Using A Timer On The Aquarium Lighting

[mrpotts]

Hi!
I recently posted a question about using a timer for the lighting of the aquarium and 2 people were kind enough to reply. I went to buy a timer today but the packages all stated they cannot be used with fluorescent lighting. Any sugestions of what I should buy. Thanks

 

[Tetraking]

cheap plug timer device from a electrical store should do the trick, the type some people used to control household boiler systems.

 

[Sunny_Bee]

I have all my tanks on timers....never read the package close enough to see if they were recommended for flourscent lights or not....
I've been using them for about 5 years now with no issues.

 

[waterdrop]

Those warnings probably have to do with old fluorescent lights with have the type of switch that has to be held in while the lamp blinks to life. Most modern fixtures have electronic devices that take care of the starup process. If all you have to do is click your fluorescent button once and not hold it in to get it started then you have no problem.

I am using the cheapest type of those household timers with my fluorescent aquarium lights and they are working great so far. These are the mechanical types with a wheel that you turn to match the time of day and little plastic ears that you place on the wheel such that they will hit a little switch as they rotate by and either turn it on or off. I feel these mechanical types are the better choice in the long run as you will not ever need to fuss with finding a little replacement battery as you have to do with the electronic versions.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Sora]

I've found out that you could use "Fluorescent Tube Control Units" - But these will most likely do the job as a Timer, and if there is a concern - then I would recommend using a power surge. And I agree with waterdrop, most likely there to do with old fluorescent lights, because majority of people do use timers for there aquarium.

But if you wanted to get a fluorescent tube control units, there are different brands such as ultraseal t8 lightning controller, interpet light starter unit and many more. The prices of these run from £30-15.

~Hope this helps

 

[petertr]

I am using the cheapest type of those household timers with my fluorescent aquarium lights and they are working great so far. These are the mechanical types with a wheel that you turn to match the time of day and little plastic ears that you place on the wheel such that they will hit a little switch as they rotate by and either turn it on or off. I feel these mechanical types are the better choice in the long run as you will not ever need to fuss with finding a little replacement battery as you have to do with the electronic versions.

~~waterdrop~~

That's exactly what I use as well. Have done for years - works perfectly.

When you think about it, there's no difference between that, and switching it on at the mains.

 

[8inary]

I have used them also for my tubes, and now my T5 tubes. All ok and have been for circa 4 years

 

[Miss Wiggle]

aye technically you aren't supposed to use them with fluro tubes, you can buy ones that are specifically for fluro tubes (large aquarium shops will sell them) but predictably they are much more expensive.

I've been using the standard ones for 5 years now with no problems. Only time I've had an issue is when using a 250Watt Metal Halide light, it kept blowing the timer so we had to buy some sort of transformer/adapter thing for it.

 

[raptorrex]

any timer will do, Argos do a set of three for £9.00 or digital versions for £10 each.

 

[aaronnorth]

i prefer the digital ones. If there is a powercut it messes the normal ones up whereas digital has a backup battery built in.

 

[petertr]

any timer will do, Argos do a set of three for £9.00 or digital versions for £10 each.

Ikea do 3 for about a quid!

i prefer the digital ones. If there is a powercut it messes the normal ones up whereas digital has a backup battery built in.

Not the end of the world though

 

[Genesis]

I use them on 2 of my 4 tanks with no problems, have done for over a year.

 

[Ian H]

any timer will do, Argos do a set of three for £9.00 or digital versions for £10 each.

Ikea do 3 for about a quid!

i prefer the digital ones. If there is a powercut it messes the normal ones up whereas digital has a backup battery built in.

Not the end of the world though

Damn! i was going to say B&Q is cheapest at £4.50 for 3. Plus they aint that big so you can get a normal plug into the next socket (i couldnt with my old timer!!)

I've been using one for a while now with no problems so i would go for it!

 

[NonstickRon]

any timer will do, Argos do a set of three for £9.00 or digital versions for £10 each.

Ikea do 3 for about a quid!

Link?

 

[petertr]

any timer will do, Argos do a set of three for £9.00 or digital versions for £10 each.

Ikea do 3 for about a quid!

Link?

No idea - bought them in the store about a year ago in the Marketplace section. Sure ebay would be a cheap place to find some too.