Light timer

[thang45]

I am looking for a light timer. Do you guys think the item below is good?

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17945/si1316689/cl0/marinelandaquariumlighttimer

[svdfinally]

You can buy light timers at Lowes, Home Depot, local hardware store for about 6 dollars. That's all I ever use and I've never had a problem.:)

[thang45]

You can buy light timers at Lowes, Home Depot, local hardware store for about 6 dollars. That's all I ever use and I've never had a problem.:)

Thank you. I didn't know Home Depot has it.

Which brand did you get?

[White Worm]

walmart 5$

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=57067&highlight=timer

[Kevin22]

I use this one you are looking for now.
2 reasons:
1. got 3 hole plugs, which works for my T5 lighting.
2. you can setup turn on and turn off as many time as you want to. very precise. I turn on my tank in morning, turn off in afternoon for about 2 hours.
and turn on before I get home.

[poconogal]

I use this one you are looking for now.
2 reasons:
1. got 3 hole plugs, which works for my T5 lighting.
2. you can setup turn on and turn off as many time as you want to. very precise. I turn on my tank in morning, turn off in afternoon for about 2 hours.
and turn on before I get home.
I use the same one, for the same reasons. If you shop around, you can find it much cheaper. I paid $5.00 for mine. Don't ask me where, :) it was last year and I don't remember! :confused:

[thang45]

walmart 5$

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=57067&highlight=timer

I hope they have the same one in Canada


I use this one you are looking for now.
2 reasons:
1. got 3 hole plugs, which works for my T5 lighting.
2. you can setup turn on and turn off as many time as you want to. very precise. I turn on my tank in morning, turn off in afternoon for about 2 hours.
and turn on before I get home.

I have a T5 lighting too. I thought it was a 2 hole plugs. I will check it again just to be sure.

If poconogal and you think it good, then I will buy the same brand just to be safe.

[tpl*co]

Looking for a timer for my T5's too. Debating on X10 automation (so I can have another remote :)) but heard that they may make T5's flicker? I'd like to be able to just override the timer though if I want to turn the lights off or on earlier though (wouldn't be able to do that with those preset timers).

Tina

[poconogal]

Looking for a timer for my T5's too. Debating on X10 automation (so I can have another remote :)) but heard that they may make T5's flicker? I'd like to be able to just override the timer though if I want to turn the lights off or on earlier though (wouldn't be able to do that with those preset timers).

Tina
Tina, the one Mike and I use and the one in the big al's link at the beginning of the thread has a manual overide. It has a sliding switch that you push to one side or another.

[tpl*co]

Tina, the one Mike and I use and the one in the big al's link at the beginning of the thread has a manual overide. It has a sliding switch that you push to one side or another.

Considering this one too, but I'd still need to open the tower to get at it if I go this route :p Have them set from 6:30-9:30 now but there are times I want it to turn-off when I want to (without changing the programming)

The thought of being able to operate the lights remotely sounds nice, but read somewhere that it may cause some lights to flicker :p

Tina

[poconogal]

Considering this one too, but I'd still need to open the tower to get at it if I go this route :p Have them set from 6:30-9:30 now but there are times I want it to turn-off when I want to (without changing the programming)

The thought of being able to operate the lights remotely sounds nice, but read somewhere that it may cause some lights to flicker :p

Tina
I just got a new timer that's built into the power strip. I think that has manual override as well (hmmm, I forgot, but now I'll have to check on it). But since I keep my power strip down in my cabinet, all I'll have to open is my cabinet to turn on/off manually. Its made by Coralife.

[tpl*co]

I just got a new timer that's built into the power strip. I think that has manual override as well (hmmm, I forgot, but now I'll have to check on it). But since I keep my power strip down in my cabinet, all I'll have to open is my cabinet to turn on/off manually. Its made by Coralife.

That's the one I've got now, but after reading some pretty bad horror stories about it (people's houses burning down), and after timing it, and it just pretty much stays the same until I go down and change it, I was thinking of something else. There are some pretty good recommendations on timers from Home Depot from the plant BB.

Tina

[sleonard]

I like the Coralife powerstrips (http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18362/si1378967/cl0/coralifeaqualightdigitalpowercenter) with built-in timers as well. Four always on outlets, two outlets for day use and two outlets for night use. Manual overide, mutiple on/off periods, and the digital clock keeps much better time than the mechanical timers. Kind of expensive though :(

Scott

[Ed13]

That's the one I've got now, but after reading some pretty bad horror stories about it (people's houses burning down), and after timing it, and it just pretty much stays the same until I go down and change it, I was thinking of something else. There are some pretty good recommendations on timers from Home Depot from the plant BB.

Tina
LOL, thats all hype and exagerations from the grapevine! There were some that did malfunctioned some time ago, I think it was the individual timers though. As far as someones house burning down I don't know, it was never the party involved telling the story always a friend, relative etc. BTW, it could happen with the Coralife ones or any other.
I like the double timer strips from Coralife because of some of the feautures and the slim profile, otherwise the Home depot are as good or better if you don't mind the bulkyness.
Some lights can't be run on regular timers though.

[tpl*co]

Here's a post on the debate of timers:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/43268-timers-digital-vs-mechanical-were-buy.html?highlight=x10

[tpl*co]

I like the double timer strips from Coralife because of some of the feautures and the slim profile, otherwise the Home depot are as good or better if you don't mind the bulkyness.
Some lights can't be run on regular timers though.

