Vacation timer for feeding rotifeast, phytofeast, etc

M

magma01

New member
I've been looking around at hardware stores for a timer that will turn off power when I press a button and automatically turn power back on after a set period of time. I have yet to find one.

Randy told me at the BACFM that people use that type of timer so they don't forget to turn their return pump/skimmer back on after feeding.

Anyone know where I can find one of these timers?
 
I just got one of those generic heavy duty timers. You can use a cheapie Coralife, or an Intermatic.

Just set all the positions on the timer to be on except for 1 or 2 or them. Those will allow the timer to be off for 15 -30 minutes. Then when you want to feed your tank, turn the clock dial until the power to your pumps go off. The timer will go back on after 15-30 min.

I finally got set up that way after waking up at 4am one too many times realizing that the pumps were off.
 
You will most likely find one of these timers either in A) The electrical cords/surge strip area of any home depot store. or B) Where they have outdoor lighting products like those little lanterns. I usually like option B because they are "heavy duty" ones and typically even have a little piece of cord attached to plug them in so they don't take up too much realestate on any surge strip or power plug.
 
I have looked for a while for the same thing. There doesn't seem a standard switch that can do that without modification. Let me know if you find one. I use to have mine set up so that a regular timer switch (that keeps the power on for a set time) energized a relay that broke the circiut to the return pump. When the time ran out, it denergized the relay, which turned the pump back to on. Now I use my ACII, but am thinking of going back to the relay on the new tank.

Let me know if you find the switch, I looked for a while for one. If I decide to do the relay again, I could make you an extra.
 
Not to put down your dohickey qwiv, but a simple wall timer (NOT DIGITAL) will do that job, simply remove all but the "on" plastic switches, and when you want to turn your timer off move the plastic switch towards the power toggle for whatever set time period, and manually turn off the timer, in an hour or whenever it'll switch back on.
 
Totally true, but what if your return pump is down stairs and your to lazy to go down there?? Plus explaining how to use that to someone dumb can be a pain. It is cheaper and works!
 
Ok, how is explaining yours less easy than mine? Especially if they're dumb?? :)

Not to mention my solution costs whatever a timer goes for nowadays
 
I have looked for one of these for years, with no success. I mostly use the manual timer idea, but I could really use a couple 'timed button that turns things off when pressed'.

While we are on the wishlist, I could also use a temp modulated fan speed control that turns the fan faster as it get hotter. You have find them that make the fan spin faster as it gets cooler, but not hotter.

:D
 
Icecap fans do just that :D

I have a circuit board given to me that does just that as well Rich. Also, try looking into places like Tek Supply/Farm Tek, Grainger, Mc Master Carr, etc. I've seen em :D

For the ultimate "need to have item turned back on after X amount of time" device, I use a push button timer usually found in bathrooms that does 15 min intervals. I have it hooked up to a relay, so all's I need to do is hit the amount of time I want it off for :D Have plans, willing to share... Hmmm, I guess I'll clean up the plans and post them on BAR's resource forum :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7771824#post7771824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
Icecap fans do just that :D
Click to expand...


Yep, but they are too small for my application! :D

I have a circuit board given to me that does just that as well Rich. Also, try looking into places like Tek Supply/Farm Tek, Grainger, Mc Master Carr, etc. I've seen em :D
Click to expand...

I recently spent almost two full days searching. No luck!
Is that circuit board getting dusty? :D

For the ultimate "need to have item turned back on after X amount of time" device, I use a push button timer usually found in bathrooms that does 15 min intervals. I have it hooked up to a relay, so all's I need to do is hit the amount of time I want it off for :D Have plans, willing to share... Hmmm, I guess I'll clean up the plans and post them on BAR's resource forum :D
Click to expand...

Yes please!
 
That is how I do it to Gresh. It works great and is easy to do. If isn't cheap though.
sfsuphysics, I can tell someone "push the button that says FEED and then feed the tank." You have to say, "Look for the timer that the return pump is plugged into (some tanks may have a few of those times), turn the timer the opposite way and count backwards and set the timer to X minutes. (if they understand that, you may continue) Feed tank." I know it isn't that hard, but the peopleaht t watch my tanksa are really dumb. Plus my system at the shop is very complicated and only I know exactally how it works. I need to make it extra easy.

Thales: What load and voltage do you need the circiut for the fans, I wil see is I can get one that is easy.
 
I think the bathroom timer Gresham mentioned couple with a normally on relay may have to do.
Does the bathroom timer have large enough of the time period for feeding though? I would think that the bathroom timer has a max of 30 mins or so. For us feeding the tank, we would probably need at least 1 hour.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7772564#post7772564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Qwiv
That is how I do it to Gresh. It works great and is easy to do. If isn't cheap though.
sfsuphysics, I can tell someone "push the button that says FEED and then feed the tank." You have to say, "Look for the timer that the return pump is plugged into (some tanks may have a few of those times), turn the timer the opposite way and count backwards and set the timer to X minutes. (if they understand that, you may continue) Feed tank." I know it isn't that hard, but the peopleaht t watch my tanksa are really dumb. Plus my system at the shop is very complicated and only I know exactally how it works. I need to make it extra easy.

Thales: What load and voltage do you need the circiut for the fans, I wil see is I can get one that is easy.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Its just for a 20 inch box/cage fan, not more than 1 amp at 120. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7773846#post7773846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thales
Cool. First one I have seen and I have been looking! I did find it for 119, but that still seems kinda pricy. :D
Click to expand...

But now you know what to search for :D

I may have another option for you, we'll talk soon ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7773875#post7773875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thales
Thanks! Its just for a 20 inch box/cage fan, not more than 1 amp at 120. :D
Click to expand...

Doh, you would have to be using AC. That makes is tougher. The thing Gresham found, really isn't to bad considering the build. I could probably make a simple step one that had 2-3 speeds for cheaper.
 
The commercial circuit board I have, works like that. It has 3 speeds basicly, it's not variable, like the one I posted a link to. It's made for 20amp circuits, so it's got a pretty beefy design.
 
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