Lights on a Timer

bradlgt21 said:
Like Jpappy said. Turn the light on, then while the light is on go pull the plug out of the wall. Then plug it back in and see if the light comes on. That is all a timer is doing is breaking the circuit when it's off and connecting it when it's on. Just like unplugging and plugging it in.
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Yes, which is why it won't work. Every time the power to the fixture is cut the light goes out and to get it back on you have to prime the bulb and release when it's ready.

There are no plants in there, just fish. Can I leave the light on for a few days, or will it get too hot?

(A few days is leaving tonight and coming home Tuesday - still don't need to feed??)
 
If there are no plants then I say no light at all. Algae just grows and heat builds up with a 24 hour light cycle. No light is absolutely fine to fish. My QT tank doesn't have a light, I bring a lamp over when the are feeding mainly for observation so I can make sure they are eating properly and they don't look sick. Once they are done eating light goes back off and they get only the light that comes in the front. Fish are actually calmer when they are in low light situations. Think about lakes and streams that these fish come from, how many lakes have you seen as crystal clear as a fish tank?

They should be fine without food, I would feed them well today, maybe twice just to make sure they are nice and full. As long as they are healthy and well fed when you leave they will be fine, hungry but fine when you get back.
 
If you have a fixture where the light does not come back on after a power loss, either replace the fixture or at least replace the ballast using a standard electronic ballast designed for the number and wattage of lamps that you have. You will need to follow the wiring diagram that is usually printed on the ballast to get things right because they are not wired the same as the old arrangements that require you to hold down the button. I have had to do that once because I do run my planted tanks on timers and had an older fixture like you have now. Depending on the space inside the fixture, it might even be easier to mount the new ballast on the back of the light strip where it won't be seen but will get good air flow for cooling.
 
Aquarist77 said:
The tank is in the basement with no windows, so no light other than on the top of the aquarium. Don't the fish need some light too...eventually?
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Fish are shipped in sealed boxes with no light. A few days is OK==Even for plants.
 
These youngsters don't remember when all fluorescent fixtures worked exactly like yours does! Or when a fluorescent fixture was a luxury! If you're handy all you need to do is replace the ballast with a modern one. You won't need the starter then at all. Your fish are fine for a week with no food if well fed up to that point.
 
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