melev

For years, I've been running Vortech pumps on my tanks. The driver for each pump has to be installed somewhere dry, safe from splashes, drips or worse. Velcro pads have held them to the woodwork, but they didn't stay there forever like one might hope. Over time, the glue on the back of the strip would let go from the surface of the wood, and I'd resort to using more velcro after struggling to remove the old sticky stuff the impeded a decent bond.

One driver had come off completely and was hanging upside down from the power cord and inevitably those would give out. I couldn't even see the readout of the pH controller unless I lifted it out of the way. Instead of more velcro, I wanted to come up with a more permanent solution.

Using a spare driver for measuring purposes, I was able to ascertain what sizes were needed to hold it in place and yet allow for three cables to run up into the base. The first attempt was pretty close to what I wanted to see.

With the basics figured out, I made a few more for my drivers. Each one rests on the 'feet' of the bracket that is screwed to the wooden panel of the power center.

I still use a small piece of velcro on the back to keep the driver on the bracket but it's really just a minor assist. Gravity won't tug on these nor will the weight of the cords pull them loose .... due to the footer of the acrylic bracket.

Now that I've got my Vortech drivers standing up pretty, it gives me a sense of pride each time I walk past that spot and see them well supported. I should have done this ages ago!

I also made a few doubles just because I thought it might be interesting to others, and immediately I had requests by hobbyists to purchase some. Here's the link to the item in my shop: http://melevsreef.com/catalog/vortech-driver-holder

And a few more pictures.