Question on Timer setups

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HybridHerp

HybridHerp

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 18, 2012
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New York
So this might seem a silly question but I still need to know anyways. I've done all my research on my lights and figured out how I want things to run, and figured that I'd have a timer do these things for me. My plan is a 4 bulb fixture, 2 bulbs will always be in use during the daytime and the other 2 will only turn on during the hight of the growing period so that I can get that light burst effect. the fixture I am getting has 2 different power cords for the 2 banks of lighting. There is also an LED moonlight that will be with these lights, on its own power cord as well (I assume as much anyways)

In addition to the lights, I am running 2 airstones at night and only at night, and have 2 separate filters going on the tank (constantly of course), and in the future will probably have to run a pressurized co2 system for the tank

can someone give me examples for what to look for as far as timers that could accomplish this? I feel silly not knowing this lol. I count a total of at least 4 (or 5 cause if I did co2 that would be on a timer too no? or is that constant?) cords on a timer and 2 cords that will constantly be on

thanks in advance guys, I feel silly :P
 
Lowes has an eight outlet strip for $20 with four timed outlets, and four always on, but the four that are on timers can't be set individually. So I still had to get a second timer for my moonlights

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kcfan491 said:
Lowes has an eight outlet strip for $20 with four timed outlets, and four always on, but the four that are on timers can't be set individually. So I still had to get a second timer for my moonlights

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You can Leave the moonlights on. Your fixture sounds like a coralife pc lunar.
 
If you want everything on a timer and set at different times it seems like your calculations are correct and you would need 5 timers (with Co2, unless you want it constant which would be a waste and would be silly with your air pump running at night). You could possibly do 4 timers if you were planning to run the air pump in conjunction with the moonlight led at the same time at night. At minimum you would need at least 4 seperate timers to accomplish this, and one of the four would have to be at least a two outlet timed (or you could plug in a power strip into one of the 4 timers on your power strip, but becareful of exceeding the total power rating for your 1st power strip!!). There are a variety of timers and brands of timers out on the market to accomplish this, some better than others. I like Sylvania timers and prefer the simple non digital setups. They have been reliable and durable for me. From my research I would stay away from power strip timers as from reviews they are not as reliabale, durable, and i've heard horror stories of fires occuring with those (but some people have success with them). It doesn't seem power strip timers would be the best choice seeing that you aren't able to individually control the outlets (4 outlets timed to the same time...). If you decide to go with Sylvania timers like I suggested, personally I would get 4-5 timers (depending on power needs and plug styles), as the only one with two timed outlets on one timer is a outdoor timer and costs $40+. I probably would get 5 timers as I don't like the idea of a power strip with a timer plugged in to it with another power strip plugged into that timer (chaining power strips and timers is dangerous because powerstrips and timers by themselves use power even without plugging something into them, make sure you leave a bit of power available for this factor), but technically it can be done if you don't overload the 1st power strip (If you do make sure you get high quality power strips... get high quality power strips anyways!)... Depending if your plugs are grounded (three prong) or not they offer a timer model with a cord so it doesn't end up taking as much space on your power strip or wall. I've got a couple Prime power strips that allow me to move/adjust the outlets which could fit 5 of the Sylvania heavy duty appliance timers (Sylvania SA110 15 Amp Heavy Duty Appliance Timer). But for appliances that do not require a grounded prong I still like to use the extra corded sylvania appliance timer (Sylvania SA 105 15 AMP Table Top Lamp Timer) because it doesn't block another outlet which may be useful (but be careful of overloading!!). Looks like your plan will end up costing you some cash. Good luck.
 
From what Im understanding the light fixture has two cords for the two banks of lighting. Thats two timers. The moonlight can be on constantly. LEDS will outlive the fixture, theres really no point in putting it on a timer unless you really want too. The air pumps can be run off of one timer, and the co2 needs a timer if you are gonna run the air stones at night.

Thats 3 timers now, and 4 if you set up a pressurized co2 set-up. (Id try the DIY first to see if you like it/need it)

I always use the digital timers from Brinks. You can get em at wally world for 8 bucks a piece. I use two of them, never had a failure. If you lose power, they have a battery back-up that saves the time. They have cheaper analogs, but I like the digital theyre just plain cool, and more accurate.
 
I've found out the hard way that I prefer digital timer over the dial type ones. I had a dial timer that didn't fully turn on which caused the ballast on my lights to burn out.
 
Inglorious said:
I've found out the hard way that I prefer digital timer over the dial type ones. I had a dial timer that didn't fully turn on which caused the ballast on my lights to burn out.
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How does a timer which doesn't turn on cause your ballast to burn out? If the timer doesn't go on then no power is being supplied to the ballast right? How does a analog timer not "fully" turn on? :confused:
 
It was a mechanical switch which didn't fully close causing the power to pulse as it arced across the tiny gap left in the switch. When I caught it a couple hours later the timer had a lot of carbon buildup around the switch when I opened up the cover. I'm lucky it didn't start a fire.
 
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