Thinking of a ReefMat? Just do it!

[mrbacony]

So I finally decided to give up on the filter socks and go with a Red Sea ReefMat 500. I have been eyeing it for quite some time, but I did not want the hassle of cutting out the filter sock holders. It was not as bad as I was expecting. I was able to do the complete job from start to finish in about 4 1/2 hours. This included tearing apart the skimmer and return pump for a deep clean.
All I can say is wow! Look at the roll. This is less than 6 hours of gunk. Boy, it does an amazing job. So if you are on the fence, I can say it is a worthwhile investment in money and time.

 

[blaxsun]

Yep - even the initial fleece roll "upgrade" pays for itself in about a week of time saved scrubbing filter socks, etc. Just don't use the included media basket - it clogs too easy leading to higher filter usage.

 

[Northern Flicker]

Redsea2Redsea

 

[Doctorgori]

3 outta 4 of my tanks got one, I’ll never go back to socks… only complaint is the bulk but so far these have worked flawlessly

 

[mrbacony]

Yep - even the initial fleece roll "upgrade" pays for itself in about a week of time saved scrubbing filter socks, etc. Just don't use the included media basket - it clogs too easy leading to higher filter usage.

Good to know. I already have a GFO and carbon reactor. I thought about just putting a piece of Polyfilter in there. But I will skip that now. Thanks

 

[mrbacony]

3 outta 4 of my tanks got one, I’ll never go back to socks… only complaint is the bulk but so far these have worked flawlessly

Yeah it does take up quite a bit of space. I had more room with the filter sock holder in place. But I still have enough to accommodate everything. Just a bit tight

 

[QuickrdenU]

Would love to find some fleece alternatives for refills. Maybe something a little less dense.

 

[Joj]

Would love to find some fleece alternatives for refills. Maybe something a little less dense.

Check out preconfilter https://preconfilter.com/products (online and eBay). Comes out to about $~20 a roll for 1200 series (6.7” wide by) if you buy 5 or more. The have the 50 micron and 80 micron. Steve from preconfilter is fast to respond. Only thing is that their rolls comes in 2” only. The Reefmat roll sizes are only 1.5” so you’ll need to get a reducer. I just bought my 3D reducer from mackdave on this site too.

Just installed mines yesterday and water is clearer than when I was running 100 micron mesh socks.

Ordered the aftermarket fleece rollers and will see how they do vs oem. Redsea list their fleece not based on micron but 50g/m2 weight which preconfilter says is close to 20 micron. They also have those micron size too if needed.

HTH

 

[MichaelReefer]

Have a Clarisea and will never go back to socks or filter cups.

 

[NeveSSL]

Check out preconfilter https://preconfilter.com/products (online and eBay). Comes out to about $~20 a roll for 1200 series (6.7” wide by) if you buy 5 or more. The have the 50 micron and 80 micron. Steve from preconfilter is fast to respond. Only thing is that their rolls comes in 2” only. The Reefmat roll sizes are only 1.5” so you’ll need to get a reducer. I just bought my 3D reducer from mackdave on this site too.

Just installed mines yesterday and water is clearer than when I was running 100 micron mesh socks.

Ordered the aftermarket fleece rollers and will see how they do vs oem. Redsea list their fleece not based on micron but 50g/m2 weight which preconfilter says is close to 20 micron. They also have those micron size too if needed.

HTH

So you haven't tried the preconfilter rolls yet? I'm thinking about ordering some, too.

Brandon

 

[Joj]

So you haven't tried the preconfilter rolls yet? I'm thinking about ordering some, too.

Brandon

I have not. I do have them in my possession but still on the first roll that was included with the reef mat, but in another thread, others have used it and reports similar results with it and the original fleece rollers

 

[NeveSSL]

Thank you for the reply! I have seen people using them on the 500, hadn't been able to find anyone using it one the 1200. I may just go ahead and give it a shot. I'm in the same boat as you... still on the first roll it came with, but going through it fairly quickly. lol

Brandon