AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 30in fit check
AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 30in is a 60W reef light listing about 12x30 in of coverage and roughly 90 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 12x30 in need a second fixture or a mounting plan that spreads light.
AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 30in: fits roughly 40-120 gallon systems. Specs, compatibility math, sizing risks, and alternatives before you buy.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ 40-120 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 40 gallons; it is sized above them.
- ✕ Systems over about 120 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 12x30 in from one unit.
Compatibility math
Coverage and PAR
Example: A common 75g footprint is 864 sq in; this fixture lists about 360 sq in and 90 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 30in fits roughly 40-120 gallon systems; confirm that range against the final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan.
Alternatives to compare
- AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in
80 PAR at 18 in vs 90: less intensity, suited to lower-light corals.
- Red Sea ReefLED 50
110 PAR at 18 in vs 90: more intensity for higher-light corals.
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED
120 PAR at 18 in vs 90: more intensity for higher-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.
- Candy cane coral
Moderate light need; wants more PAR than this fixture lists.
Full spec snapshot
- Category
- Lights
- Build tier
- Balanced
- Estimated price
- $280
- Tank fit range
- fits roughly 40-120 gallon systems
- Format
- Supplemental LED Strip
- Coverage
- 360 sq in
- PAR at 18 in
- 90
Related reading
Questions
Can the AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 30in grow SPS corals?
Not from one fixture at 18 inches. It lists about 90 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 30in cover?
The listing gives about 12x30 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 30in for?
ReefCrafter's catalog fit range for it is 40-120 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 30in against?
AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow 21in (80 PAR at 18 in vs 90: less intensity, suited to lower-light corals); Red Sea ReefLED 50 (110 PAR at 18 in vs 90: more intensity for higher-light corals); Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED (120 PAR at 18 in vs 90: more intensity for higher-light corals).
