What kind of timer to buy

[eohippus]

Do I need to buy a timer which is specially made for aquariums, or can I buy any kind of timer to turn the lights on and off? My LFS has a timer for around $30, but Target has got timers for Christmas tree lights in the $7 range.

[rich311k]

Any old timer will work. I use indoor outdoor ones I got at Home Depot for 12.00 each. I got those because they were grounded.

[petluvr]

I bought one of the Brinks timers for like 8 bucks at wal-mart any timer will work:)

[Ryanstech]

The cheap timers work great (the ones you spin to set) but I prefer to spend the extra $5 to get the digital version which is easier to set and check.

[rocker92]

:iagree:

[dixienut]

are there any cheap store ones that hook up more than one?
as i need timers on all my tanks and have a few close together to hook up all 11 will cost a bundle, so still stuck with none
also i have a salt water one how can i use all 3 light with a cheepy? blue/daylight/moonlights
not to good a technical stuff but can follow directions very well,.......
sorry to hijack, ...

[rich311k]

I have a power strip plugged into mine, that is why I got the grounded slightly more heavy duty ones. I control 8 tanks with 3 timers. I have PC and T-5 lighting, so far a year or so later no problems.

[DAVIDFBT]

I've been using a brinks timer from walmart I bought for $6 for about 4 months now. Haven't had a problem with it yet.

[swinneyw]

i bought a out door timer that has 6 outlets at home depot for $19.00 i have three tanks so it works good for me

[BadFishPa]

walmart Brinks timer ,running 3 tanks off a light strip and extension cord

[rinmouse]

ach, I *hate* my spin to set timer. it never works right.
I stole the one that we used to use for plugging in the car for my other tank.

[abi88]

I agree that any ol' timer will do....but I prefer an outdoors one--it gives me a little bit of a sense of security!lol

[eohippus]

Thanks for the advice. One more quick question. I have a 14-gal BioCube. It looks like it plugs in with one cord (sorry, it's in my kid's room and it's hard to get behind the thing to check for sure). If that's the case, won't putting a timer on it turn the filter off, too?

[amosf]

Some of the cheap one's don't last long, but mostly okay...

[OldMan47]

Any timer with the right plug in it will work. I use the more expensive ones marked as "heavy duty" because they have the grounded plug and the cheaper ones don't. My lights need a grounded plug and I refuse to use one of the adapters for the ground. Mine were about $10 while the light duty ones wihtout the ground plug were about $4. No way would I pay $30 for a light timer.

[THE V]

Thanks for the advice. One more quick question. I have a 14-gal BioCube. It looks like it plugs in with one cord (sorry, it's in my kid's room and it's hard to get behind the thing to check for sure). If that's the case, won't putting a timer on it turn the filter off, too?

Yes it will.

I've never looked at these very closely (a little too spendy), but if it only has one cord then you can't use a timer.