Do You Use A Timer For Your Lights?

[jv24]

I was just wondering if there are many people out there that use a timer for their lights?
I want to use one but the packaging says not to be used with fluorescent lights and energy saving lights.
I just wondered if anyone as encountered any problems?
thanks

 

[Carlovel1]

I don't use timers, I do it...the manual way!

 

[onebto]

Yes I use two one for my fluorescent day lights and the other for my blue neon moon phase. Originally I had analogue ones but they are hard to sincranise efficently so I swapped to digital ones much better no problems what so ever

Regards onebto.

 

[BLACK DOG]

I tried a "electronic" timer and it popped the switching diode in a couple of days. after a bit of investigation I found out that this type can only be use on "restive" loads ie filament lamps. I now use a segment type timer from "Maplin".

 

[bullit]

i use the ones from asda

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, I use the ones from IKEA: I find that having regular lighting periods is better for the fish and plants than having irregular lighting periods. Also there is less chance of fish freaking out because they suddenly find a huge predator (you) right next to them.

 

[BigC]

YES, Using digital plug-in timers from Argos.

 

[Mellis67]

Yep.. A digital job with battery backup I got at home depot...It was around $12.00 and has been great

 

[Dudfield]

just brought two one for the light and one for my air stone as dont wont that on all the time just 12 outta 24 hours

my dad has been using a timer for his lights for years, was a cheap one when brought with 5 pounds of fuel lol and swears by it...

 

[Mr Spoon]

I use segment timers on all my tanks, had a problem with one of them, it got stuck and got quite hot so i replaced it and all good now.

 

[raptorrex]

I currently running the same as BigC. but i have found any of the plug in timers are fine, mechanical or digital.

 

[moochy13]

ive got 2 different mechanical ones, both from b&q, and they make a bit of a racket, i will be replacing them at some point, they used to be quiet, so they might be on their way out.

 

[KittyKat]

ive got 2 different mechanical ones, both from b&q, and they make a bit of a racket, i will be replacing them at some point, they used to be quiet, so they might be on their way out.

How old are they? One of my 6 year old ones started being noisy recently.

 

[moochy13]

only a matter of a few months till my first one broke. i got 2 at once and i'll admit, they were from the bargain bin so i wasnt expecting much. one went after about 3 months, the 'ratcheting' of the timer mech becoming louder and louder. yet the other bargain one is still fine. the replacement one i brought was B&Q brand i think, 6 quid and much larger and awkward to get on a multiplug. yet this more expensive one is now the one making the racket. not great as its in my bedroom, about 8 feet from my head.

so 6 years on one - id say you're doing better than me