timer (1 Viewer)

[monica]

what kinda timer do I need to run 4 maxi 1200 and interval 1 min appart?

 

[Wildfire]

what kinda timer do I need to run 4 maxi 1200 and interval 1 min appart?

Something digital. The "best" analog timers I've seen get down to 15 minute intervals. If you want more granularity than that, you'll need a digital controller, or an X10 setup to fire the commands.

You MIGHT be able to find a RedSea WaveMaster (I think that was the name) which would cycle up to four pumps / powerheads. I don't remember what the granularity was though.

Quick question:

Why the short cycle?

 

[monica]

well I saw a thread on the dfwmas site where he had his intervals 1-2 min apart in a 5' long tank and he was very please with it, so I figure with a 6' long tank I figure 1-2 min would do good.

what would the suggested intervals be ?

 

[Wildfire]

I think it's all subjective, but I like 5 - 10 minute intervals myself.... I fear that on a "short" interval you end up getting too much of a tennis-match effect in the tank. A few minutes on, a few minutes off, creates a good chaotic motion.

Also, I REALLY like hitting powerhead streams off of stuff to create chaos. I have two 3/4" outlets pointing straight forward so they hit the front glass and cause a "roll under" effect of the water. But, since they are only 8" apart, they also hit each other and create a really nice disturbance pattern with upwells and downdrafts that seems to "mix and swirl" the food as it hits the stream.

I like art in the water... not just flow... but then, I'm really spoiled (and anal) about how things get set up.....