Light timer

[NickC]

Hi all. So I’ve got a new build that’s all set up and has been running for a couple months. Here’s my thread,

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/75g-sps-build-on-the-cheap.490120/

The tank has been set up long enough that I want to start running my lights, slowly increasing photo period over the course of a couple of months. Lighting is one actinic lumilite strip, one 50/50 lumilite, and two 250w radiums.

So far I’ve been running the LED strips for 3 or 4 weeks, switching them on and off manually. The big lights only get turned on for an hour or so about once a week if I really want to sit and look at the tank.

My dilemma is how to time the lighting without using 3 separate timers, and without buying a reef controller. Anyone know of a timer with multiple timed outlets that would work for me or have any ideas? Ultimately I’d like to run the lights like this,

8:00am actinic on
10:00 am actinic and 50/50 on
12:00 LED’s off, halides on
8:00 pm halides off, actinic on
10:00 pm actinic off

In previous systems I’ve always ran mh only, t5 only, or mh/t5 combo. With those setups I only needed two timed schedules max, so any ideas would be great. Part of me is thinking about just ditching the 50/50 strip and running it more similarly to my old tanks with mh/t5.

Thanks!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Not sure but some garden sprinkler systems must have timers. I just use a power block with multiple timers if necessary. Cheap way to go. You do have to change them if you want shorter to longer periods, but it works till you can afford any type of controller. I had to do this when my Apex died. No big deal.

 

[NickC]

Not sure but some garden sprinkler systems must have timers. I just use a power block with multiple timers if necessary. Cheap way to go. You do have to change them if you want shorter to longer periods, but it works till you can afford any type of controller. I had to do this when my Apex died. No big deal.

Thanks for the response. I thought about replacing one of my power strips and sticking timers on a new one, but I’m not sure 3 timers would fit on a single strip. They’re pretty big, and having multiple strips and multiple timers could make my already messy wiring even messier. Although, that’s probably what I’ll have to do.

I was hoping there was a product like a power strip with an integral timer that could do what I’m trying to accomplish. Here’s a pic of my wiring just for fun,

 

[DeniseAndy]

I feel your pain. With multiple tanks, sometimes extension blocks and lots of wires is all I can do. Really does not look the best. Just make sure all lines from tank (no matter what) have a dip lower than outlet and the outlets are in some way protected from water and salt creep.
There may be something out there. Just have to google it to see. Just do not look for only aquarium stuff.

 

[NickC]

I feel your pain. With multiple tanks, sometimes extension blocks and lots of wires is all I can do. Really does not look the best. Just make sure all lines from tank (no matter what) have a dip lower than outlet and the outlets are in some way protected from water and salt creep.
There may be something out there. Just have to google it to see. Just do not look for only aquarium stuff.

Absolutely. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I’m sure I’ll figure something out.