so customizations are possible but it won't be as heavy as a plywood board or cabinet. 3m style tape and velcro easily adhere to the surfaces of the board too so you won't have to screw everything down.
How To Setup The Adaptive Reef Controller Board
- Mount and level the included french cleat. Use a level when anchoring the cleat onto your wall or tank stand. Be sure to use dry-wall anchors if attaching the board to your wall. Remember the top of the board will sit roughly 4.25" above the mount and you will need another 1.5" of clearance above that to lift and remove the board from the mount.
- Using paper stencils, organize and map out the mounting of all your necessary controllers and other equipment you want showing on the front side of the board. This will help you ensure you can fit all of the necessary gear and keep it looking nice and organized. Tape the stencils in place.
- Run the power cords and wires through the holes in the controller board and use zip ties, velcro, and/or 3M tape to attach the wires to the rails and racks on the back of the board. Wrap the excess wire/cable in a coil, attach the coil to the rails or together to keep things clean and organized. Remember you need to plug all of this equipment into a power bar or surge protector too which can also be mounted to the backside of the board or along the sides. The included short power cords can be used to replace the long 4-6ft power cords that come with your equipment. This helps make some more room behind the boards.
- Secure the controllers on the front of the board only after you have routed and secured the wires. Securing the controllers is the last step you should take before applying power and mounting the board on the wall.
- Slide the entire board onto the previously mounted french cleat. You will only need to remove the board to access the power cords and wires attached to the backside.
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