Fleece roller for WaterBox 230.6

[Luckyduck]

I've got a WB 230.6 being delivered soon, super excited to upgrade my 110.4. I'm amassing equipment now. Ive never used a Fleece Roller and I think I want to give one a go with this build. It's between 3 models.

Redsea ReefMat 1200
Clarisea SK5000
Klir V2 DI-7

It's worth noting I run a pretty extensive Hydros system which is why the Klir interests me. I would love smart capabilities just to be able to monitor when the roll is getting close to change which I know ClariSea does not but they do look like they've got great ratings. What are y'alls thoughts?

 

[exnisstech]

I pulled my klir out of my 330.7 and went back to socks. Maybe I got spoiled with my reefmat 500 on another tank but found the klir V2 DI 7 a tital pita to change floss. The only reason i bought the klir was because it was on clearance and didn't required plumbing.
I would put a 1200 in but I have trouble getting around to work inside the stand so I don't feel like plumbing it. Im very happy with the reefbeat app to run the reefmat and a reefdose that I use. I have no experience with any controller.

 

[Luckyduck]

I pulled my klir out of my 330.7 and went back to socks. Maybe I got spoiled with my reefmat 500 on another tank but found the klir V2 DI 7 a tital pita to change floss. The only reason i bought the klir was because it was on clearance and didn't required plumbing.
I would put a 1200 in but I have trouble getting around to work inside the stand so I don't feel like plumbing it. Im very happy with the reefbeat app to run the reefmat and a reefdose that I use. I have no experience with any controller.

I would absolutely put a ReefMat 1200 in it. Love the idea of app control at least just to see what it's doing at all times. I'm just not sure it'll fit. It says it's 8.7" and the roller chamber is 8.5" wide. I've always used socks myself but I'm intrigued by the idea of super clear water and and also not having to take my socks to the Laundromat every month cuz my wife forbade me to use our washer lol I'm sure the ReefMat 500 would fit but it's ts only rated for a 130 gallon and that's too far off.

 

[exnisstech]

I started using 200 micron mesh socks in tanks without the roller. They do a decent job and can be cleaned with a garden hose. I would go filter less if I had to go back to using felt socks lol.

 

[RoanokeReef]

I would absolutely put a ReefMat 1200 in it. Love the idea of app control at least just to see what it's doing at all times. I'm just not sure it'll fit. It says it's 8.7" and the roller chamber is 8.5" wide. I've always used socks myself but I'm intrigued by the idea of super clear water and and also not having to take my socks to the Laundromat every month cuz my wife forbade me to use our washer lol I'm sure the ReefMat 500 would fit but it's ts only rated for a 130 gallon and that's too far off.

I could be wrong, but I thought GPH was more important for sizing the Reefmats not tank size.

 

[Krux]

Clarisea sk5000 works splendidly in my 190.5

 

[Luckyduck]

Clarisea sk5000 works splendidly in my 190.5

Fantastic! Thanks for confirming. I believe the 190.5 and 230.6 are the same sump. No problems with fitment? Do you notice a difference in water clarity? I just don't wanna have to pull socks every 5-7 days, I got out of town for work a good amount and it's one less thing for my wife to do with my tank. Sick of going to the laundromat every 6 weeks too.

 

[Luckyduck]

I would absolutely put a ReefMat 1200 in it. Love the idea of app control at least just to see what it's doing at all times. I'm just not sure it'll fit. It says it's 8.7" and the roller chamber is 8.5" wide. I've always used socks myself but I'm intrigued by the idea of super clear water and and also not having to take my socks to the Laundromat every month cuz my wife forbade me to use our washer lol I'm sure the ReefMat 500 would fit but it's ts only rated for a 130 gallon and that's too far off.

I could be wrong, but I thought GPH was more important for sizing the Reefmats not tank size.

Yea probably but it's hard to anticipate flow rate or at that point even calculate it unless you have a flow sensor on your return.

