Timers for lighting?

[Pamelajo]

Now that I have plants in 4 of my tanks I think I should have timers for the weeks I am gone on holidays. Where do you get yours? What kind?
Thanks

[thegrandpoohbah]

Just go to the hardware store. The ones I use are made by Intermatic. You can get basic ones for about $12: http://www.intermatic.com/Default.asp?action=prod&pid=201&did=3&cid=43&sid=113. Fancy digital ones run about $20-30: http://www.intermatic.com/Default.asp?action=prod&pid=203&did=3&cid=43&sid=114. The ones with 3-pronged grounded plugs cost a couple bucks more but most lights these days will require it. You can also plug a power bar into it and run lights for multiple tanks off of one timer (that's what I do). They are rated for up to 1475 watts so are more than capable of handling lighting for 4 planted tanks.

[Toirtis]

Same here...just plain old Home Depot/Rona timers or powerbars with built-in timers.

[Pamelajo]

Thanks.

[Pamelajo]

Thanks again guys. I went out and bought three with the three prongs for $9.00 each at Walmart. My aquariums are not all together. I figure they will play double duty while we are gone, lights going off and on will lead people to believe some one is home. Even if it is only the aquariums.

[shaobo]

I got mine at Ikea.... it's like 2 for around $10.... worked great for me~~~

[jumpingtadpoles]

all my aquariums are what light my livingroom. I don't use any other lights at night, so someone better believe I am home, because I am.:laugh:

[CACAdmin]

While I was away for a week and a half, I put the lights on the 70g on a timer I have for outdoor Christmas lights (with a light sensor) so that lights would go on for several hours after dark. (I figured it would do double duty.) However, I obviously calculated wrong as I came home to a fair bit of black algae growth. My other tanks simply got daylight as I left the drapes open... they were all fine.