Lighting Controller Options ???

KrautBurner · Sep 9, 2011

hello all,

I am in search of a good lighting timer setup.
I'm currently running one of the power strips with two mechanical timers
(but every once and a while, it dosn't turn my lights off, and they stay on for a day or so) as well, it dosn't seem to keep time well.

in the past, I had a coralife digital power strip, and it stopped working after a couple months.

I'd like to be able to run my actinics seperate from my MH's
possibly 2 cycles/day (short cycles)

I've been considering the ReefKeeper Lite

is there anything else I should be looking at?

Doe5ia14 · Sep 10, 2011

I've used simple intermatic appliance timers in the past and they worked just fine. They will work for 2 cycles a day also. If you're looking for a controller to use for other things such as temp control, a reefkeeper lite would probably the cheapest option for controllers.

KrautBurner · Sep 10, 2011

I like the idea of the temp control
and the fancy display

really like the idea that it can shut off my MH lights when/if the temp gets too high
but it's not a requirement

Doe5ia14 · Sep 10, 2011

Yes, that's a very good benefit about the controller with MH lights. You can find reefkeepers lites used fairly cheap pretty often.

KrautBurner · Oct 13, 2011

Doe5ia14 said:
Yes, that's a very good benefit about the controller with MH lights. You can find reefkeepers lites used fairly cheap pretty often.

that's what I'm hoping

Bandomo · Oct 13, 2011

I would definitely go with a Reefkeeper lite. Plus, I've heard way to many horror stories of heaters blowing up and crashing the tanks. I learned that the hard way!! I would never ever ever ever run a heater on its own without the backup of a controller. A $90 investment for a used Reefkeeper is the BEST investment I've ever made.

wbond · Oct 13, 2011

Definitely RKL. I have had two heater failures, both burned out. Luckily I had setup my lights to go off if the temp dropped to low, that way I would know quickly. Can't do the sound alarm as it annoys the dog.

Hahnmeister · Oct 15, 2011

Be sure to use heavy duty timers or relay switches that are rated for inductive loads. Without this, putting a couple or more halides (or T5's) on a timed outlet will slowly kill the outlet, and if its enough, like three 250wattHQI/M80 ballasts, it can actually catch fire. I saw it happen first hand... brand new Aube switches that weren't 'HD', one of which was used with three of the previously mentioned ballasts... first time firing up and it started sparking with a fire to soon follow. Then he listened to my warning.

IBEW41 · Oct 15, 2011

if you are looking into controllers then save up and get an apex it send emails if something wrong or you can ck on your tank with your smart phone

kuyatwo · Oct 15, 2011

IBEW41 said:
if you are looking into controllers then save up and get an apex it send emails if something wrong or you can ck on your tank with your smart phone

+1 or you can usually find them on the board for around 350 shipped that a whole setup

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

KrautBurner · Oct 20, 2011

I'm a cheep *******,

not gonna spend $350 on a controller to have it email me

the RKL is what I'm leaning towards

greg0385 · Oct 20, 2011

Apex jr, it cost just little more than the rkl but i hear you can look at your tanks vitals using a smart phone or have it txt your phone with alerts.

Spsfan · Oct 20, 2011

KrautBurner said:
hello all,

I am in search of a good lighting timer setup.
I'm currently running one of the power strips with two mechanical timers
(but every once and a while, it dosn't turn my lights off, and they stay on for a day or so) as well, it dosn't seem to keep time well.

in the past, I had a coralife digital power strip, and it stopped working after a couple months.

I'd like to be able to run my actinics seperate from my MH's
possibly 2 cycles/day (short cycles)

I've been considering the ReefKeeper Lite

is there anything else I should be looking at?

I personally had the same problem with the same you're of timer an hated it I would wake up at night am the lights would be on I called on the warranty they sent me a new one same problem so I went to the reef keeper light an love it I highly recommend it for a lighting controller