Theiling Rollermat vs. Refugium

[Husker]

Hello all,

I am planning out my new system. Despite it being my "dream system", I am still having to make some trade offs for the sake of space.

Display: 5'x2'x2' (150 gallon)
Sump: 75 gallon standard aquarium

I have limited sump space even in this huge sump. Here is my question: which would you chose: a Theiling Rollermat or ~30 gallon refugium area?

If it makes a difference, I love the idea of the rollermat because I am too lazy to keep up with the maintenance of filter socks. So it is either the rollermat or nothing. With the startfire glass in this tank, I would like to keep the water as free of debris as possible. However, I like the idea of a fuge for producing pods for fish like Anthias to feed throughout the day more easily.

Would love some help making the decision!

 

[Brew12]

Hello all,

I am planning out my new system. Despite it being my "dream system", I am still having to make some trade offs for the sake of space.

Display: 5'x2'x2' (150 gallon)
Sump: 75 gallon standard aquarium

I have limited sump space even in this huge sump. Here is my question: which would you chose: a Theiling Rollermat or ~30 gallon refugium area?

If it makes a difference, I love the idea of the rollermat because I am too lazy to keep up with the maintenance of filter socks. So it is either the rollermat or nothing. With the startfire glass in this tank, I would like to keep the water as free of debris as possible. However, I like the idea of a fuge for producing pods for fish like Anthias to feed throughout the day more easily.

Would love some help making the decision!

I would chose the refugium as that is for the fish. The rollermat just makes our lives easier.

I'm just curious why you can't do both with a sump that size if you scale down the refugium to around 10 gallons.

 

[Husker]

I could look back at my design to see, but the rollermat is huge. It has a 17"x10" footprint, not including plumbing inlets/outlets. With a skimmer and return pump section, not much space is leftover.

 

[roostertech]

I would go with fuge. Filter sock cleaning isn't that bad if you do buy a lot and do in batch. I like to have a fuge to breed pod for my fish. As for nutrient export sock + fuge > rollermat.

 

[Husker]

I would go with fuge. Filter sock cleaning isn't that bad if you do buy a lot and do in batch. I like to have a fuge to breed pod for my fish. As for nutrient export sock + fuge > rollermat.

Keep in mind that the comparison is really rollermat vs. fuge. I have never run filter socks and don't want to start. I like to keep the annoying parts of Reef keeping almost to nothing. If I don't have the rollermat I won't run any socks.

Anyone with a rollermat have an opinion?

 

[BigHildy53]

With the rollermat, you need space for the rollermat above the sump, plus an additional 6 or so inches for changing the roll. Do you have the room for that?

I did not have room under the tank and tried to do it external, but I didn't plumb it well. Had trouble getting the flow good.

 

[Zachhll]

It sounds like your against Socks completely. Why it takes 1 minute to change them once a week. If your not spending at least that on other stuff then your tank is going to look bad anyway. my sump takes 2 socks. I have 10. This way when i get down to my last 2 I throw the dirty ones in the washer with a little bleach and double rinse. Then i'm good to go for another month. Been doing it this way for years would never go back to not using anything. Anyways as you can tell my vote is fuge .

 

[VegasUSP]

The roller mat looks like a great idea....but the thing requires so much space it seems like putting it under most tanks in a stand is impossible.

 

[Husker]

Hmmm... I do have the space. The stand is big enough that it would accommodate the rollermat in the sump. I am really close to deciding to do a display refugium plumbed next to the tank to get the best of both worlds. I am a huge fan of macro algae and soft corals, but this display tank will be SPS dominant.

I have never run filter socks, and I just don't trust myself to keep up on the upkeep of them. However, I like the benefit of having less particulates in the water. Right now my only tank maintenance is a water change once every few weeks. I have an SPS only 40 breeder with a big skimmer and some chaeto. I haven't had any nutrient problems since early after starting the tank. I would like my next, bigger tank to have the same low maintenance schedule if possible. There is the 1 minute to change them once a week, but then the time to do a load of laundry monthly. I would like to avoid it, if possible, given my schedule and young children.

 

[Water Dog]

Just keep in mind, the max flow that can go through the roller mat is 600gph.

 

[Fin]

If it is your dream tank, maybe you could splurge on a sump specifically built around the Rollermat. No special plumbing required. From Elite-Aquatics.

http://www.elite-aquatics.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=51

 

[Husker]

If it is your dream tank, maybe you could splurge on a sump specifically built around the Rollermat. No special plumbing required. From Elite-Aquatics.

http://www.elite-aquatics.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=51

I have seen those. They are pretty sweet. It seems like they are always out of stock though, aren't they? And my 75 gallon DIY sump would certainly hold more water, with more space, it seems. I will definitely look into it more, though. Thanks.

 

[Fin]

I have seen those. They are pretty sweet. It seems like they are always out of stock though, aren't they? And my 75 gallon DIY sump would certainly hold more water, with more space, it seems. I will definitely look into it more, though. Thanks.

I have one of their sumps and it is really well made. That sump is probably something that they won't keep in stock, but they are custom sump builders and I would bet they would make it just as big as you want. You can write them and ask. They have a Facebook page too and they are always posting pics of custom builds.

 

[Husker]

Good idea! I think I will do that.

 

[Fin]

Good timing. Elite-Aquatics just posted this pic of a custom Rollermat sump on their Facebook page. So here is your answer. They do build them to suit your application.

 

[Husker]

Great, thanks. I sent them an email. I really like the idea of a display refugium and then having the rollermat incorporated into the sump, but I also like the simplicity of just having a tank/sump without having to plumb through this wall. Maybe a rollermat sump/fuge custom would be the best of both worlds? Ahhh, decisions are so hard.. haha

 

[Husker]

No reply to the email this far.

 

[Fin]

Odd, I never had any difficulty communicating with Tyler. I had an email address, but lost it when my old computer crashed. Maybe try messaging through the Facebook page.

 

[Husker]

They might be busy. I used the website contact form, which might not have worked properly.

I will try an email or Facebook message.

 

[d2mini]

If you really like the idea of a roller mat, i would do both the roller mat and the refugium.
They serve two different purposes.

Personally, I don't like socks or the idea of a roller mat.
I just got a new sump myself and went with a LifeReef Berlin Sump with Refugium.
http://lifereef.com/berlin.html
Simple, proven design. Build quality is outstanding. It uses filter pads instead of socks, so you can use any material you like or a mix. So much easier to clean and cheap/easy to swap out completely.
They are made to order so they can be customized to your needs. Mine is pretty much "stock" and I'm just waiting on a couple filter canisters. I made my fuge a couple inches smaller to fit the length of my stand.
There is a wait list though.