 

[Krux]

Fantastic! Thanks for confirming. I believe the 190.5 and 230.6 are the same sump. No problems with fitment? Do you notice a difference in water clarity? I just don't wanna have to pull socks every 5-7 days, I got out of town for work a good amount and it's one less thing for my wife to do with my tank. Sick of going to the laundromat every 6 weeks too.

I had no real issues getting it installed, I used a slip fit so I could remove it for easy cleaning. The water level is naturally a bit high so the sensor went off a lot, I got a 1" platform to raise it up and have had no issues since.

To be fair I have run a filter roller on my last 3 tanks so I can't remember a clarity difference, but I do enjoy not needing to change filter socks or risk bad water quality.

I re-routed the drain line to bypass the back chamber and then used barb fittings with silicone tubing (I do this frequently and am a big proponent) to remove vibrations as seen here:

Admittedly the Red Sea model is nice with it's digital data output, but I have eyes and don't need to be told my roll is mostly depleted. Additionally they can be finicky and friends that have them go through a LOT more filter material than I do. I average a roll every 2-3 months and I have a very dense fish load and feed a ton.

Hope that helps if you go with the Clarisea. Remember that whatever unit you buy, always have a roll or two in backup so you don't have an emergency getting more - they are cheap enough to throw on the bookshelf.

 

[Luckyduck]

Fantastic! Thanks for confirming. I believe the 190.5 and 230.6 are the same sump. No problems with fitment? Do you notice a difference in water clarity? I just don't wanna have to pull socks every 5-7 days, I got out of town for work a good amount and it's one less thing for my wife to do with my tank. Sick of going to the laundromat every 6 weeks too.

I had no real issues getting it installed, I used a slip fit so I could remove it for easy cleaning. The water level is naturally a bit high so the sensor went off a lot, I got a 1" platform to raise it up and have had no issues since.

To be fair I have run a filter roller on my last 3 tanks so I can't remember a clarity difference, but I do enjoy not needing to change filter socks or risk bad water quality.

I re-routed the drain line to bypass the back chamber and then used barb fittings with silicone tubing (I do this frequently and am a big proponent) to remove vibrations as seen here:

Admittedly the Red Sea model is nice with it's digital data output, but I have eyes and don't need to be told my roll is mostly depleted. Additionally they can be finicky and friends that have them go through a LOT more filter material than I do. I average a roll every 2-3 months and I have a very dense fish load and feed a ton.

Hope that helps if you go with the Clarisea. Remember that whatever unit you buy, always have a roll or two in backup so you don't have an emergency getting more - they are cheap enough to throw on the bookshelf.

That's great info! Thank you very much for taking the time to explain all of that. I think I'll pull the trigger on the ClariSea. You make a good point about having eyes lol I'm also not a big fan of Redsea and would rather not give them business. I appreciate the pictures. I still don't have the tank, waiting on shipping estimate so I have time to get the plumbing together. The only thing that I dislike is that it makes the back drain chamber unused and that where I like to put the heaters.

 

[Luckyduck]

I had no real issues getting it installed, I used a slip fit so I could remove it for easy cleaning. The water level is naturally a bit high so the sensor went off a lot, I got a 1" platform to raise it up and have had no issues since.

To be fair I have run a filter roller on my last 3 tanks so I can't remember a clarity difference, but I do enjoy not needing to change filter socks or risk bad water quality.

I re-routed the drain line to bypass the back chamber and then used barb fittings with silicone tubing (I do this frequently and am a big proponent) to remove vibrations as seen here:

Admittedly the Red Sea model is nice with it's digital data output, but I have eyes and don't need to be told my roll is mostly depleted. Additionally they can be finicky and friends that have them go through a LOT more filter material than I do. I average a roll every 2-3 months and I have a very dense fish load and feed a ton.

Hope that helps if you go with the Clarisea. Remember that whatever unit you buy, always have a roll or two in backup so you don't have an emergency getting more - they are cheap enough to throw on the bookshelf.

