dusk to dawn effect with controller

[RogerWilco357]

Does anyone use a controller to turn their lights on and off multiple times during the 24 hour cycle ? could use some help picking out the best controller for this either RFK or the Neptune Aqua Controller ?
Roger

 

[xmjxflipx]

those or the 2 best controllers that i know of.

 

[gilmour01]

either one would do that easily. if you just need it for a timer, go with a RKL for cost savings.

 

[inTank]

I would advise against the ReefKeeper unless you only want it for lighting. Yet a few cheap timers can give you that effect for 1/4 the cost. But a controller for your tank is a huge benefit. Love checking the perams online or with the blackberry. DA has a lot of issues.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I love my Reefkeeper Lite, its one of the best investments I have made in my 25 year reefing addiction. It is much more than a light time by far. It controls my lights, fans, heaters, calcium reactor, moonlights, Evolutions on a wavemaker, main pump and closed loop pumps for feeding or maintenance and much more I forget about. At $95 for the basic system you cannot go wrong and the possibilities are endless with up to 3extra modules for 4 total.
When i was using 10k or 12k 250w MH bulbs I also used VHO Super actinics for supplementation. I would bring the actinics on for an hour or so before the MH then shut them off an hour or so later just for the effect.

 

[SWINGRRRR]

I dont know how DIY savy you are, but have you looked at an Arduino? Mine does my lights with full sunrise, high noon, and sunset. I am working on getting clouds to work on certain days, just havent had time to work on programing. It can do more stuff, fans, heaters, etc with some relay boards.
What kinda of lights are you using? Are they just on/off, or are they dimmable?

 

[RogerWilco357]

yes the dusk to dawn effect is what i want to achieve will both controllers do this or is one easier to program than the other?

 

[SWINGRRRR]

The Neptune was extremely easy for me to program, but I have a BG in it. Thats what made programing the Arduino easier.
With the Neptune its just really IF, THEN statements.

 

[RogerWilco357]

simple programming like action and and reaction.

 

[ddinox64]

I just use two timers on a power strip. Four of the six come on at 11am. The other two about 2pm. Then the four go off around 7pm. Then the two go off about 8:30pm.

It's interesting to watch the fish start to swim in the vicinity of their sleeping spot when the fist set of lights go out. My pumps go off with my lights at 8:30 too.

 

[RogerWilco357]

i do this now but i am buying a unit to help simplify my wiring lol . and maybe keep my corals safe in-case the heater's module fails and stays on when it should be off. or when the heat is too high it can shut my light off in-case the timers fail and i am not around to catch it