Best Timer?

[WaywardSon]

What's the best timer?

[Ozymandias]

one that works. i use the ones that thay sell at the LFS, this is the one (http://www.aquariumguys.com/lighttimer.html). and works fine for my CO2 and lighting

[Bk718]

yup ^^ those are good. But for some reason my lfs decides to over price them and charge $15-20 for it, while if you go across the street to walgreens/rite aid its $5-6

My best timer is a manual one called my finger :P

[WaywardSon]

Mine too BK. However, out of town with the fam is coming up and I want to get the cycle set / tested before I go.

[Ozymandias]

lol, ya have seen them expensive but thay can be found for cheap. most places around me has them for 9.99 the cheapest ive found is at petco. i've also used this (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100026919&N=10000003+90401+500025) on a tank and works just fine also.

[Bk718]

cfsinc if you are going to dish out $10 for a timer then might as well spend an extra $12 and get a nice coralife timer. With it you can control your lights, co2 and what ever else..

[BoredAgain]

The best timers are the cheap ones that work. I get mine 2 for $5 at Big Lots, currently using 7 of them...best ones I've used so far.

[WaywardSon]

Good idea BK - let's me put everything together.

[dirtydawg10]

I spend a little extra and get the timers that have batteries in them. That way if the power should happen to go out the timer will still be set at the correct time.

Like this...

Digital Timer (http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/code/312944.do?cm_mmc=NEXTAG-_-Indoor%20Timers-_-2008-_-312944&code-macs=MP8NEXTAG&code=MP8NEXTAG#)

[LeahK]

Wow, I'm glad I saw this post. I was about to get a timer from my lfs, who sells one model only for $37.99! I just assumed that was standard, but now I'll take the time to find a cheaper one....

[fishorama]

I had to get a $10 timer for a 3 prong light, all the cheapies I found are 2 prong, ok for the old lights.

[jmhart]

My problem with coralife timers is that they are 2 on, 2 off. For me, I was interested in timing:

CO2 on first
1st light on
2nd light on
2nd light off
1st light and CO2 off



So, for that, I would need to time 3 things separately. The coralife timers won't do that.

And then, if I wanted an air pump to come on at night or have a dosing pump, I'd need a 4th timer.

1st problem is finding a power strip that has the space for that many timers without blocking outlets:

Boom, problem solved: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100607231&N=10000003+90401


However, I didn't go with that one, I went a different route. I bought a 8 out strip where 6 of the outlets rotate. Works great.

Now, for some good timers. The ones mentioned above are nice. I like having the outlet come out the front of the timer. Most of the timers you find they all come out the side. To me, the best timer is one that has a grounded outlet coming out of the front with multple on-offs per day(which that one above doesn't do).

I have two such timers, but I was given them by someone when I bought a light from them. That person got the timers at Big Lots, but other than that doesn't remember the manfacturer so I haven't been able to find any more.



The coralife timers are perfect for a SW tank, which works out since that was the kind of setup they were designed for.