Angela_96

Okay I need to regulate my tanks my husband and I both work in healthcare and we are on the weirdest sceds that you can imagine. So we don't confuse the poor fish we really need timers on the tanks so that the daytime lights can be turned off at certain times and the moonlights can be turned on, and so on. Is there some way that we can use the cheaper timers at walmart? Or do we have to buy the fishstore timers?

sirdarksol

If you have multiple outlets you can use, the security timers should work pretty well.
I don't know about this for sure, though. I've never tried it myself.

Angela_96

I thought I would try they are so much cheaper and they take high wattage, both of our larger tanks have plenty of outlets. We just really need to get them on timers soon! The poor fish can't be on our "shift work" sced.... I am a prn therapist and i work whatever they call me in (3-11 11-7 7-3) and my husband works usually 7 days a week as a paramedic so its up to me to get the lights on and off... the only thing I can think of is leaving them off some days until I get timers when I work, after all in the lakes they do have cloudy days w/ no light.

ShaynaB

I got regular timers at Lowes. They work just fine for one light. If you want to turn on different lights at different times I'm not sure how you'd work that out with a regular timer other than getting 2 timers. They're relatively cheap, though and they work great!

Tavel

the pet store timers are really cool because they switch between day and night, they're not just straight timers. You can plug your day lights into the day side, and the moon lights into the night side, and the timer will switch between them at the specified intervals. You may be able to find something similar online for cheaper.

(also useful for reptile owners who need to switch between lights and heaters at night.)

The Intermatic timers are very nice, though they're only on/off (so you need two timers for the two light cycles). you can get a two pack for $7...but the 3-pin units are a little more expensive.

Calamity Jane

All 3 of our tanks are on timers bought from the hardware store, they work just fine

crabbyabby

I use just a regular one bought at home depot and it works great. Had itfor several years now. LOVE it and I know that the fish appreciate it too!

andy65

I bought some that where on clearance from X-mass. They work great. I have my 2 lights and my air pump on one and them my moonlight on the other.

I think you would be fine with the kind for Wal-mart or from any other place.

Angela_96

Thanks.. I actually bought some at walmart.. I have to exchange them (I didn't pay attention when I bought them they need the 3 prongs) but I just bought yet another tank today so I need another timer now too... you know that MTS thing... another payday another fish.. next payday uh-oh no space need a tank....