Timers and Power Strips - Anyone recommend this Coralife?

saltman123 · 08/31/2006, 01:11 AM

I am setting up a 12 gallon Aquapod and want to get a timer for my lighting so I can turn them on and off automatically.

I've seen these 2 Coralife timers around and was wondering if anyone recommends them, or one over the other?
Coralife 1

Corallife 2 Digital

I will need to plug in the Daylight, the Actinic, moon lighting, a power head, and a heater.

I've also heard that one persons tank supposedly caught on fire because of one of these.

Thoughts?

saltman123 · 08/31/2006, 01:16 AM

Here is another link to them:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113351

Cody Ray · 08/31/2006, 02:13 AM

So far I am happy with my digital one

rcmike · 08/31/2006, 05:23 AM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=580767

Fountainhead · 08/31/2006, 06:13 AM

Yikes! Thanks for that link rcmike. I'd seen these and considered getting one for my QT tank. Think I'll pass. Thanks for the heads up.

siding88 · 08/31/2006, 07:39 AM

the one i bought from the lfs totally sucked paid about 60 bucks for it my 5 dollar cheapies work better

theop · 08/31/2006, 08:48 AM

The digital ones are good. I've been using 2 for about a year with no problems. The first one you linked to (with the wheel-timers) I would stay away from - because of the linked thread and because I have read many reports that the timers break easily.

The digital ones are UL listed and made by a different company. Also, I like that they have a battery backup for the timer.

kysmith · 08/31/2006, 10:24 AM

What are some alternatives to the coralife?

Has anyone had a digital coralife catch fire?

msrem · 08/31/2006, 10:34 AM

Great, just my luck! I ordered one of those the other day and its on its way here. Guess I will be returning it ASAP. Thanks for the heads up!

cnordstrom · 08/31/2006, 10:43 AM

I got mine shortly before the thread started about how bad they are. I had mixed success with it. There was trouble for a while with the timer not working correctly, but eventually it straightened out and I've been fairly happy with it. Of course, there's ANOTHER thread about there about the fire hazard these things pose, so I still wouldn't recommend them!

smokinprice · 08/31/2006, 11:35 AM

I used ones I bought at Walmart and they work just fine. Plus they are cheap!

saltman123 · 08/31/2006, 11:47 AM

Is the one that caught fire the digital or the manual timer dial style?

theop · 08/31/2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by saltman123
Is the one that caught fire the digital or the manual timer dial style?

Manual... I don't if it was single or double timer.

There are 3 listed on this page at marinedepot

I use the 1st one (Coralife Digital Power Center). I would not trust the 2nd or 3rd ones.

conefree · 08/31/2006, 12:49 PM

I have and use two of the digital powerstrips. They have been in use for 8 months, no issues at all. Plus the battery backup is nice.

Radicaljbr · 08/31/2006, 01:51 PM

I bought 2 of these things. One stopped working after about a month. The other lasted about two months.

the problem i had was that the timer never worked. I ended up super glueing the key down so that the timer would work. It then last a little while longer, but ended the times just stopped all together.

Some times cheaper is not better.

I now have a quality strip with a seperate times and everything is fine.

I WOULD NEVER AGAIN BUY THIS STRIP IN QUESTION.

JUNK!!!

STEELERFAN747 · 08/31/2006, 03:11 PM

I would think if they had a deffect they would have been recalled by now, or changes have been made on the newer version.

damac20 · 08/31/2006, 07:15 PM

I have one and it works fine for me (Digital)....I actually had a fire with the regular appliance timers and it burned half my house down....so I guess neither one of them are great.

saltman123 · 08/31/2006, 09:28 PM

Hmm,
Fire....for a fish tank.....not really worth it in my eyes. Maybe i'll just switch them manually.

WHAT IS A REPUTABLE BRAND that is worthy? I just need it for the lights really. Anyone know of a good one?

phishlet · 08/31/2006, 09:43 PM

Stay away from them. Not quality. Many reefers are very unhappy with them.

