Wifi controlled power strip timer

[VTBig053]

I am a T5 newb and have some questions about photoperiod with these lights. With my LEDs (AI Prime HD) on my nano tank I can program sunrise/sunset with ramp times etc. Is it necesssry to run T5s in the same manner? If so, has anyone used a wifi controlled with independent AC timers (see link below) power strip to control a T5 fixture with bulbs on different channels and independent plugs? Seems like this should work but wondering if I am missing something obvious. Thanks!

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0719CMWGR/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1507949334&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=wifi+controlled+timer+power+strip&dpPl=1&dpID=41Vp0IYmnuL&ref=plSrch

[YHSublime]

Yeah, I've done it like that on my Apex before. You just need to lay the bulbs out on the channels you are using, I don't believe you can ramp them up like you can LEDs with the power strip. You can turn one channel on first, then another channel later. I had the blues hooked up to one, whites hooked up to the other. Reefbrite came on first, then blues, then whites. I like that the one you linked above is compatible with Alexa (What a time to be alive!)

 

Be careful jumping from LED's to T5. It's a lot of light. 

[VTBig053]

Yeah, wasnt expecting the full ramp effect just being able to go two bulbs for a few hours then all four few a more and back to two then off. I was thinking Actinic LED strip first, then 2 blue bulbs (blue plus), then the two full spectrum (aquablue and purple plus), then pack to blues only, to LEDs, and then off. Ramp up/ramp down lite!

 

It's going over a brand new tank, so that shoud help some with adjustment since the majority of the livestock wont have been under my LEDs previously.

 

How long of a photoperiod do you recommend? How long at full intensity? I know this is somewhat dependent on what I am keeping in the tank but is there a general rule of thumb for SPS, LPS, softies, etc.?

 

Alexa compatibility is pretty neat except my two year old has figured out how to use her already. Dont need him messing with my light schedule! Hah.

[tygger]

Prob depends on how long you want full spectrum for... Say if you wanted 8hrs full, then maybe do an hour of each "ramping" up and down for about a 12hr period.

 

If you don't need wifi and alexa compatibility, I'd probably pass on the one you linked unless it was UL approved or something similar.

[tygger]

I used these in the past with good success. If I remember correctly, they were made my Intermatic.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MZIX6I1/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507986642&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=astroai%2Btimer%2Bswitch%2Bdigital&psc=1&th=1

[VTBig053]

Thanks for the other suggesting. Wifi control is not 100% necessary but thought it would be convenient to be able to control it from my phone. I was looking at the four outlet wifi one because it was cleaner than plugging into the secondary outlet timer and then into the powrler source.

 

Thanks for the photoperiod suggestion also. I was planning for 8 hrs but wasnt sure if 6 hrs at full intensity would be too much. For comparison I only run my AI Prime over my nano at full intesnity for 3 hrs out of a 12 hour period. The rest of the time is ramp up/down. The T5 is a 36" 4 bulb fixture hoing over a 20L so I have it hung pretty high at the moment. I'm sure I'll need to make some adjustments once there is coral in the tank.