Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Do It Yourself => Topic started by: mrbh22 on February 03, 2016, 10:16:42

Title: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: mrbh22 on February 03, 2016, 10:16:42

So today i wake up to a white tank. It looks like i had a serious sandstorm. I didnt know what happend until i looked at my dosing pump and it was running at 930 am. The timer is programmed to run for 5 mins every hour from 11pm-6am. So no reason it should be on. I look at the timer and the program has been changed all on its own. It was going to run forever. The timer failed in the on position.  I got the timer from menards. Looking for a few reliable options. Show me what your workin with. :)

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: mrbh22 on February 03, 2016, 10:19:51

I checked my alk and it was at 10.5. I usually run it at 9ish. Where the hose dripped the solution there was like a frothy white ball. I used the baster to suck that foam out and now im off to use a filter sock and blow all the rocks off. I hope i dont loose my coral

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: AJ on February 03, 2016, 10:28:43

Your coral should be fine with alk at 10.5.  They won't be happy for a few days, but it is survivable.  For my timers I use Titan Controls Apollo series.  They control my dosing pumps and lights. 

Another thought, Paul (wall_tank) makes an auto shut off timer for dosing pumps.  So, when the pump turns on, the timer starts and if it continues beyond time x (set by you, could be like 1 minute) it will turn your pumps off, and henceforth saving your tank.  Not sure if he is interested in building these for people or not, but I do know that he made a post on here about how he builds them.

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: mrbh22 on February 03, 2016, 11:44:43

Where did you get the timers? Does anyone local sell them or do i need to order online

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: Kenn on February 03, 2016, 11:51:06

I would suggest doing some water changes to get everything back in balance asap. That big of a swing all at once can be very damaging in some cases.

Here is a link to give you an idea what's going on chemically..


 www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: mrbh22 on February 03, 2016, 11:56:20

Luckily i was in the process of doing a waterchange today. Im going to get 25more gallons and do a 50% water change as soon as i can get to the store

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: Kenn on February 03, 2016, 11:56:46

Also here is the link to Paul's timer..

http://www.ohioreef.com/index.php?topic=19993.msg168616;topicseen#msg168616

Title: Re: What programmable timer do you use?
Post by: AJ on February 03, 2016, 11:57:52

Quote from: mrbh22 on February 03, 2016, 11:44:43

Where did you get the timers? Does anyone local sell them or do i need to order online

I have always ordered them from Amazon, with prime they should be here before the weekend.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004JKBIEY/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1454518466&sr=1&keywords=titan+controls+apollo

Also, if you do buy this timer, when you receive it, plug it into an outlet for 2-3 hours so the internal battery can fully charge (it does hold settings during power outage).  After that, push the reset button, then program the current time and schedule.

I agree with Kenn, a water change will help reduce the risk of coral issues.