Lighting cycle/power strip configuration

5xevy said:
Hi Yash. I tried a similar thing to what you're talking about and I had to break down and buy a different powerstrip. This is the original one I had (the first one in the link):

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...r_center_day_night_wavemaker_timer.asp?CartId=

i use the dual powerstrip on my tank and it works well. does it all and keeps a natural light cycle. i start the halides first because they start up slow and thats better for the fish(quick start is like someone coming into ur room at 3am and turning a floodlamp on in ur face). then my actinics come on about a half hour after that. and the same at night the actinics turn off half hour before the halide and then the lunar light comes on.
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Hi there 5xevy,

Thanks a lot for that link ... yeah ... I too have the first one and didn't know there was that third kind available. That will be perfect for my needs. That way, I can have my actinics come on an hour before and go off an hour after my daylights, and have the fuge light and moonlights come on when the other two go off.

I agree with the second paragrah as well ... its not like I don't know how to or don't want to turn on and off the lights manually ... with work and stuff, its pretty much impossible to keep a set light schedule (which I feel is quite critical to the tank) without having timers.

Cheers!
Yash
 
LoL!! Actually, 5xevy also noted in his/her post that they used the 3rd strip in the link, which coincidentally is the one you have as well. I think I was replying to 5xevy's post as you posted yours and my reply appeared to be directed to you. LOL !! Its all good though :)
 
just one thing, there is no natural light cycle. There are fluctuations in the real envorinment they are in.
 
Victorio said:
just one thing, there is no natural light cycle. There are fluctuations in the real envorinment they are in.
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As Niko pointed out, it is fairly obvious that there is a day-night cycle. I agree that the length of daylight hours increases/decreases as the seasons change, but that is a very small change on a daily basis. Depending on which part of the world you are in, you might have to change the timer only a couple of times a year, when the DST kicks in/out, and possibly one or two other times to account for the minor daily changes.

Tell me honestly ... since you are a proponent of manual light operation, do you turn on and turn off your lights at the SAME time EACH AND EVERY DAY of the year?? Cos the sun sure rises and sets at the same time everyday (give or take a few minutes). If you don't or can't mimic that, you are admitting a need for what you called rocket science!
 
atnixon said:
Hey there good buddy....long time no speak...well, each on their own seperate timers...My Actinics come on at 8am till 12...Then Halides on from 11:30am till 5pm, actinics back on at 4:30pm till 9pm...then if i want to view the tank after that, i use a moonlight kit...

Niko
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Start out how much light should I burn at first? 6hrs I see your time set-up and I going to set it up all wrong
 
I used to manually turn on my T5s then run my MH's on a timer that didn't even have a stop pin, so I ended up turning off the lights manually for a while. couple months later I received a free digital timer which really saved me some time although I still had to manually turn my lights on and off.

Now, I bought myself an AC Jr with the DC8. I'd rather have one of these controllers than a whole bunch of mini timers. With this controller I've been doing this schedule:

10:00am- T5s on
10:30am- Koralia 4 on(other 2 constantly on)
4:30pm- MH #1 on
4:45pm- MH #2 on
10:30pm- Koralia 4 off
11:30pm- MH #1 off
11:45pm- MH #2 off
12:00am- T5s off

I set my lights to turn off at a later time in order to save as much as possible on the electric bill, and that most of the power used is off of the peak hours.
 
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