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Unread 10/24/2020, 07:40 AM   #1
mfinn
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Philips CoralCare gen2

Who has the new fixture?
Thoughts?
Issues?


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Unread 10/25/2020, 09:51 AM   #2
aronj2
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I ve seen the old, but they are wayyy too bulky to hang on my tank .

Im thinking of getting these gen2 2020 models.. 2 of them should almost light my 250,. Of so, its a bargain.


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Unread 10/25/2020, 10:00 AM   #3
mfinn
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The new ones are very sexy and much slimmer.
No fan noise is a huge deal, much larger coverage area.


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Unread 10/25/2020, 11:45 AM   #4
aronj2
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In metric.. my tank js 170/70/70 thats centimeter about 210us gallon.. IF 2 are enough.. ill go for it..
I know the guy who came up with the led array (Luc Vogels) is a smart dude with a passion for reefkeeping..

Suppose to be AS close to t5 as possible.. i havent heared bad things about them (and im dutch . Im really close to the designer and company)


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Unread 10/25/2020, 03:24 PM   #5
mfinn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aronj2 View Post
In metric.. my tank js 170/70/70 thats centimeter about 210us gallon.. IF 2 are enough.. ill go for it..
I know the guy who came up with the led array (Luc Vogels) is a smart dude with a passion for reefkeeping..

Suppose to be AS close to t5 as possible.. i havent heared bad things about them (and im dutch . Im really close to the designer and company)
I went with 2 over my 72" x 30 " x 25" tank. Mixed softy.

My first impressions were that they are incredibly heavy.
They are listed as 15lbs. Seemed more, so I put them on my package scale and it came in close to 20lbs.
Now 20 lbs. doesn't seem heavy but when you double that to 2 fixtures and then compare it to 5lb. Radions. Huge difference.

Do you really trust those ceiling bolts with 40lbs.? lol
My ceiling anchors are suppose to hold 85lbs each and there are 4 of them.
But still,,,,,,,,,,

Now for the real downside.
You need a controller to run these lights or they just turn on at 100% power, 100% both channels.

The controller I got decided not to work with wifi for my phone or computer.
I spent a while with Philips on Facebook and Carlos at Coralvue trying to figure it out.
The claim for a new controller was submitted.

I somehow got some connection going with Bluetooth on my phone, but I couldn't get it figured out and the best color I got out of the lights was a dirty looking 12k, which I hated.

I'm used to a 8 x 80 watt ATI Blue Plus and Reef Brite XHO's.


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Unread 10/26/2020, 06:10 AM   #6
aronj2
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That sucks man..
Well... I just ordered 2 and a controller..

They hang on 2 point per light?


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Unread 10/26/2020, 08:16 AM   #7
mfinn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aronj2 View Post
That sucks man..
Well... I just ordered 2 and a controller..

They hang on 2 point per light?
Hopefully your experience is better than mine.

The fixtures themselves hang on 2 points each, but I didn't care for the idea of 4 cables from the ceiling so I came up with this.












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Unread 10/26/2020, 09:40 AM   #8
Vinny Kreyling
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Nothing wrong with that mounting.


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Unread 10/28/2020, 11:26 AM   #9
aronj2
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Cool!

Just hang 2 of these .
Cant connect to WiFi..
Cant save lighting schedule through bluetooth (disconnects ehen i hit "save to controller"


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Unread 10/28/2020, 11:59 AM   #10
mfinn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aronj2 View Post
Cool!

Just hang 2 of these .
Cant connect to WiFi..
Cant save lighting schedule through bluetooth (disconnects ehen i hit "save to controller"


On my second attempt, I had success dealing with the controller.
There are pretty specific steps to follow.
Wire it up
Download the app
Plug the controller into your computer via USB
Open app


My controller won't recognise the usb plug into my computer, but after I hit the "Refresh" button, the controller showed up via wifi.
I started with the preset Deep Reef and then went into the user controls and changed a few things to get it to a color I like.
You have to remember to save your changes and save the program to the controller.
Right now it's really darn close to my Radion program and color.

I'm really leaning towards the happy side today.

I did find help on 2 different Facebook pages.
one is the Philips CoralCare LED International group and the other was the Philips CoralCare group.


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Unread 10/28/2020, 02:14 PM   #11
aronj2
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I tried it with my iPhone ( first attempt was with Samsung s20+). And that paired up just fine, got it on wifi and running the natural reef preset at 10% intensity, its a new tank, new cycle.. but the app is the only small negative i found..

Yes they are heavy.. but a decent anchor in a concrete ceiling should hold 100pound per anchor.. so more than enough..

I used "fischer double action 6*30" seems to be fine


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Unread 10/28/2020, 02:18 PM   #12
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Unread 10/28/2020, 04:20 PM   #13
mfinn
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I guess my real test is to see how far the wifi network goes in my house.
Can I open the app on my computer on one end of my house and connect to the lights on the other end.


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Unread 10/28/2020, 09:45 PM   #14
aronj2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mfinn View Post
I guess my real test is to see how far the wifi network goes in my house.
Can I open the app on my computer on one end of my house and connect to the lights on the other end.
Mine does.. i can control it as long as im connected to wifi.. i have 3 of them google WiFi mesh router things, so my home wifi is decent


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Unread 11/17/2020, 11:12 PM   #15
r-balljunkie
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any updates? how are the corals liking these lights? interested in trying ....wanting to use with. (possibly) hydros controllers. is the separate controller 100% required for use?


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Unread 11/18/2020, 09:21 AM   #16
mfinn
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I have no complaints so far.
You do need the controller.


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Unread 11/22/2020, 03:23 AM   #17
aronj2
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yeah i do like mine.. somehow my android phone (samsung s20+) couldnt save anything on the controller, but my iphone 7 did work.

as for growth and par, they are good, i like them, especially since u cant screw up the spectrum

and yes u do need the new controller..


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