ERICinFL · 08/31/2006, 09:52 PM

I'm waiting for my third manual timer to come in (fortunately under warranty). The previous two worked for a few weeks and then wouldn't shut off at all, without turning off the main power switch. I called Energy Savers (the company that makes them) and they told me they had a bad run of the timers. They assured me that the problem/s had been fixed and the new batch of timers should be trouble free. When they work, they are great and I'm hoping my replacement will last me a long time.

DarthBaiter · 08/31/2006, 09:55 PM

My nondigital coral life stopped working after 3 months. It's on no materr what time of day or what the switch is set on. Only way to shut off the lights is to turn the red switch off.

merseyman · 09/01/2006, 03:37 AM

... just bought an intermatic digital timer/ 8 outlet power strip. can time 4 outlets independently. bought on ebay for $15, haven't received it yet, but I'll give you a review when it arrives ...

ycrazyy · 09/01/2006, 07:01 AM

I have 2 of the intermatic digital timer 8 outlet power strips and they have been doing great. The only small issue I have with them is the clock runs a little fast, so every couple of weeks I have to readjust what time it is but that is just a couple of button pushes so I don't mind.

saltman123 · 09/03/2006, 11:20 PM

I originally was going to purchase the intermatic and then found the coralife. I figured the coralife would be a better option since it was "aquarium specific", but I guess not from other peoples bad experiences.

funman1 · 09/03/2006, 11:55 PM

I love my digital "Light Timer" from Home Depot / Lowes.
$15.00 and works AWESOME. can run 2 schedules
Cheap, digital, Awesome.

~Steve~

08/31/2006, 01:11 AM	#1
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Timers and Power Strips - Anyone recommend this Coralife? I am setting up a 12 gallon Aquapod and want to get a timer for my lighting so I can turn them on and off automatically. I've seen these 2 Coralife timers around and was wondering if anyone recommends them, or one over the other? Coralife 1 Corallife 2 Digital I will need to plug in the Daylight, the Actinic, moon lighting, a power head, and a heater. I've also heard that one persons tank supposedly caught on fire because of one of these. Thoughts? Last edited by saltman123; 08/31/2006 at 01:27 AM.

08/31/2006, 01:16 AM	#2
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Here is another link to them: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113351 __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

08/31/2006, 02:13 AM	#3
Cody Ray Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,101	So far I am happy with my digital one __________________ Limit 1 stupid question per day Current Tank Info: Mr. Aqua 7.5g bowfront

08/31/2006, 05:23 AM	#4
rcmike Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Dickson, TN Posts: 3,369	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=580767 __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 110 oceanic, 2 Radion Pros, 2 MP40s, Apex controller

08/31/2006, 10:24 AM	#8
kysmith Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 600	What are some alternatives to the coralife? Has anyone had a digital coralife catch fire? __________________ GO HOKIES!! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon

08/31/2006, 06:13 AM	#5
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Yikes! Thanks for that link rcmike. I'd seen these and considered getting one for my QT tank. Think I'll pass. Thanks for the heads up.

08/31/2006, 07:39 AM	#6
siding88 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: looking out my window at the river Posts: 194	the one i bought from the lfs totally sucked paid about 60 bucks for it my 5 dollar cheapies work better

08/31/2006, 08:48 AM	#7
theop Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 1,493	The digital ones are good. I've been using 2 for about a year with no problems. The first one you linked to (with the wheel-timers) I would stay away from - because of the linked thread and because I have read many reports that the timers break easily. The digital ones are UL listed and made by a different company. Also, I like that they have a battery backup for the timer.

08/31/2006, 10:34 AM	#9
msrem Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2	Great, just my luck! I ordered one of those the other day and its on its way here. Guess I will be returning it ASAP. Thanks for the heads up!

08/31/2006, 10:43 AM	#10
cnordstrom Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 52	I got mine shortly before the thread started about how bad they are. I had mixed success with it. There was trouble for a while with the timer not working correctly, but eventually it straightened out and I've been fairly happy with it. Of course, there's ANOTHER thread about there about the fire hazard these things pose, so I still wouldn't recommend them!

