The best way to see how this works is by going to the product page. The first 3 modes are light color up and then back down. This mode has the options at 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds to go up and then back down. The next mode is the same 5, 10 or 20-second options, but this time the lights fade from one color to the next. After that, the lights are just set colors. You use the knob on the left to select the colors. Press the knob to turn the lights on or off.