timers for lights

[ivy2dw7]

I was wondering how everyone deals with turning all of the lights on/off. I've heard a lot of people talk about having each light on timers, but how do you have enough room for 2-4 timers? All the ones I have seen are huge and only work for one plug. For the past few months I've just been turning each light on/off myself but I know that when I move out in the fall into the dorms my mom won't be able to do that. So how do all of you do it?

 

[shawnd61]

you could put the outlet splitter on the timer that way you have 3-5 outlets ont the 1 timer. i dont know how many lights you need to turn on, or at what time intervals.

 

[ivy2dw7]

I currently have 2 6-outlet power strips for my aquarium (2 plugs are to my TV/DVD player) and I need timers for 3 lights. I understand what you mean by hooking them all up through the power strip outlet to the timer but then all 3 lights would turn on/off at the same time. I need to turn them on/off at different times.

 

[ivy2dw7]

Oh yeah, and I have 6 plugs in one power strip and 4 in the other. If it was only 3 in the other I'd probably be able to fit 3 timers onto it for the lights, but then I'd have 1 other thing that would have to be plugged into an outlet somehow.

 

[ivy2dw7]

Come on, practically every single person on this forum has at least one tank they maintain. Are you telling me that every single one of you has the time to be home in order to turn every one of your lights on and off at the right time every day?

 

[gfk]

here is what i have. i have 2 of those timers that you plug lamps into. this all happend today btw. got my new light, didnt realize the plugs are grounded. well those lamp timers arent grounded. so i need to go get adapters for them from home depot so they fit. but yes i have 2 timers one for the actinics one for the daytimes.
i have 2 power strips for my tank. one for powerheads, heater and filter. 1 for the 2 timers. set the actinics to turn on at 9 am, the daylights at 10am, daylights go off at 9pm and the actinics off at 10. moonlights will be controlled by me, or if i get lazy and decide to buy another timer for them.
timers are 4.77 at walmart but are not the kind that have grounded plugs (3 prong) so be warned about those cheap things. im going to home depot in a few mins to check out other options

 

[angelofish]

I saw in a catalog somewhere what look like mini extension cords that you plug into the outlets on the powerstrip. Theyre for plugging multiple ,bulky plugs that normally couldnt fit side by side on the powerstrip. A set of those and 3 timers would work for you.I wouldnt know where online to look for them though and I dont have the catalog.Sorry. Maybe radioshack would have something like them.

 

[mudplayerx]

Radioshack is so overpriced it is ridiculous. I don't mean a few bucks either. Their stuff is like 150% to 200% more expensive than other stores

 

[us~^>shark]

Picture this.... a 10 outlet power strip with a built in digital clock with the ability to activate each of the 10 outlets at different times, similar to a sprinkler system. No more bulky timers. Simple, easy and practical. What do you think? Is there a market for one? I know I'd buy one. In the mean time, I'll deal with buying the 4 bulky timers I'll need now that I finally have water in my tank!!!!

 

[angelofish]

Got it!!:yes: Go to their site and look up item 61-2755 .Theyre 3 bucks a piece. ...... I dont think someones going to go bankrupt spending 9 bucks at radioshack. Make sure the cords, timers,and light plugs are all compatible.

 

[mudplayerx]

Prolly get them for 99 cents at walmart, but I'm playing

's advocate here I'm a broke college student, $9 will feed me Ramen noodles for a month LOL

 

[maeistero]

this thread is nuts with nutcases replying. imo, your tank's equipment needs to be protected from lightning storms and electrical screwups.

i'd hate to lose a couple thou after a lightning hit.
so i use a powerstrip/surge protector based for a computer. look around and you'll find a bunch that you can put multiple timers on. the plug outlets are spaced for bigger converters.
DO think before getting timers though. i've tons of 2prongers that i could've spent 2 bucks more and used them. now i have no idea what to use 2prongers for.:notsure:
...... in other news.... mud is averaging 500posts a month. approximately 16 a day. :scared:
but i do agree with most all of his advice so far.

