Both the ClariSea and RedSea units are great at what they are designed to do. However, you must realize that they were designed to use very different types of filter paper.
The ClariSea uses 50 micron paper. The Red Sea uses 200 micron paper.
A lot of complaints ClariSea have been about paper consumption - this is likely due to the filter being placed too low in the sump. A 50 micron paper needs more pressure to force water through it than a 200 micron paper. If the ClariSea is placed too low it will cause the water level sensor to trigger the paper advancement very frequently. A 50 micron paper will also polish the water better than a 200 micron paper. You also can't expect to pass a ton of water through a 50 micron filter. If your filter is mounted high and you are still consuming a roll a month, back off on the amount of water being sent to the filter.
I use the ClariSea 5000 and love it. However, I have it installed very high in my sump. I consume a roll about every 90 days with 95% of my 150 gal tank overflow going through the filter.
The 200 micron Red Sea can be placed lower in the sump (but the unit is overall much larger than the Clarisea) without excessive paper consumption. If you place the RedSea very high in the sump, it may take a very long time for the paper to advance and therefore cause breakdown of waste to occur in your sump before it has a chance to get taken out onto the paper roll.
You should always check your consumption rate. Place a mark on the paper and monitor how long it takes for that mark to pass through the filter. If it takes longer than 2 days, you need to raise your filter and/or increase the amount of water being passed through it.
The ClariSea uses 50 micron paper. The Red Sea uses 200 micron paper.
A lot of complaints ClariSea have been about paper consumption - this is likely due to the filter being placed too low in the sump. A 50 micron paper needs more pressure to force water through it than a 200 micron paper. If the ClariSea is placed too low it will cause the water level sensor to trigger the paper advancement very frequently. A 50 micron paper will also polish the water better than a 200 micron paper. You also can't expect to pass a ton of water through a 50 micron filter. If your filter is mounted high and you are still consuming a roll a month, back off on the amount of water being sent to the filter.
I use the ClariSea 5000 and love it. However, I have it installed very high in my sump. I consume a roll about every 90 days with 95% of my 150 gal tank overflow going through the filter.
The 200 micron Red Sea can be placed lower in the sump (but the unit is overall much larger than the Clarisea) without excessive paper consumption. If you place the RedSea very high in the sump, it may take a very long time for the paper to advance and therefore cause breakdown of waste to occur in your sump before it has a chance to get taken out onto the paper roll.
You should always check your consumption rate. Place a mark on the paper and monitor how long it takes for that mark to pass through the filter. If it takes longer than 2 days, you need to raise your filter and/or increase the amount of water being passed through it.