08/31/2006, 11:35 AM	#11
smokinprice Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 224	I used ones I bought at Walmart and they work just fine. Plus they are cheap! __________________ Jeff Current Tank Info: 46G bowfront reef

08/31/2006, 11:47 AM	#12
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Is the one that caught fire the digital or the manual timer dial style? __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

08/31/2006, 12:49 PM	#14
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	I have and use two of the digital powerstrips. They have been in use for 8 months, no issues at all. Plus the battery backup is nice. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

08/31/2006, 01:51 PM	#15
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	I bought 2 of these things. One stopped working after about a month. The other lasted about two months. the problem i had was that the timer never worked. I ended up super glueing the key down so that the timer would work. It then last a little while longer, but ended the times just stopped all together. Some times cheaper is not better. I now have a quality strip with a seperate times and everything is fine. I WOULD NEVER AGAIN BUY THIS STRIP IN QUESTION. JUNK!!!

08/31/2006, 03:11 PM	#16
STEELERFAN747 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Miami Fl. Posts: 1,252	I would think if they had a deffect they would have been recalled by now, or changes have been made on the newer version. __________________ First they said "practice makes perfect", then they told me "nobody's perfect", so I just stopped practicing. Current Tank Info: 46g, 22" rimless starphire ReefSavvy cube, Speedwave DC 790 return pump, Custom acrylic sump/fuge, set of Tunze 6055 PH's with multi controller 7095, Cadlights PLS-100 skimmer, Apex controller, Tunze osmolator & Maxspect Razor 120w led light fixture

08/31/2006, 07:15 PM	#17
damac20 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 838	I have one and it works fine for me (Digital)....I actually had a fire with the regular appliance timers and it burned half my house down....so I guess neither one of them are great. __________________ "Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand."

08/31/2006, 09:28 PM	#18
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Hmm, Fire....for a fish tank.....not really worth it in my eyes. Maybe i'll just switch them manually. WHAT IS A REPUTABLE BRAND that is worthy? I just need it for the lights really. Anyone know of a good one? __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

08/31/2006, 09:43 PM	#19
phishlet Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,458	Stay away from them. Not quality. Many reefers are very unhappy with them. __________________ (reef a quar i um) n: Water-filled enclosure where a constant supply of money is thrown. Current Tank Info: 350 gallon Hex; 8 gallon nano

08/31/2006, 09:52 PM	#20
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	I'm waiting for my third manual timer to come in (fortunately under warranty). The previous two worked for a few weeks and then wouldn't shut off at all, without turning off the main power switch. I called Energy Savers (the company that makes them) and they told me they had a bad run of the timers. They assured me that the problem/s had been fixed and the new batch of timers should be trouble free. When they work, they are great and I'm hoping my replacement will last me a long time. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

08/31/2006, 09:55 PM	#21
DarthBaiter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 662	My nondigital coral life stopped working after 3 months. It's on no materr what time of day or what the switch is set on. Only way to shut off the lights is to turn the red switch off. __________________ "Fluke, I'm yo faddah, come join me on the DockSIde!" Current Tank Info: 90g reef display 30g sump, 75g display 10g sump, 30g cube display, 12g AP reef, 14g BC reef, and a 75g planted livebearer tank.

09/01/2006, 03:37 AM	#22
merseyman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: san francisco Posts: 381	... just bought an intermatic digital timer/ 8 outlet power strip. can time 4 outlets independently. bought on ebay for $15, haven't received it yet, but I'll give you a review when it arrives ... __________________ ...there's not necessarily always tomorrow... Current Tank Info: 120g, 4-sided starphire, "island" overflow. Being built!

09/01/2006, 07:01 AM	#23
ycrazyy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New York Posts: 327	I have 2 of the intermatic digital timer 8 outlet power strips and they have been doing great. The only small issue I have with them is the clock runs a little fast, so every couple of weeks I have to readjust what time it is but that is just a couple of button pushes so I don't mind.

09/03/2006, 11:20 PM	#24
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	I originally was going to purchase the intermatic and then found the coralife. I figured the coralife would be a better option since it was "aquarium specific", but I guess not from other peoples bad experiences. __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

09/03/2006, 11:55 PM	#25
funman1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 4,898	I love my digital "Light Timer" from Home Depot / Lowes. $15.00 and works AWESOME. can run 2 schedules Cheap, digital, Awesome. ~Steve~ __________________ Professional Pyro: NO REALLY; I get PAID to blow stuff up!! ~Steve~ Current Tank Info: 12G NANO