AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED Black fit check
AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED Black is a 59W reef light listing about 24x24 in of coverage and roughly 150 PAR at 18 inches. This page covers the black finish; AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED White is the other catalog version.
AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED Black: fits roughly 10-40 gallon systems. Specs, compatibility math, sizing risks, and alternatives before you buy.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ 10-40 gallon systems, per the catalog fit range.
- ✓ Soft coral (50-150 PAR), LPS (100-200 PAR), and mixed reef (150-250 PAR) goals at about 18 in depth.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under about 10 gallons; it is sized above them.
- ✕ Systems over about 40 gallons without adding capacity elsewhere.
- ✕ SPS (250-350 PAR) goals from a single fixture.
- ✕ Footprints larger than about 24x24 in from one unit.
Listed features
- HEI optics
- Mobius/myAI app
- 8 colors + UV + moonlight
Compatibility math
Coverage and PAR
Example: A common 75g footprint is 864 sq in; this fixture lists about 576 sq in and 150 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 Prime 16HD Reef LED Black fits roughly 10-40 gallon systems; confirm that range against the final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan.
Other versions of this model
- AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED White
White finish instead of black; same listed output specs.
Alternatives to compare
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED
120 PAR at 18 in vs 150: less intensity, suited to lower-light corals.
- Nicrew HyperReef 100 Gen 2 LED Reef Light
200 PAR at 18 in vs 150: more intensity for higher-light corals.
- Red Sea ReefLED 50
110 PAR at 18 in vs 150: less intensity, suited to lower-light corals.
Livestock this affects
- Mushroom coral
Low light need; within this fixture's listed PAR.
- Plate coral
Moderate light need; within this fixture's listed PAR.
- Pulsing xenia
Moderate light need; within this fixture's listed PAR.
- Bubble tip anemone
High light need; wants more PAR than this fixture lists.
Full spec snapshot
- Category
- Lights
- Build tier
- Balanced
- Estimated price
- $329
- Tank fit range
- fits roughly 10-40 gallon systems
- Format
- Puck LED
- Coverage
- 576 sq in
- PAR at 18 in
- 150
Related reading
Questions
How is the AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED Black different from the AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED White?
Per ReefCrafter's catalog, the AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED White differs by: white finish instead of black; same listed output specs. Everything else on this page applies to both unless the listing says otherwise.
Can the AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED Black grow SPS corals?
Not from one fixture at 18 inches. It lists about 150 PAR, below ReefCrafter's SPS target of 250-350 PAR. It meets the soft coral, LPS, and mixed reef targets.
How large a tank does one AquaIllumination Prime 16HD Reef LED Black cover?
The listing gives about 24x24 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 Prime 16HD Reef LED Black for?
ReefCrafter's catalog fit range for it is 10-40 gallon systems. Confirm that against your final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan rather than the box label alone.
