Here is a better shot of the mini controller for the X-10. It is a clock that can control 4 seperate X-10 modules on individual time cycles. I like the X-10 because it is much more accurate than the dial type timers, and also because I plan to use the X-10 protocol for my DIY controller eventually (see th home page for that project). I have the timer set up for turning on 1/2 the main lights at 7:00am, followed by the remainder for full light at 8:00 am. At 7:00pm 1/2 the main lights turn off for dusk, and then at 7:55 the moon lights turn on, and at 8:00pm the mains are totally off. The two LED moonlights provide a nice glow to watch the tank with from 8:00pm to 7:00am when they turn off to repeat the whole cycle. The final X-10 module controls the Refugium lighting..which turns on at 7:00pm and off at 7:00am. I must note that the X-10 modules DO NOT work well with flourescent fixtures... UNLESS you modify them to not look for "local" commands...when you buy an X-10 module off the shelf, it has a "feature" that allows you to turn anything plugged into the module on and off by turning whatever is plugged into the module on and off rapidly. This is known in X-10 terms as local control. The problem is that ballasts for flourescents interfere with this, and the result is they turn themselves off and on randomly. Here is a good webpage explaining how to undo the local control "feature" It is easy and only involves cutting one jumper in the module. HERE is the link.
A shot with the full lighting on. It doesn't show well in the picture but it is BRIGHT. I can only say I won't be watching any movies in the living room until after 8:00pm when these lights go off. It makes an anoying reflection on the screen...I may have to make a little curtain if this becomes an issue.
Closeup of one of the two LED moonlights. These things are nice and cheap..like $20 each, and they are a nice blue low key light. They come with a wall wart transformer for each light...I wish you could hook them up in series to one transformr to save outlet space, but hey did I mention they are cheap? I got mine from Marine Depot. They attach by one little screw to wherever you want to mount them. I stuck mine in the light hood on the reflector. The picture demonstrates that the reflector works like it should :)...the lights are off this is just the flash being reflected.
