Reddit reviews BN-LINK 8 Outlet Surge Protector with Mechanical Timer (4 Outlets Timed, 4 Outlets Always On) - White

I have found that using a timer for my lights makes it a lot easier when it comes to keeping the photoperiod consistent. If you go to school/work, you can schedule the lights to be on when you wake up in the morning, turn off when you’re away, and then come back on when you’re home in the evening. It also makes it a lot easier for other people to care for your tank if you have to be away since you don’t have to worry about them forgetting about the light.

I have a few tanks and I’m currently using this one, and I love it, but it is a little more pricey than necessary if you only have one tank. I had one similar to this when I only had one tank, and this one is much more affordable.

Edit: you can also pick up similar outlet timers from hardware stores like Home Depot for relatively cheap if you are unable/unwilling to order things online!

I keep mine on a 12 hour cycle and I use something like this to keep them on that cycle without me having to remember or waking up early.

Just the lights in my opinion. You want air to still be circulating. I bought a couple of power strips that have 8outlets each, but 4 of them on each are set to a mechanical timer.

BN-LINK 8 Outlet Surge Protector with Mechanical Timer (4 Outlets Timed, 4 Outlets Always On) - White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWHQZX0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_L9uXDbERE7G0T if you are interested

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWHQZX0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The one I use, does as low as 15mins per hr.

probably a cheaper one out there not as fancy since you dont need so many outlets but havent looked

edit-boom.

https://www.amazon.com/iPower-Mechanical-Electric-Outlet-Interval/dp/B00BDGHJK4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1537840388&sr=8-4&keywords=timer+10+minute+intervals

Whoa whoa whoa-

>Is that because I had my filter plugged into a smart power strip, plugged into another older power-strip which was in turn plugged into the big fat yellow GFCI adapter brick?

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I'm not an electrician, but I know you should never plug in a power strip to another power strip. You can plug a power strip into the GFCI adapter, but no power strips into that power strip. From your other post it looks like you did this because of the lights needing to be on a timer, but there are timed power strips that have 1 side for a timer and the other side switched (always on/off), like this one.

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I wouldn't blame your heater/filter just yet because your electrical setup sounds suspicious. I 100% recommend calling an electrician to check out your setup, especially before you go buying other products. ^((Although the fluval fx line of filters are awesome)) Additional or other products probably won't help if there's an issue with how your cords/power strips are set up.

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I'm also not sure how you were priming your filter, or how that would cause an issue unless you were splashing water around or there were exposed wires or something? Was the filter turned on when you were closing it? Usually you need to close the filter and hosing before turning the filter on. For example, my filter that isn't self priming I would fill with water manually, secure the top with the intake closed and output open, turn it on then immediately open the intake. The filter was sitting in a bucket to catch water while I manually filled it and put the lid on, like you described I think, but there was no way for water to come in contact with anything electrical on it or the power cord. Is there a drip loop in the cord?

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Anyway I'm really sorry that happened to you, and I hope you can get it figured out soon!

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edit to add: I saw on your other post to a different sub something about the filter motor housing was faulty/leaky? Or the filter lid? The o-rings/gaskets on canister filters should be replaced every year, or at least checked/lubricated to make sure they're still making a tight seal. There could be a bunch of o-rings but usually there'll at least be one with the motor housing and one with the main canister lid. If your o-rings aren't making a good seal they could be letting air into the canister or water into the motor housing. Even if there's something wrong with your filter causing all this I'd still consult an electrician. Better safe than sorry, and if you don't do the wiring right your homeowner/renter's insurance probably wouldn't cover any fires or damages that would result.

Here is my setup!

Turtle: Female Northern Diamondback Terrapin currently at 4.5” shell length, will grow to 9”

Tank: 55 gallons

Lights: Zoo Med Aquatic Turtle UVB & Heat Lighting Kit

Filter: Penn Plax Cascade 1500 Canister Aquarium Filter

Heater: Fluval M Submersible Heater 200 Watt

Light Timer: Century 8 Outlet Surge Protector with Mechanical Timer

Basking area: Egg crate and zip ties, with flat rock inside

Live plants: 2 Anubias and 1 unknown

Substrate: Black Diamond Medium Blasting Abrasives

Crushed Coral: Carib Sea Florida Crushed Coral

Driftwood: petco

Rocks: local fish store

Water: tap water treated with ReptiSafe® Water Conditioner

In my decade of experience, digital always breaks, but also the "reptile" branded ones are crap no matter what.

Get the mechanical one with the wheel and pegs, I just searched on Amazon and it has lasted for a few years so far.

This one:
https://www.amazon.com/Century-Surge-Protector-Outlets-Timer/dp/B00MWHQZX0/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1496804317&sr=8-21&keywords=outlet+timer

Saucer - Big enough for the smart pot?
Remove excess water - Bucket Head
Pots off floor - Something like this?
powerstrip with built in timer - Found - Why use this over a stand alone timer? how many things need to be timed out?