Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Does anyone have a good timer to use for a barrelponics system indoors that isn't going to die after 3 months?

The first one we got was from home depot, cost about 20$, with 8 outlets (4 constant, 4 timed). The timer itself doesn't function correctly. We tried resetting the timer and it didn't work. It cannot keep a schedule to save itself.. >.>

But, we also have high humidity in the closet where our indoor system is set up (between 74% - 84%) and just installed our new dehumidifier today.

Will update on humidity levels as they change. Could high humidity be the reason my timer is out of whack?

HELP!

Humidity is down to 55%, I'm running my lights at night to save power. Thinking about trashing my timer strip and not using timers since so far the two that we've bought have crapped out.

In my town at least at Bunnings, companies like that have 12 month return policy on faulty goods. I'm guessing its the same for Home Depot.

Treat it like an opportunity.

I get a new grow house and electric lawnmower ever 9 months or so

i use a mechanical timer i got from home depot.. i think 10 minute increments, about 10 bucks, has two outlets

Bullwinklell: From what the receipt says, only 30 days. And we're past that at this point.

Keith: do you remember which brand?

Yeah I use cheap mechanical timers. 24 hours in 15 minute increments. The type that has a round dial with little dip switches around the outside. My timers sit in a styrofoam box along with a power board (4 outlet) and a little battery backup air pump. The styrofoam box is out in the weather. The timers usually last about 12-18 months before the on-off switch (that the mechanical timer triggers) starts to stick and it gets stuck either on or off. At that point I just toss it and get a new one out of the drawer of spares. I run two pumps with the timers set to take turns between the pumps so nothing dies when I lose a timer. All machines fail, just gotta try to plan for it.

Ain't that the truth.
I'll be using mechanical type as well cheap as, and like Tallman says two pumps together...one fails system keeps going.
These are the ones I've got from eBay "HPM 24 Hour Timer Digital Programmable- 2 Pack" you might have to copy and paste that into eBay search to see them. I'm sure you wil need something different being on your own power system in the states.
Good luck

Thanks Tallman and Eric

We've got far superior consumer regulations laws in Australia. They have set period (I think it's a year) they are required to refund a product if it doesn't work as advertised. I went through about 10 dodgy tap timers at bunnings, kept on getting a slightly more expensive one each time, and they continued to fail, most of the time sending water spraying everywhere.

Hell, if we get a tradie that doesn't do a job properly, we can boot them out, get another tradie in to do the job, and charge it to the first one.

I don't believe the states have the same level of laws.

To the timers, I haven't played much with them. But if you got a timer with a solid state relay in it, with an decent electrical components, it should last for quite some time without physical parts that wear out.

Yeah, the states suck for customer service. lol Just ordered those 24 hr timers 4x4Eric suggested. When they get here, I'll hook it up and update when progress is made.

On a side note:

Q: Does anyone else have to supplement the fish nutrients with hydroponic chemicals? (i.e bc grow, bc boost, bc bloom, sugar daddy, thrive alive (green organic bottle) and/or magical?)


I've been using the chemicals conservatively to help my sprouts grow bigger. -I'm having a devil of a time getting anything to grow above 5-6" tall in any of the GBs. Will add pics in a minute

Yes but also HELL NO!

Many systems require a bit of help especially when new (some don't) but the range of additives that are used is very different. For example Fe, K and Ca are regularly added to deal with various deficiencies. There is also increasing debate supported by evidence that phosphorus may also be needed.

Have a look around the forum using the search function and you will find lots of discussion on this. Generally the additives get talk about when people are trying to deal with plant deficiencies.

ge

it's possible to design a system that doesnt use timers. If you are using a submersible magnetic drive type pump, i am surprised it's lasting longer than the timer with the constant start/stop stress.