Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Pet Shops and Product Reviews => Tank Equipment Reviews => Topic started by: Matt on January 06, 2019, 09:01:22 PM

Title: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Matt on January 06, 2019, 09:01:22 PM
I recently recieved a NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer from Santa and am very happy with his choice...

This can be used as a ramp timer to bring on and off the aquarium lights over a 15m period so as to not startle the fish. Since using it I have noticed more natural morning and evening behaviours from the fish as I believe the lights (I have them set to a 30m start up and shut down) are better emulating sunrise and set.

I have wanted to purchase a product such as this for a while but was always nervous about compatibility... the fact that this product comes with a range of cable options to fit most lights was a bonus (see photos). The unit is a little tricky to programme (just because limited number of buttons and small display) but the diagram in the instructions helped me get my head around it and once it's set, its set. Even if the power goes out and the clock looses the time, the settings are still saved. Just reset the clock and you're away again.  It was easy to install and worked straight away on the lights in my 220 litre (Fluval aquasky) and on my 64 litre (Interpet leds).

Would highly recommend especially at the price I saw it for recently on Amazon...

Details can be found here:
https://www.nicrew.com/products/nicrew-single-led-lighting-timer/ (https://www.nicrew.com/products/nicrew-single-led-lighting-timer/)
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: fcmf on January 07, 2019, 02:57:42 PM
Very helpful review. If/when I ever convert over to LEDs, I'll make a note to remember this.  :cheers:
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Littlefish on January 10, 2019, 02:29:52 PM
Thanks @Matt for the very useful information.
I recently bought a plug-in timer thingy to try. The problem with it is that it is larger than a plug, so takes up too much space on multi-plug extension. Also, it would only turn my lights on and off.
I've just had a quick look on Amazon, and I think I might treat myself to some of these Nicrew timers.  ;D
 :cheers:
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Helen on January 10, 2019, 05:04:39 PM
How many times can the timer turn on and off? Could it cope with a siesta period?

I have briefly used a timer with a sunset and sunrise which I really liked. But the timer I had didn't allow for a siesta, so I stopped using it. Currently I stagger the on and off of my two LED units to reduce the shock of the lights switching.
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Matt on January 10, 2019, 07:16:42 PM
I am doing a siesta now! I do the 30mis ramp up and down at the start and end of the day and a much quicker 15min ramp down, off for 3 hours, then 15min ramp back up in the middle of the day 😁
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Littlefish on January 12, 2019, 10:06:14 AM
My timers have arrived, so I'll be fitting them to some of the tanks today.  :)
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Helen on January 12, 2019, 03:33:31 PM
How many tanks are you fitting out @Littlefish ?
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Littlefish on January 12, 2019, 03:59:07 PM
I've got 3 for now, but if things go well I can see me getting more.  :)
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: jaypeecee on January 14, 2019, 02:20:39 PM
Hi Matt,

I had a look at the Nicrew link that you provided but it made no mention of the maximum power LED fixture that it could supply. What is the power rating (in Watts) of the LED fixture that you are using the timer with?

JPC
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Matt on January 14, 2019, 09:07:36 PM
What is the power rating (in Watts) of the LED fixture that you are using the timer with?

I personally have it on a 27W unit.  :cheers:
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: jaypeecee on January 14, 2019, 09:38:09 PM
What is the power rating (in Watts) of the LED fixture that you are using the timer with?

I personally have it on a 27W unit.  :cheers:

Thanks for the feedback.
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Matt on January 31, 2019, 05:46:01 AM
I've got 3 for now, but if things go well I can see me getting more.  :)

How did these work out for you @Littlefish ?
Title: Re: NICREW Single Channel LED Lighting Timer
Post by: Littlefish on January 31, 2019, 09:07:45 AM
So far so good thanks @Matt and I'll be getting some more.

I started with the tiger barb tank, and put the timer on the lights that I moved on to that tank from the new Roma 200 I had. Yes, I'm a bit of a numpty, and hadn't though this through completely. The lights sold with the tanks don't dim, so I didn't get the sunrise/sunset effect, the light just switched on/off at the set time. However, I have put some different lights on the tank, which are dimmable, and it works a treat.  :)

I use more than one set of lights on some of my tanks, such as my river tank, to encourage algae. I'll move the lights that can't be dimmed to those tanks, and just have them come on around an half an hour after the dimmable lights come on.

It's comforting to know that the lights come on at a set time as a routine can be adhered to even if I'm not at home until later. My favourite aspect of this timer is the fact that it's in-line, as some of the plug in timers are quite big, and can take up more than 1 socket space. Great stuff.  :)