Digital outlet timers are aquarium essentials. Outlet timers are inexpensive, and save you hundreds of dollars over years of use by automatically turning your aquarium lights on and off each and every morning and night. This is foolproof because you cannot forget to turn your lights on or off; outlet timers are reliable. Since outlet timers are reliable, this also means that your fish tank will have no algae outbreak due to the light being on too long.
Maybe most important of all reasons you should purchase an outlet timer for your aquarium is because of vacationing. When leaving your house for day or a week, it is great to know your fish and plants will be safe under proper lighting conditions. For example, before I had my own outlet timer, I had the light off for two days while I was gone. When I came back, all my corals and plants looked translucent and unhealthy. My clownfish and shrimps were pale and I was afraid they were sick and dying. My dragonet hid for the next few days and I thought he had passed away! Luckily he came out of hiding three days later. Not only can your fish become ill from days without light, but asking others to go to your house twice per day to take care of lighting is pressuring. It is enough to ask a friend to feed your fish once per day. Asking a friend to take care of your fish tank twice per day is over the top unless they live across the street and love taking care of fish.
Specific brand light timers may be purchased for your lights instead of outlet timers. If these exist for your light, example being Current USA, go for them. They do the same thing as outlet timers, except they gradually turn on and dim the lights at morning and night. However, outlet timers are great if your brand of light does not offer a light timer, or has a hard to use light timer. On this page I have devised 4 great, simple to use outlet timers. These can be used for any appliance, and work great for aquarium lights.
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| General Electric Touchsmart Digital Timer | Woods Indoor Digital Timer | Zoo Med Single Aquarium Timer | Zoo Med Aquarium Timer Powerstrip |
| Two Timer Outlets | Single Timer Outlet, Two Pack | Single Timer Outlet | Four Timer Outlets and Four Constant Outlets |
| View On Amazon | View On Amazon | View On Amazon | View On Amazon |
General Electric Touchsmart Digital Timer
The GE Touchsmart Digital Timer is rated 4.5/5 on Amazon. The product is made mostly for turning lights on and off, and does a great job with any light type including LED, incandescent, and CFL. This product is made for use indoors and outdoors and is grounded. This means it is both waterproof and stops worries of electricution, making it a safe, secure choice for aquarium use. This outlet timer has a dual outlet, which means you could plug another device into it besides your aquarium light, or you could have two aquarium lights or strips hooked up simultaneously. The device can be mounted so that it is not hanging off your power outlet. Never worry about heat, because this device does not get hot. Keep in mind, both plugged in devices will turn on and off at the same time.
Settings
To use, first scroll to simply set the current time. After setting the time, set the timer to turn on and off with one of three easy settings. The General Electric Touchsmart Digital Timer offers three modes of settings:
- simple daily preset options
- custom on/off times
- custom countdown mode
Simple Daily Preset Options:
The preset function times are 5pm-12am, 5am-8am, and 6pm-6am. To use the preset time mode, choose one preset that fits your schedule, and set it to either an off time or an on time. For aquarium use, you will want your light on for 10-12hours, and no more or else algae will bloom. This means the only preset that would work is the 6pm-6am setting.
Custom Times:
The custom times option allows the user to set one on time and one off time per day. This setting will repeat every 24 hours. To use, simple press the up and down arrows for hours and minutes. Do this for both the on time and the off time.
A good aquarium use time would be to set the light on for 10-12 hours while you are home. Have the light off when you are away and cannot watch your fish. Good times may include: 6am-4pm, 1pm-11pm, 4pm-2am, or 2am-2pm. Pick one of these, or make up your own time that suits your home schedule.
Custom Countdown Mode:
The countdown button works by selecting a time to count down from, starting from the time you set it to start counting. This means that, for example, if it is noon right now and I set the count down timer for 8 hours, the timer will turn my lights off in 8 hous, at 8pm.
To use this mode, simply use the arrows to set the time duration of countdown. The countdown button will light up so that you know this option is selected. Leave the buttons alone when you are ready for the device to start counting. The digital timer will save your countdown time, so that if you want to use this mode again for the same purpose, the time will still be set next time you select the countdown option. Keep in mind your countdown will not automatically start and stop every day. This function is for one-use purposes, so maybe not the best for fish tank lights unless you are in a odd situation.
Warranty
If the General Electric Touchsmart Digital Timer does not satisfy you, Amazon gives you a money-back guarantee for 30 days after your purchase. If more time passes and the device is defective or stops working, you may apply for a manufacturer warranty from General Electric on the item from the Amazon webpage.
Woods Indoor Digital Timer
The Woods Indoor Digital Timer mounts sideways, so that in a dual, vertical outlet it will cover one outlet. In a square, quadruple outlet, it will cover four outlets.
This outlet timer can be set to turn any device on and off once per 24 hours. The device features four settings used by pushing 4 push buttons.
