Can I add a timer?

[shaunalynna]

I have the JBJ 28gal tank and the lighting sytem is not anything like I am used to. This one is a a black box that has fuses and an on/off switch. All you can do is turn it on/off. The moonlights are connected by a cord adapter piece that you can pull apart to shut off if you don't then they run with the daylights all at once. If I pull the adapter cord then they don't run during the day. I have a few questions about the situation.

With a system like this can I set a timer to the box? I want to set it so the day lights stay on for ? hours a day then shut off in the evening and the moon lights come on for ? hours an evening. With this box though as stated above the day lights and night lights run together during the day. Is that okay?, obviously I can't change it.

Once you shut the day lights off though as stated the moon lights remain on until you again pull the adapter cord to shut off. Will I even be able to set a timer up and get it on a cycle where I won't have to touch the cords period?

You can use this link I enclosed for my tank information and maybe someone can answer these questions. I think there is even a download and that will tell more about the box I am talking about. http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_28g_nano.html I keep wondering if it is possible to do and would like to if I can!

Few other questions..How lmany hours should the day light run daily and then the night lights? What would be the best timer to use?

Thanks

[Phishnoob]

Timers are great. Just make sure that you get a 3 prong one, so look carefully at Home Depot. The cheaper ones are 2 prong.

You can leave your moonlights on all the time then use a timer for the other lights. If you have separate white and actinics (blue) then you can use two timers.

With light ramp it up to where you want to be. I have blue and white PC's and turn on the blue to simulate dawn and dusk from 6 am to 9 pm then the whites are on from 7 am to 8 pm. The moonlights are on all the time.

[Seamore]

Perry is right simulate dawn and dusk for one hour each leave the moonlights on all the time, low wattage and LED's last so long no need to woory about running them, and run the daylights for 12-14 hours (depending on the lights and corals). Try to set the timers so you will have time to enjoy the tank with the lights on, so if you work late shift the tank's "day" to suit you. Enjoy!

[crvz]

Either Perry and Seamore didnt read the whole post, or I'm not understanding something. You say the lighting wiring doesnt just plug into the wall, right? So you need to figure out a way to set a timer that's not a simple plug-in-wall type, correct?

If so, can you get some pictures? I'm sure there's a way to wire in some timed relays to turn on/off the lighting, but we'll have to get a bit creative if it's what I'm thinking.

[Fly Guy]

im not sure exactly what you are saying...but from the sounds of it you need to rewire it a littel to do what you are wanting to do

so you could either rewire it and add a seperate plug top the moonlights and plug each of them into their own timer, or isntall a hardwired timer to one or both lines

I dont see any issues with the moonlihgts beign on all day. kind of a silly way for it to be set up from the factory, but shouldnt really matter just leaving them on

.....or maybe I dont understand the post either

[shaunalynna]

Lets see if I can simplify this LOL as I seem to have lost people just as much as I am. The lighting system is an all on one system box. This includes the day lights and moon lights. The moon lights are attached by a adapter like connection "piece hooked from hood" that then attaches to a piece attached to the electric box. There is no on/off switch for the moon lights just the adapter to unhook. The day lights have an on/off switch on the electric box and when turmed off automatically go to the moon lights. Unless I unhook the moon light adapter though there always on. So with this being said I am trying to figure out if I could use a timer and how. I don't mind having the moon lights on overnight then straight into the day lights but need to know can I do it and how should I. Hopefully this post made it a little more understanding on what I have.

[Fly Guy]

you need to bypass the moonlights to its own plug like I said earlier...although i probably ovecomplicated it, especially since they are already on quick connects it sounds like.

home depot might have the part you need. a simple standard plug with a female end on it that will connect to the male end of the moonlights you disconnect from the box

make sense??

you are essentially rewiring it.....but not really as you dont actually need to cut any wires.......

[Jadinop]

You need 2 timers to do what you want. Page 14 of the manual tells you how to hook the night lights up to a timer. Basically, you are going to plug the transformer (part 27 in manual) for the night lights into a timer. To control the daylights, you need to take the powercord from the box (actually, your metal halide ballast, part 28 in manual) and plug that into a 2nd timer. You leave the power switch in the on position and use the timer to turn the lights on/off.

[Fly Guy]

OR........someone could have a manual

[Jadinop]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

OR........someone could have a manual

It was at the bottom of the page of the link that was posted. Very small font and easy to miss.

[shaunalynna]

Well yeah, I did post the link to my tank for the specs and such. I knew this would be a complicated advice seeker so tried to make it easier. Jadinop looked over it obviously. I will have to pull my manua out and check it all out again cause I had seen nothing about it. Could have missed it though so will look again or go to the link I sent you myself!

[shaunalynna]

Okay here is a few pics of the box I am talking about and how the moonlight is set up. Hopefully this will help people understand and confirm an answer to my questions on how to do this.

Electric Box!


Adapter Connection Moonlights!

[crvz]

So does that box only control the MH light? If so, could you just leave the switch on and plug it into a simple wall timer?

The moon lights would have to be wired up to something a bit more complicated, but I wouldnt worry about leaving them on 24/7.

[Loverotties]

Only the 3 prong timers you should use and it's great when your awy and you don't need anyone to come twice a day to turn lights on and off(hard to find someone if you had to do it that way).

[shaunalynna]

No I was wrong everyone let me correct myself. The moon lights are there own seperate adapter, I just saw the diagram for my tank in the manual trying to solve this myself. I lately have just been pulling the little plug part nightly that comes from the top as showing in the above pic. As for the box that runs tha main light. So now to try and answer my own ?, I should be able to get a 2 prong timer and run both so they come on night and day right?