Lights on a Timer

A

Aquarist77

AC Members
Jul 24, 2010
40
0
0
Ontario, Canada
Hi all,

I've been noticing that a lot of people on here have their aquarium lights on a timer. I thought this would be a good plan for when I'm away for a few days so all I need is to leave a weekend feeder, but I'm not sure how it would work on my aquarium...

I have a fluorescent light in the hood that came with the aquarium. I don't know anything about it, but to turn it on you have to hold the button while the bulb warms up and then release it to get the bulb to come on.

So I was thinking a standard wall timer that turns power on and off to the outlet won't work since when the power comes back on the light won't turn on without the proper timing and sequence...

How is everyone else doing this?

Advice?
 
Have you tried just pressing the button (and not holding it)? Also, have you tried the timer to see if it works?
 
Last edited:
Most light fixtures are rapid-start, nowadays. Using timers usually isn't an issue.
 
Skywalker23 said:
Have you tried just pressing the button (and not holding it)? Also, have you tried the timer to see if it works?
Click to expand...

Yes. I tried just quickly pushing the button and it just flickers and stays off.

It's an older aquarium and the light fixture came with it, so I don't know if it has the rapid-start technology mentioned.

I will see if I can dig out an old timer to test-run it, but would rather not buy a timer until I know it will work.
 
If you do not have plants you do not need a timer. Also if you are only gone for a few days, you do not even need to feed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom