Do I Need 3 Timers for Lighting Scheme?

Tobman · 11/07/2006, 04:00 PM

I have a daylights, actinics and moon lights. I have two Coralife digital timers. These timers have two sets of programmed outlets, and when one is on the other is off, and visa versa. There is no way to have both off at the same time.

What I'd like to do is have actinics come on first in the AM (dawn), then have both actinics and daylights on during the day, then the daylights go off, actinics on (dusk), and then just the moonlights on during the night, BUT with a few hours of complete darkness (all lights off), just like it would be in the wild.

The only way I can figure this can be accomplished is with 3 timers. Is there any other way to do it? It seems excessive to need 3 timers and I don't understnad why Coralife or others wouldn't make it so you could do this with 1-2 timers.

geckofrog · 11/07/2006, 04:11 PM

What your wanting to do is easily accomplished with a Controller.

ReefKeeper 2 or a Aqua Controller Jr can be picked up for less than $300 and do a variety of other things as well.

Plus coralife has a poor rep with shorts, and causing fires.

twon8 · 11/07/2006, 04:43 PM

i agree completely, ive got an aqjr, it is well worth the price and has many other features, such as turning off your lights if the tanks gets too hot, control heaters and fans, or use as a wavemaker.

dougchambers · 11/07/2006, 06:05 PM

Another vote for the controller method. We LOVE our Neptune controller! - Doug

atvdave · 11/07/2006, 06:26 PM

Although controllers are nice, they cost $$$.

If you what to do it the geto way (like me) just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get 3 digital timers. They cost about $12 each depending on what type you get. Just make sure that it has the 3 (grounded) plug type.

GO COLTS. hehe

BigJPDC · 11/07/2006, 07:17 PM

Ditto atvdave, I use three timers for my photperiod, including moonlights at night and then briefly in the early morning to give me something cool to look at before going to work. Digital timers are very cheap and flexible.

I think we should be careful saying something has a reputation for causing house fires . . .

jp

WindyDayzz · 11/07/2006, 07:39 PM

i am setup with 3 timers plus moon lights. atinics then 50/50 then mh 10k

bigloggerhead · 11/07/2006, 07:48 PM

Glad I saw this thread. I was having the same dilemma setting up my new tank.

geckofrog · 11/07/2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigJPDC

I think we should be careful saying something has a reputation for causing house fires . . .

jp

I agree completely. However this thread justifies it:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=584645

BigJPDC · 11/08/2006, 07:14 AM

It might be a good idea to make that thread a sticky in the newbie forum, and not to say that any one product causes fires, but as a warning to take the electrical stuff seriously and to plan appropriately, regardless of how you want to wire things.

jp

11/07/2006, 04:00 PM	#1
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	Do I Need 3 Timers for Lighting Scheme? I have a daylights, actinics and moon lights. I have two Coralife digital timers. These timers have two sets of programmed outlets, and when one is on the other is off, and visa versa. There is no way to have both off at the same time. What I'd like to do is have actinics come on first in the AM (dawn), then have both actinics and daylights on during the day, then the daylights go off, actinics on (dusk), and then just the moonlights on during the night, BUT with a few hours of complete darkness (all lights off), just like it would be in the wild. The only way I can figure this can be accomplished is with 3 timers. Is there any other way to do it? It seems excessive to need 3 timers and I don't understnad why Coralife or others wouldn't make it so you could do this with 1-2 timers. __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

11/07/2006, 04:11 PM	#2
geckofrog Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 505	What your wanting to do is easily accomplished with a Controller. ReefKeeper 2 or a Aqua Controller Jr can be picked up for less than $300 and do a variety of other things as well. Plus coralife has a poor rep with shorts, and causing fires. __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: 75G,

11/07/2006, 04:43 PM	#3
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	i agree completely, ive got an aqjr, it is well worth the price and has many other features, such as turning off your lights if the tanks gets too hot, control heaters and fans, or use as a wavemaker. __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

11/07/2006, 07:17 PM	#6
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	Ditto atvdave, I use three timers for my photperiod, including moonlights at night and then briefly in the early morning to give me something cool to look at before going to work. Digital timers are very cheap and flexible. I think we should be careful saying something has a reputation for causing house fires . . . jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

11/08/2006, 07:14 AM	#10
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	It might be a good idea to make that thread a sticky in the newbie forum, and not to say that any one product causes fires, but as a warning to take the electrical stuff seriously and to plan appropriately, regardless of how you want to wire things. jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

11/07/2006, 06:05 PM	#4
dougchambers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,882	Another vote for the controller method. We LOVE our Neptune controller! - Doug

11/07/2006, 06:26 PM	#5
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	Although controllers are nice, they cost $$$. If you what to do it the geto way (like me) just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get 3 digital timers. They cost about $12 each depending on what type you get. Just make sure that it has the 3 (grounded) plug type. GO COLTS. hehe

11/07/2006, 07:39 PM	#7
WindyDayzz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Miami Fl Posts: 244	i am setup with 3 timers plus moon lights. atinics then 50/50 then mh 10k

11/07/2006, 07:48 PM	#8
bigloggerhead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 343	Glad I saw this thread. I was having the same dilemma setting up my new tank.