Red Sea ReefLED 160S
Wattage
160 W
Water type
Marine + Reef
Running cost
~$140/yr
Red Sea ReefLED 160S
Red Sea's most powerful reef light, built for large or deep displays.
The Red Sea ReefLED 160S is the flagship fixture in Red Sea's ReefLED range: a 160 W reef-spec LED light combining a coral-growth blue channel, a balanced white channel and a dedicated moonlight channel, run and programmed through the Wi-Fi-connected ReefBeat app. Red Sea's own testing shows it holding useful PAR at 76 cm (30") of depth from a single fixture, which puts it in range for tall SPS-dominant displays and large, deep reef tanks that smaller reef lights struggle to light through.
Key features
- 160 W total output — 140 W of 23,000 K REEF-SPEC blue, 17 W of 9,000 K white, and a separate 3 W moonlight channel run independently.
- Stadium-shaped lens — Red Sea's patent-pending optic blends the diode array into a uniform spread rather than a visible spotty grid, and reduces glare when viewed from the side.
- Even coverage per fixture — a homogeneous spread across roughly 81 x 81 cm (32 x 32") in all three directions from a single unit.
- ReefBeat app control — sunrise/sunset ramping, lunar cycle, cloud simulation and a dedicated acclimation mode for introducing the light over an established reef.
- Clip-on visor included — cuts light spill for tanks in living spaces, plus an auto shut-off if the fixture is tilted too far.
- Groupable — multiple units mount around 76 cm (30") apart with uniformity maintained across the join.
Specifications
| Total wattage | 160 W (140 W blue + 17 W white + 3 W moonlight) |
|---|---|
| Spectrum | 23,000 K REEF-SPEC blue, 9,000 K white, dedicated moonlight channel |
| Dimensions | approx. 17.5 x 15.5 x 6.4 cm |
| Coverage per fixture | approx. 81 x 81 cm (32 x 32") |
| Recommended fixture spacing | approx. 76 cm (30") for uniform multi-unit coverage |
| Control | Wi-Fi, Red Sea ReefBeat app |
| Mains | 240 V, 50 Hz, AU plug |
| Water type | Marine / reef |
Performance — PAR by depth
| Condition | PAR (µmol) |
|---|---|
| Single fixture, at approx. 76 cm (30") depth | 100+ PAR |
| Three fixtures over a Reefer 3XL 900 (200 cm tank) | 200–350 PAR, uniform across almost the whole footprint |
Red Sea hasn't published a full single-fixture PAR curve across intermediate depths (15/30/45/60 cm) the way it has for the multi-unit 3XL 900 result above — these two figures are the confirmed data points. If you're placing corals at a specific depth and want a tighter figure than "100+ PAR at 76 cm", a PAR meter reading on your own tank once it's installed is the reliable way to confirm, since rock placement and water clarity both shift the number from the lab figure.
Which one do I need?
The 160S sits at the top of Red Sea's ReefLED range, above the ReefLED 90 and ReefLED 50 — it's built for the largest and deepest displays in the lineup, including the 900 mm and 1800 mm+ tank widths. If you're lighting a shallower or narrower display, a smaller ReefLED model may be enough and will cost less to run; ask us for a comparison against your tank's dimensions before committing to the 160S if you're unsure.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suited to large, deep or SPS-dominant reef displays — particularly systems around 90 cm deep or wider than a single smaller fixture can evenly cover. Not the most economical choice for a shallow nano or small display, where a smaller ReefLED model delivers enough PAR at a lower purchase price and running cost.
Running costs and noise
At 160 W and an assumed 8-hour photoperiod, that's approximately 467 kWh a year — around $140 a year at a 30c/kWh tariff (your own rate will vary; check your electricity bill for the actual figure). The fixture is fanless, so it runs silently; heat is dissipated passively, so allow clear air space above the unit rather than mounting it inside a sealed hood.
Care and maintenance
Wipe the lens periodically to clear salt creep, which reduces light output over time if left to build up. No lamps or diffusers to replace — the LEDs themselves are rated for long service life, though Red Sea doesn't publish a specific replacement interval.
Safety
Mains-powered — run on an RCD-protected circuit, and keep the cable's drip loop below the power point to stop water tracking into the plug.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by Red Sea's manufacturer warranty, in addition to your consumer guarantee rights under Australian Consumer Law. Small parcel item, ships standard.
Common questions
Will one fixture cover my whole tank?
One ReefLED 160S evenly covers roughly an 81 x 81 cm footprint. For longer tanks, mount multiple units around 76 cm apart rather than trying to stretch coverage from a single fixture.
Do I need the ReefBeat app to run it?
The fixture runs on its last saved programme without Wi-Fi, but scheduling, ramping, lunar cycles and remote monitoring all need a Wi-Fi connection through the ReefBeat app.
Is the 160S too much light for a new tank?
It can be, run at full intensity — use the app's acclimation mode to ramp intensity up gradually, whether you're cycling a new display or introducing the light over an already-established reef.
How much does it cost to run?
Roughly 467 kWh a year on an assumed 8-hour photoperiod, which is about $140 a year at a 30c/kWh tariff — actual cost depends on your own electricity rate and photoperiod length.
What's the difference between this and the ReefLED 90?
The 160S is Red Sea's highest-output fixture, built for larger and deeper displays than the 90. We haven't published a side-by-side spec comparison yet — ask us if you want help matching a model to your tank.
