With so many lights on the market the choices can sometimes feel a little bit overwhelming.  While there are no bad options among the major manufacturers, Aqua Illumination’s offering for smaller tanks, the AI Prime 16HD, is a safe and standout choice.  At just under 5 inches square its small size makes it a low profile option.  With a spread of 24” by 24” the AI Prime 16HD is a great choice for most sized nano reefs.

About Aqua Illumination

 While Aqua Illumination is currently owned by EchoTech Marine, this Iowa based company maintains its own self contained product lines, customer and warranty support.  In fact, Aqua Illumination is the oldest company whose lights are exclusively LED.   This had helped them become an industry leader in this technology.   Aqua Illumination’s warranty and customer service is exemplary and they offer a wide variety of accessories, add ons and replacement parts for all of their marine lights.

AI Prime 16HD Specifications

 The AI Prime 16HD is designed for smaller tanks with a maximum footprint of roughly two feet by two feet, however it can be used on slightly larger tanks provided that high light corals are not placed near the edges.   It is capable of effectively lighting a tank up to two feet deep, making it a great choice for cube shaped tanks.  For larger tanks, two lights can be used to cover a larger surface area.   The light produces a maximum of roughly 60watts at full intensity.  It offers a wide colour spectrum and users are able to individually control 7 different colour channels as well as the UV levels through the myAI app.  A unique feature of the HD series of lights is the ability to redirect wattage from lighting channels with low usage to other channels.  This allows for channels to be run at more than 100% intensity if desired, up to 130%.

The MyAI App

One of the criticisms of AI branded lights in the past was the cumbersome smartphone app.  In fact, a quick google search of “myAI app” will reveal countless horror stories.  Rest assured, however, that the current versions of the app are excellent and all of the early growing pains have been resolved.  The app is available for both Apple and Android devices and allows for an almost endless amount of customization.  Users can adjust the intensity of the different colour channels throughout the photoperiod and the length of the ramp up and ramp down periods.  More advanced users can also adjust the Kelvin levels for that perfect spectrum to make corals pop!  Of course you can always ask us here at Fragbox to share our settings with you.  We use this light on many of our display tanks and will be happy to help!  The myAI app connects via bluetooth and allows for the seamless integration of other AI products, such as the popular Nero series of wavemakers.

Mounting Options and Accessories

Aqua Illumination offers three mounting options for the AI Prime 16HD.  While a ceiling mount is available, the vast majority of reef keepers choose either the fixed or flexible arm mounts.  These mounts attach easily to any tank and offer varying degrees of adjustability.  We are happy to help you choose the right mount for your specific tank.  AI also offers a light diffuser to help reduce glare and a number of user replaceable parts, such as fans, to keep your light running smoothly for years.

The AI Prime 16HD offers a powerful, easy to control and customize light in a small package that looks great on any smaller tank.  Combine that with its reliability and excellent customer service and you have a great reef lighting choice that will give you years of worry free enjoyment.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 4.88″ x 4.88″ x 1.34″
• Power Consumption: 45W at full power
• Input Range: 100 to 240VAC / 50-60Hz
• Power Cable Length: 10′
• Coverage: 24″ x 24″ (Recommended 18″ x 18″)
•