This community rocks

[eknrews]

I am so thankful for this community. I have been setting up a new 76gal half sphere tank and have run into a couple of roadblocks along the way. The advice I received here helped me get my tank up and running beautifully!!

I am ready to purchase a light. Which is the best light I can get for the money?

Also, how much evaporation can I expect from a 76gal tank with a 10gal sump on a daily basis? I feel like I am adding water to it every couple days.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[2000se]

lights are a hot topic so you'll probably not get a straight answer. halide's, T-5's, ecotech, hydras, kissils..make your own.

I would expect the top off to be around 1 gal / day. ATO is a great investment as well.

Good Luck!!

 

[eknrews]

Thanks! I'll definitely be looking into an ATO now. I think 1 gal a day is about what Im experiencing.

Thanks for reminding me to clarify: I am interested in LED lights. Any suggestions are welcome!!!

 

[billdogg]

Because your tank is curved, I would consider Kessil A360w's. Depending on what you plan on keeping, one could be enough, for SPS I would think about a pair. Their round shape would go well with a curved tank IMO, and they offer plenty of light in a very compact package.

And Welcome to RC!!! Keep the questions coming. How about a picture or two of your setup?

 

[homer1475]

Even in the LED category your going to get a hundred different opinions on whats best.

I would tend to agree with billdog, with a disclaimer that I've never used Kessil's, but my LFS uses them exclusively, and he really likes them, and I've never read a bad review about them.

Welcome to RC BTW!

 

[billdogg]

I have a pair of A360W's on my 60g frag tank (4x2x12") set to maybe 50% and 18" above water. They grow the heck outa my SPS frags. On my 120g DT (4x2x2) I have a pair of AI Sol Blues that grow coral faster than I can frag it. They are set to 45W/65B/65RB and are also 18" above water. I'm very happy with both sets of lights.

 

[eknrews]

Thanks for the reply! I'm looking into these kessils...is tuna blue what I'm looking for? Or is that just blue. I'm hoping I could get by with just one given the cost. Not sure though. Any info on the AI hydra?

 

[billdogg]

Yes, the "tuna blue" is what you would want.

 

[eknrews]

So the tank is 42" long and 24" deep. 76 gal tank. Do you think one light would suffice at first? Also, I have a canopy as well. I'm not sure how far away from the water surface I can get the light due to canopy. Is this a problem?

 

[Hoopster81]

you're gonna need more than one kessil unless you go with the ap700