Settings
There is one mode of setting: custom time. Before use,to set current time, hold "set" for two seconds, then use "+" and "-" keys to adjust the time, paying attention to AM and PM.
The Woods Digital Timer is great and reliable, but some users can be confused by how to use the settings. Here I will explain how to set the timer so that it turns on and off when you want using the 4 buttons:
- On: Ignore pre-programmed settings and turn appliance on
- Auto On: Turn appliance on and remain on until next pre-programmed off setting
- Off: Ignore pre-programmed settings and turn appliance off
- Auto Off: Turn appliance off and remain off until next pre-programmed setting
To correctly set your light, follow this example. Let's say you want your light to turn on at 1pm, and off at 11pm:
- Set Current Time: hold "set" for two seconds, then use "+" and "-" keys to adjust the time, paying attention to AM and PM.
- Program "On" Time: Press "prog". The display will change to "1 On --". Use "+" and "-" to set the time. Set the time to 1pm.
- Program "Off" Time: Press "set", display will change to "1 Off --". Use "+" and "_" to set the "Off" time. Set the time to 11pm.
- Exit "Prog" and Set: Press "Prog" to exit programming phase. Now, if the light should be on currently, press "+" to set the device to "Auto On" mode. Leave the "Off" portion on regular "Off" if this is the case. Conversely, if the unit should be off currently, press "+" to set the device on "Auto Off". Leave the "On" setting on regular "On" for this case. This means the light will automatically turn on or off at the auto time, until your regular "On" or "Off" setting overrides the system and turns it on or off.
If you have trouble setting the device, refer to the Instruction Manual on the Amazon site. After setting the device, it will repeat your settings each day, turning your light on and off and your desired time.
Warranty
The Woods Indoor Digital Timer comes with a 30 day money-back guarantee from Amazon if you are not satisfied with the product, or if it is defective. Also, the product comes with a manufacturer guarantee of 1 year if the product stops working or is defective.
Zoo Med Single Aquarium Timer
The Zoo Med Single Outlet Aquarium Timer features a 3 prong gounded outlet, so there is no worry of electricution. It will cover 2 outlet spaces because it is tall. Keep in mind you must have an outlet to plug the timer into near your aquarium, because it does not plug into an extension cord. The Zoo Med Single Timer has a manual override function if you want to turn your light on or off during a programmed time period. The device also has a LED lamp indicator, that is bright while your light is turned on.
Settings
The Zoo Med Single Timer has one setting: custom setting. This setting is also super easy to set up! Knowing that each black tab represents a 15 minute increment, follow this quick and easy guide to set the timer up for use:
- Set The Current Time: Keep in mind the clock is a 24 hour clock. The arrow on the face of the timer represents the current time. Rotate the dial so that the arrow points at the current time.
- Set The Time For Your Light To Be On: Keep in mind the clock is a 24 hour clock. Simply move the first black tab to the starting "On" time. Move the second black tab to the time you want the light to turn off. For example, if you want the light to turn on at 8am, and off at 6pm, set the first black tab to 8, and the second black tab to 18.
If any trouble arises, refer to the Zoo Med Aquarium Timer Instruction Manual.
Warranty
Under Amazon, you may return the Zoo Med Timer within 30 days of the purchase if it is defected or does not satisfy you. Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc, offers a 1 year warranty if the timer stops working or is defective in any way. They say a replacement may take up to 1 month to attain.
Zoo Med Aquarium Timer Powerstrip
The Zoo Med Aquarium Timer Powerstrip comes equipped with 8 grounded outlets in a grounded 3 prong receptacle to ensure your safety by protecting against electricution. Of the 3 outlets, 4 are timer-controlled, working on the same on and off time. The other 4 outlets are constantly on. This means that you can have 4 lights turning off and on, while having your aquarium filter, heater, and other necessities constantly turned on and keeping your fish healhy!
Settings
Like its Zoo Med partner above, setting the timer is simple and reliable. This timer, however, will control 4 outlets. The Zoo Med Aquarium Timer Powerstrip has one setting: custom setting. Knowing that each black tab represents a 15 minute increment, follow this quick and easy guide to set the timer up for use:
- Set The Current Time: Keep in mind the clock is a 24 hour clock. The arrow on the face of the timer represents the current time. Rotate the dial so that the arrow points at the current time.
- Set The Time For Your Light To Be On: Keep in mind the clock is a 24 hour clock. Simply move the first black tab to the starting "On" time. Move the second black tab to the time you want the light to turn off. For example, if you want the light to turn on at 8am, and off at 6pm, set the first black tab to 8, and the second black tab to 18.
If any trouble arises, refer to the Zoo Med Aquarium Timer Instruction Manual.
Warranty
Under Amazon, you may return the Zoo Med Timer within 30 days of the purchase if it is defected or does not satisfy you. Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc, offers a 1 year warranty if the timer stops working or is defective in any way. They say a replacement may take up to 1 month to attain.