ATI Straton vs Phillips Coral Care Gen2

[dwair]

In the market to replace my Hydra 32. I really like the panel style, no more shadowing. Obviously one is more expensive than the other, what are ya'lls thoughts?

Curious. Seen great reviews on both.

 

[dwair]

Bueller….

 

[rtparty]

Not many are going to have had both to give a fair comparison. What you'll likely get is people who own one of them saying it's the way to go. Which is normal and we see it all over the forums.

Both should do what you want. Biggest questions should be availability and how you plan to hang them

 

[MediocreAtEverything]

The Straton aesthetically looks much nicer and sleeker. It is also lighter.

 

[dwair]

Not many are going to have had both to give a fair comparison. What you'll likely get is people who own one of them saying it's the way to go. Which is normal and we see it all over the forums.

Both should do what you want. Biggest questions should be availability and how you plan to hang them

What do you mean how I plan to hang them? From the Ceiling?

 

[rtparty]

What do you mean how I plan to hang them? From the Ceiling?

The Coral Care is 22 pounds compared to the ATI at 9. So consider that in how you will need to hang them so everything is secure.

My money would go to the ATI personally if you can ever get one again. Last I heard was October at the earliest but could be pushed back to 2022

 

[alton]

Phillips is the leader in lighting. Their fixture is from the commercial line of fixtures where they make thousands. ATI has a 1 year warranty, Phillips two year. ATI has been around aquarium lighting for a very long time so I can't knock them either.
My wife would never allow hanging lighting cables from her ceiling, so I always build a lighting rack normally from 3/4" angle, this time I used 1/4" wood to support my XR15's.

 

[SPS2020]

OP, you didn't mention if your tank is SPS, LPS, softie or FOWLR? If SPS, Acro specific? Lighting is a very ambiguous topic with tons of variables and opinions.

BRS has a video on the Philips light and seemed to elude that it worked better for LPS (double check my short term memory)

Personally, I'm keeping my Hydra 32 HD and T5 combo on my Acro dominant tank until something truly remarkable comes along.

 

[dwair]

I ended up ordering the ATI this morning. As far as what coral I have. Currently its softies, but I plan on transitioning to SPS later on.

But ATI Straton is incoming!

 

[dwair]

The Coral Care is 22 pounds compared to the ATI at 9. So consider that in how you will need to hang them so everything is secure.

My money would go to the ATI personally if you can ever get one again. Last I heard was October at the earliest but could be pushed back to 2022

Aquacave had them in stock. Just ordered 1

 

[Kodski]

I ended up ordering the ATI this morning. As far as what coral I have. Currently its softies, but I plan on transitioning to SPS later on.

But ATI Straton is incoming!

The Straton is more feature rich from what I've read. I really like the idea of multiple dimming zones per light. I'd probably go with the Straton over the Phillips as well.

 

[SPS2020]

You must have purchased the last one...AquaCave is now out of stock.

 

[LRT]

OP, you didn't mention if your tank is SPS, LPS, softie or FOWLR? If SPS, Acro specific? Lighting is a very ambiguous topic with tons of variables and opinions.

BRS has a video on the Philips light and seemed to elude that it worked better for LPS (double check my short term memory)

Personally, I'm keeping my Hydra 32 HD and T5 combo on my Acro dominant tank until something truly remarkable comes along.

I've read the same and brs did elude to coral care being a better light for softies and think he even made the suggestion thats what they may have been aiming for more or less. I do like the healthy spectrum blend the coral care supposedly offers. Based on what idk. 22 lbs is heavy though.

 

[dwair]

You must have purchased the last one...AquaCave is now out of stock.

Yea I actually called them after I ordered cause I saw that too, and was super nervous that their stock list was wrong. he said I ordered the last one.

 

[dwair]

I've read the same and brs did elude to coral care being a better light for softies and think he even made the suggestion thats what they may have been aiming for more or less. I do like the healthy spectrum blend the coral care supposedly offers. Based on what idk. 22 lbs is heavy though.

Well my big thing was that I didn't like that to get the "blue" look with the Coral Care, you have to turn down the whites alot which leads to less PAR. As I plan to eventually keep SPS, this was a no go for me.

 

[PeterC99]

I ended up ordering the ATI this morning. As far as what coral I have. Currently its softies, but I plan on transitioning to SPS later on.

But ATI Straton is incoming!

What made you decide on the ATI?

 

[PeterC99]

What made you decide on the ATI?

Sorry I think I simultaneously posted this as you were answering this exact question.

 

[dwair]

What made you decide on the ATI?

Well my big thing was that I didn't like that to get the "blue" look with the Coral Care, you have to turn down the whites alot which leads to less PAR. As I plan to eventually keep SPS, this was a no go for me.

That plus weight. And honestly looks. I know that shouldn't come into play, but it did for me, the ATI Straton looks amazing. Sleek and thin.

 

[PeterC99]

Well my big thing was that I didn't like that to get the "blue" look with the Coral Care, you have to turn down the whites alot which leads to less PAR. As I plan to eventually keep SPS, this was a no go for me.

That plus weight. And honestly looks. I know that shouldn't come into play, but it did for me, the ATI Straton looks amazing. Sleek and thin.

Really interested in your experience and opinion with ATI - seems like an incredible reef light.

 

[SPS2020]

Really interested in your experience and opinion with ATI - seems like an incredible reef light.

Yep, same here. It really looks super nice. It would be cool if ATI knocked it out of the park.

@dwair , please let us know your impressions once it arrives!