Do you know which lights can't be run on regular timers? Why? Got to consider all the options :).

DH likes to sleep on the couch near my big tank, I think he'll probably think it cool to have a remote for the tank lights :).

Tina

[Ed13]

Do you know which lights can't be run on regular timers? Why? Got to consider all the options :).

DH likes to sleep on the couch near my big tank, I think he'll probably think it cool to have a remote for the tank lights :).

Tina
Well some tubes are designed to be properly grounded to fire, and some timers are not designed to work with devices like tube ballasts or HID lights like MH. Honestly I can't remember exactly which can't be used on what timer. It is easier to match the timer to the device! I'll see if I can find exactly which, but don't cross your fingers!

BTW, whats a DH?

[Ed13]

Aparently digital timers wont work with magnetic or inductive type ballasts and can be a safety risk and/or fire danger. I imagine the electromagnetic discharge from these ballasts prevent the digital timer from working properly

[tpl*co]

BTW, whats a DH?

"Dear Husband" or "Damn..." depending on what he's done and my mood, LOL.

Tina

[tpl*co]

Aparently digital timers wont work with magnetic or inductive type ballasts and can be a safety risk and/or fire danger. I imagine the electromagnetic discharge from these ballasts prevent the digital timer from working properly

How can you tell a magnetic or inductive type ballast? What types are in premade light strips?

Tina

[Ed13]

"Dear Husband" or "Damn..." depending on what he's done and my mood, LOL.

Tina
I kept thinking, there is no designated hitter in discus so....:) :) :) lol


How can you tell a magnetic or inductive type ballast? What types are in premade light strips?

Tina
There are magnetic ballasts for flourescent bulbs and HID or high intensity discharge bulbs( MH, mercury vapor, halogen etc) You'll need to check with the manufacturer for which are being used. The ballast itself usually has this info. I think its safe to say that today pretty much all aquarium related flourescent fixtures are run with electronic ballasts, but it never hurts to check. MH on the other hand could go either way, magnetic are still and will be very much in use

BTW, I have no clue about the new LED type aquarium light fixtures, but at $2000 each I doubt they will be used in freshwater.:)

[diablocanine]

Here's a post on the debate of timers:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/43268-timers-digital-vs-mechanical-were-buy.html?highlight=x10
That is a good post for information on light timers. Keep in mind a fire shield is a good idea and cheap insurance.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/DiabloCanine/Fish%20Room/FishRoom33.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/DiabloCanine/Fish%20Room/FishRoom30.jpg

Here is a good post about Coralife Timers:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/26075-coralife-power-center-warning.html?highlight=coralife+timers

And here is a thread on a Coralife Timer fire:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=584645&highlight=Coralife+timer

Connecting high wattage lighting to a tank requires some precautions......DC

[tpl*co]

That is a good post for information on light timers. Keep in mind a fire shield is a good idea and cheap insurance.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/DiabloCanine/Fish%20Room/FishRoom33.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/DiabloCanine/Fish%20Room/FishRoom30.jpg

Here is a good post about Coralife Timers:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/26075-coralife-power-center-warning.html?highlight=coralife+timers

And here is a thread on a Coralife Timer fire:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=584645&highlight=Coralife+timer

Connecting high wattage lighting to a tank requires some precautions......DC


Where can you pick up those fire shields DC?

Tina

[Ed13]

That is a good post for information on light timers. Keep in mind a fire shield is a good idea and cheap insurance.

Here is a good post about Coralife Timers:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/26075-coralife-power-center-warning.html?highlight=coralife+timers

And here is a thread on a Coralife Timer fire:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=584645&highlight=Coralife+timer

Connecting high wattage lighting to a tank requires some precautions......DC

I stand corrected! FIRE!!! I still think that the high conducitivy of salwater, the salt creep, sensitive equipment that leak, splash and flood a lot(protein skimmers, sumps, calcium reactors, chillers etc) and the nature of a reefer (always with their hands in the tank and tweaking something) are factors that make situations like this more frequent in SW. It never hurts to be careful and now about it though!

BTW, good to see you posting again DC!. I always enjoy your DIY projects!:)

[diablocanine]

Where can you pick up those fire shields DC?

Tina

http://www.fireshield.com/storesbystate.htm

[thang45]

Just an update

Based on this thread I went to Big Als and bought the Marineland Aquarium Light Timer. What a great product, highly recommended if anyone need a timer.

I went to Home depot to look for a cheaper one but the cheaper one only has 2 holes plug. The 3 holes plug cost too much.

[diablocanine]

Just an update

Based on this thread I went to Big Als and bought the Marineland Aquarium Light Timer. What a great product, highly recommended if anyone need a timer.

I went to Home depot to look for a cheaper one but the cheaper one only has 2 holes plug. The 3 holes plug cost too much.

Although the Intermatic DT27C does cost more it is a digital timer loaded with features;
Up to 14 ON/OFF programsUp to 112 ON/OFF settings per weekOptional random feature gives your home a "lived-in" look, deterring burglarsOptional Daylight Savings Time FeatureBattery back-upLarge, easy-to-read display3 prong grounded plug and receptacleEasy to programManual override featureTo the minute accuracy


It will also follows the daily changes in sunset and sunrise times. Well worth the extra $8 IMO.......DC