AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in fit check
AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in is a 40W reef light listing about 12x21 in of coverage and roughly 80 PAR at 18 inches. That clears ReefCrafter's PAR targets for soft coral tanks, but not LPS, mixed reef, and SPS. Tanks wider or longer than 12x21 in need a second fixture or a mounting plan that spreads light.
AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in: fits roughly 20-75 gallon systems. Specs, compatibility math, sizing risks, and alternatives before you buy.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ 20-75 gallon systems, per the catalog fit range.
- ✓ Soft coral (50-150 PAR) goals at about 18 in depth.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under about 20 gallons; it is sized above them.
- ✕ Systems over about 75 gallons without adding capacity elsewhere.
- ✕ LPS (100-200 PAR), mixed reef (150-250 PAR), and SPS (250-350 PAR) goals from a single fixture.
- ✕ Footprints larger than about 12x21 in from one unit.
Compatibility math
Coverage and PAR
Example: A common 75g footprint is 864 sq in; this fixture lists about 252 sq in and 80 PAR at 18 in.
ReefCrafter checks spread and intensity separately because a bright hotspot still leaves dim edges.
Risk notes
- The common mistake is buying a light that grows soft corals now but cannot support the mixed or SPS reef the keeper already wants.
- Large or SPS-heavy tanks may need multiple fixtures even when one light technically fits the gallons.
Professional fit context
- Match coverage width, coverage length, PAR at depth, mounting plan, and fixture count.
- AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in fits roughly 20-75 gallon systems; confirm that range against the final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan.
Alternatives to compare
- AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 30in
90 PAR at 18 in vs 80: more intensity for higher-light corals.
- Red Sea ReefLED 50
110 PAR at 18 in vs 80: more intensity for higher-light corals.
- Fluval Marine 3.0 LED 46W (36-48in)
55 PAR at 18 in vs 80: less intensity, suited to lower-light corals.
Livestock this affects
- Blastomussa coral
Low light need; within this fixture's listed PAR.
- Kenya tree coral
Low light need; within this fixture's listed PAR.
- Mushroom coral
Low light need; within this fixture's listed PAR.
- Goniopora (flowerpot coral)
Moderate light need; wants more PAR than this fixture lists.
Full spec snapshot
- Category
- Lights
- Build tier
- Balanced
- Estimated price
- $220
- Tank fit range
- fits roughly 20-75 gallon systems
- Format
- Supplemental LED Strip
- Coverage
- 252 sq in
- PAR at 18 in
- 80
Related reading
Questions
Can the AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in grow SPS corals?
Not from one fixture at 18 inches. It lists about 80 PAR, below ReefCrafter's SPS target of 250-350 PAR. It meets the soft coral target.
How large a tank does one AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in cover?
The listing gives about 12x21 inches of coverage. A tank footprint larger than that needs another fixture or a raised, spread mounting plan to avoid dim edges.
What tank size is the AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in for?
ReefCrafter's catalog fit range for it is 20-75 gallon systems. Confirm that against your final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan rather than the box label alone.
What should I compare the AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in against?
AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 30in (90 PAR at 18 in vs 80: more intensity for higher-light corals); Red Sea ReefLED 50 (110 PAR at 18 in vs 80: more intensity for higher-light corals); Fluval Marine 3.0 LED 46W (36-48in) (55 PAR at 18 in vs 80: less intensity, suited to lower-light corals).
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