Dual Red Sea Reef Mats

[trevorhiller]

I keep seeing dual Red Sea reef mats on tanks in tank tour videos. Top Shelf Aquatics, WWC, and even on Fish of Hex recently.

I’m curious what the logic behind this is? If you are using two of them, I’d love to hear! What are you gaining from a second unit that one is not providing?

It seems like a giant waste of money from first glance, so I’m genuinely curious if I’m missing something.

I’m planning to try one on my next tank, but maybe I’m missing some negative feedback about using one of them.

 

[Doctorgori]

what? ….I can see it on the one hand but they way the reefmat works doesn’t allow for much bypass …
it might make more sense to me if the rollers were of two different micron sizes …but I’m. it aware of any aftermarket rolls

you got a video snippet of the setup?

 

[trevorhiller]

This one is running 4 of them lol:



There are more too, but that was just a few I could find quickly. TSA seems to install multiple routinely on these “higher end” (Read: No budget) tanks

I just wonder if the people paying for multiple of these realize…

 

[exnisstech]

Not sure why anyone would want to run two. Heck one strips the water enough that I turn it off at night several times a week and let it over flow.
EDIT : Internet super stars with sponsers or deep pockets?

 

[trevorhiller]

Nor sure why anyone would want to run two. Heck one strips the water enough that I turn it off at night several times a week and let it over flow.

That’s the feedback I’ve been hearing as well, they are extremely efficient.

It seems like a classic LFS money grab to me.

Sell extra equipment, sell more filter media, sell extra food when they over strip the water of nutrients, sell more media to compensate for the extra food, etc. cycle continues until some poor soul realizes they are spending hundreds of dollars a month chasing their tails.

 

[RoanokeReef]

This one is running 4 of them lol:



There are more too, but that was just a few I could find quickly. TSA seems to install multiple routinely on these “higher end” (Read: No budget) tanks

I just wonder if the people paying for multiple of these realize…

@TopShelfAquatics can you provide any insight?

 

[Doctorgori]

Nor sure why anyone would want to run two. Heck one strips the water enough that I turn it off at night several times a week and let it over flow.
EDIT : Internet super stars with sponsers or deep pockets?

yeah and by next year they will be buying nitrate and dosing it ….
I’ve been reefing for a few decades and I’m still miffed

 

[trevorhiller]

It continues:

Two skimmer, two roller mats:

 

[Doctorgori]

It continues:

Two skimmer, two roller mats:

 

[Ziggy17]

While you’re add it, run two tritons and two triton NPs and have them collect the sample water from different locations to make sure the tests are accurate…..

 

[C_AWOL]

I run 2 on a 470g display very high bioload + high tank turn over rate fowlr.
1 can't possibly handle the gph of this system (~8000gph pre-head pressure) and would exhaust far too rapidly even if it could and only through the use of 2 + carbon dosing + a large fuge can I maintain <10ppm nitrates (not mandatory for a fowlr but i prefer "cleaner" water for this situation)

Is this going to be the case for everyone? Certainly not, but in my situation it's at least easier to justify.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I have had my sump custom made for two 1200's. But they aren't really for my display, sort of. I currently have a 1200 on one tank and a 500 on another. Due to how much these can strip the system, I don't think they are hooked up 50% of the time currently. However, when custom building items, you can really future proof yourself.

My main (new) display is 375G. My max display turn is 6 through a 1200. In addition to my sump being made to handle 2 1200's, it is almost made to handle some additional water. I am going to have 2 frag tanks and a 55G cryptic sump plumbed into the sump. I will also have capacity for another 55G display (softie/LPS) display. I for sure am going to have the cryptic run through one of the 1200's, and likely both frag systems. My main display will likely run 50% through one of them. I am adding a diverter valve prior to the 1200 to divert some of the water from the display to the 1200. My display has 1 full siphon (will go to a 1200) and 2 secondaries (will just dump in the sump) and an emergency, that will splash into the sump. And, if I don't like this setup at all, I can convert the roller zone into a refugium zone and simply dump in there. I may start with a 1200 and a 500, but, when I am fully up an running I will have 2 running. Should make it fun.