 

[angelofish]

Im all for getting a powerstrip surge protector. I thought that was a given. I was just suggesting a solution for fitting and plugging 3 timers at the same time on a powerstrip/surge protector. If ya ca find em cheaper, go for it. Radioshack aint paying me a dime.
Top Ramen RULES!!!!:joy:

 

[maeistero]

Originally posted by Angelofish
I saw in a catalog somewhere what look like mini extension cords that you plug into the outlets on the powerstrip. Theyre for plugging multiple ,bulky plugs that normally couldnt fit side by side on the powerstrip. A set of those and 3 timers would work for you.I wouldnt know where online to look for them though and I dont have the catalog.Sorry. Maybe radioshack would have something like them.
used to work - home defupo and i know exactly what you're talking about. problem is they're about as expensive as a 1 foot ext cord. and that's extreme fire hazard also. the feds are doing their best to kill that co. good idea in theory though.
computer powerstrips are expensive as heck, but they are the best. and i've not seen any others that have staggered placement plugs for larger timers and such for anything else.

 

[gfk]

just got back from the depot
2 surge protectors, one has 2 timers and a plug and one surge protector thats always on.
4.77 for two timers from walmart
2 61 cent adapters from 3 prong to 2 prong and youre golden
total cost, about 10 bucks

 

[angelofish]

It was just a thought.:thinking: How about that new Power Center powerstrip with the dual timers built in.

 

[gfk]

i thought about that, but since i had the surge protector already, or you can get one forl ike 10 bucks, and you can get timers for about 5 from walmart, its cheaper, but ya the all in one thing makes it look better

 

[mudplayerx]

Originally posted by maeistero
...... in other news.... mud is averaging 500posts a month. approximately 16 a day. :scared:
but i do agree with most all of his advice so far.

Lol, what else do you expect me to do while at work. By the way, all my stuff is hooked up to a 4 hour ups power backup should I get an outtage (only lasts 2 hours with all m y equip hooked up). It has a built-in surge protector

 

[gfk]

i also post from work, just not nearly as much as you
i am at home now though, waiting for my gf to come over

 

[1911_guy]

has nobody seen the coralife power center?
I just bought 2 of them. i think they make 2 different ones.
the 2 i got have a built in timer with 8 outlets, 4 constand, 2 on/2 off. like night and day. you can use them for powerheads creating a current or for lighting. i don't believe they are "surge protectors" but who says you can't plug that into a surge protector? might be a fire hazard, i'll have to look into that.
The following taken straight from the site:
CORALIFE power center
"The Coralife Power Center - Day/Night Timer or Wavemaker Timer is an easy-to-use 24 hour timer and 8-outlet indoor power strip in one convenient unit. This unit has 4 constant-power outlets and 4 timer-controlled outlets (2 daytime / 2 night time) to make your day and night cycle applications easier to manage.
When the 2 daytime timer-controlled outlets are on, the 2 nighttime timer-controlled outlets are off. This feature allows you to control aquarium and terrarium environments with daylight, nightlight, heat source, moonlight and wave-maker applications.
The Power Center can control two sets of water pumps (total of four outlets) at alternating intervals of 15 minutes (minimum) or more to create a wave-maker application. The two sets of outlets will be interchanged between each other based on the timer setting. This wave-maker application creates a natural rhythm in your aquarium that replicates ocean tidal movements.
Features:
8 Outlet timer/Power strip
4 timer-controlled outlets
4 constant-power outlets
24 hour mechanical timer
15 minute setting intervals
Great for switching water pumps to create tidal-flow currents
Alternate day-night cycle timer
On/Off and manual control switch
3 foot heavy-duty power cord
Sliding outlet safety covers
3-prong grounded plug and outlets
15 amp 120 volt (1875 watts max.) circuit breaker
UL listed "