If you really are to poor to buy a $20 timer...... maybe this is the wrong "hobby" for you. I made a decision grow. I didn't grow until I could buy the correct/safe parts to do it. One other thing I would like to point out to "poor" growers, what if you get caught?? I put aside a pretty sizeable amount of money to pay for lawyer frees and lost time at work if I get busted. Something to think about.

Oh, one other thing more on the topic. Turn your heat way down. If your house is pretty cold(~45F), the plants will slow their use of water/nutes.