Doing the dirty work: Have you used filter rollers with your reef?

Peace River · Apr 5, 2023

Doing the dirty work: Have you used filter rollers with your reef?

One of the major filtration questions for a reef tank was filter socks or no filter socks. With the introduction of filter rollers there is another significant option for mechanical waste removal. At first there were some challenges with the rolls quickly being used up, however over time some of these filter rollers have received raving reviews. Have you ever used filter rollers and what has been your experience? Do you have a brand, size, or style preference? Do you have any tips or thoughts to share? Please let us know your experience with filter rollers in the discussion thread that follows.

Photo by @BBLINKS

@EAZi_Coral

vetteguy53081 · Apr 5, 2023

I used the Klir-4 when it first came out. It was very temporary as at the time I had a trigger sump and it was impossible to get this to fit in the sump so I went with an algae scrubber and have utilized filter socks once again

cwerner · Apr 5, 2023

Had a Klir-4 with my first fish tank. I switched from mesh socks to the Klir and honestly it did TOO good of a job. I was a very new reefer at the time and thought they were cool. Unfortunately between that and the algae scrubber I installed I gave myself such a bad outbreak of dino's that I ended up dismantling that tank after nuking all my corals trying to deal with the dinos. IM looks to be making a manual filter roller cartridge for their AIO's, so I'll probably pick one up, but I'll be a lot more careful about nutrients than in the past.

LPS Bum · Apr 5, 2023

ReefMat 1200.

Expensive to replace the filter roll each month, but it sure beats changing out filter socks every week.

Floyd- · Apr 5, 2023

Had the Reefmat 1200 on my 150 display and it was for me the best equipment to date. One roll lasted about 2-3 months.
Sadly I downsized to a AIO and the options are very limited for rollers.

Jbell370 · Apr 5, 2023

Reefmat 1200 - love it, no more socks, roll now lasts about a month.

tee89 · Apr 5, 2023

I use a reef mat 1200 love it. One roll Lasts 2 months for me. Costly for sure but I guess it's the premium to save on time and effort. Another issue I'm experiencing are low nutrients and this is due to the roller removing food particles and waste immediately which means there's nothing cooking the water to release some nutrients.

exnisstech · Apr 5, 2023

I just can't justify the expense not to mention it adds another device that will fail at some point. I was using socks and running them through the washer buy now I'm running reef diapers and just toss them in the trash

Muffin87 · Apr 5, 2023

To be completely honest, I can't imagine running a tank without a filter roller anymore

CourtNjoeZreef · Apr 5, 2023

Trigger system sump with the 8" mat built in. Lasts me about 2 months. When I compare results vs cost it's a no brainer situation. To take one more task out of the mix is gold to me.

You have to check it and make sure the floats aren't getting hung up ect but that's part of my husbandry. Rinsing filter socks is fine if you like doing it. Personally just throwing out a roll of toilet paper and reloading is the more effective efficient way for me.

10/10 recommended if your doing this hobby on your own (no paid help )

dkelley · Apr 5, 2023

I have a brand new 140g display with 35g sump and I put a Reefmat 1200 in it but have yet to put a roll on it. The tank is just to new I think but I wanted to get everything setup and arranged down there so I could be sure everything would fit. So it's just sitting in there, turned off, no roll but I am excited about having it.

Toolman · Apr 5, 2023

Using the AquaMax AF-1. Love it. Never going back. All I need now is to beat my green hair algae problem.

Spicy Reef · Apr 5, 2023

I go back and forth on that.
mostly I do not have a sump so odds are reduced on getting the roller matt.
This is what I currently use...

Lbrdsoxfan · Apr 5, 2023

I used an first generation klir-4", its in the spare stuff pile. I currently use bubble magus rollers on both of my tanks and my dads. Best thing I've done, between the apex, auto feeder and the filter roller, I can go 14 days without touching the tank (glass scraping excluded).

Snowxcross · Apr 5, 2023

I'm one month into a Clarisea 5k gen 3. I'm just blown away by the ease of use and zero maintenance. The rolls are crazy dirty and i would never go back to socks/no socks strategy.

NotoriousDMC · Apr 5, 2023

ClariSea and now Reefmat 500. Will never go back to socks.

Typhon · Apr 5, 2023

I actually use the Bubble Master version. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it works well and has smaller footprint than most other rollers. I normally can get 2 months out of roll and it run me $16. So the price point works for me.

Typhon · Apr 5, 2023

Has anyone tried the filter sock replacement-> Rocky Mountain Fish Filters?

spectral_ranger · Apr 5, 2023

I'm loving my ReefMat 500. Long story, but had my Apex base unit go bad, so was running my display and sump separately (circulation, heaters, etc.) til it got dealt with. After a week, the water in display was noticeably cloudier, and corals not opening up as much. After getting base unit replaced and getting system going through the roller again, it cleared up within hours and corals were much happier. A lot of other variables in play, but I think roller was the biggest factor. I do worry about how many pods it strips out and all, though... I tried running roller on an every other day basis through the Apex, but the changing water level in the sump and all messed with the overflow and it was just a hassle, so went back to 24/7 roller.