Hey I had another question for you on the plumbing. Did you have to buy special adapters or were you able to use standard PVC fittings? I really like what you did there with the soft pipe

 

[Krux]

Moving from the Waterbox drain to the sump I did need to convert to standard plumbing which made it easier for every other run. The conversion is hidden pretty well, the unions are metric on one side and standard on the other so it was pretty seamless.

from that leg of the drain to the roller I did not, I used a slip to barb that is a close (friction) fit for the elbow supplied with the Clarisea, and I can just pull the fitting out for removal.

The connection isn't under any pressure, and in the event it did somehow work its self out it would simply drain into the sump so no risk of flood. One wind of teflon tape made it fit snugly. I would never try to do this for a pressurized system, but in this application it functions like a $.79 union - it is easier to pull the fitting out than remove the hose from the barbs.

 

[Krux]

That's great info! Thank you very much for taking the time to explain all of that. I think I'll pull the trigger on the ClariSea. You make a good point about having eyes lol I'm also not a big fan of Redsea and would rather not give them business. I appreciate the pictures. I still don't have the tank, waiting on shipping estimate so I have time to get the plumbing together. The only thing that I dislike is that it makes the back drain chamber unused and that where I like to put the heaters.

I don't see any reason a leg of the drain couldn't pass through the back chamber with the heaters if you really wanted to stash them back there and out of the way.

I have in the main sump a relatively good sized skimmer (Bubble King 200) an Avast K1 kalk reactor, an Abyzz A100 pump that feeds my UV loop, 3X300 watt heaters and a PaxBellum N18 algae reactor. The return section holds another A100 for the return.

 

[Leon.NYC]

Hey Lucky, I ordered the same waterbox 230.6. Was yours on backorder when you ordered yours? Mine originally said that it was to ship by August 31st but now they are saying they are unsure and dont have have a ship window/date as yet. Curious to see what others have experienced.

 

[Luckyduck]

Moving from the Waterbox drain to the sump I did need to convert to standard plumbing which made it easier for every other run. The conversion is hidden pretty well, the unions are metric on one side and standard on the other so it was pretty seamless.

from that leg of the drain to the roller I did not, I used a slip to barb that is a close (friction) fit for the elbow supplied with the Clarisea, and I can just pull the fitting out for removal.

The connection isn't under any pressure, and in the event it did somehow work its self out it would simply drain into the sump so no risk of flood. One wind of teflon tape made it fit snugly. I would never try to do this for a pressurized system, but in this application it functions like a $.79 union - it is easier to pull the fitting out than remove the hose from the barbs.

Yea that makes perfect sense. Definitely easier to pull a fitting than a barb. And like you said it's not under pressure so no need to worry about the slip fit.

 

[Luckyduck]

Hey Lucky, I ordered the same waterbox 230.6. Was yours on backorder when you ordered yours? Mine originally said that it was to ship by August 31st but now they are saying they are unsure and dont have have a ship window/date as yet. Curious to see what others have experienced.

I ordered mine June 2nd. Ship date was originally July 5th. That date came and went and they said the same thing, that they would contact me when they had a shipping window. It was about a week later when they contacted me and said it would be August 12th through the 22nd. When I took delivery last Tuesday which would have been the 19th. It was hard but I was patient. I know they build these overseas and then they get shipped to them in Florida where they additional assembly and pack everything in to a crate. That was 100% worth the wait! The tank came in beautiful shape . No scratches or dents even in the Box and pallet . I still don't have mine set up yet although the stand was put together the day I got it LOL I actually just got the tank downstairs yesterday . That was quite the operation! I used a 2200 lb engine hoist to lower it down the step. Buy suction cups off of Amazon too! VERY helpful!! That is if you're moving it yourself.

 

[bangbang]

Hey Lucky, I ordered the same waterbox 230.6. Was yours on backorder when you ordered yours? Mine originally said that it was to ship by August 31st but now they are saying they are unsure and dont have have a ship window/date as yet. Curious to see what others have experienced.

I am in the same boat.. ordered when they had 15% discount.. originally they said will ship by 31st, but no news thus far.. kinda making me restless now! Offering discounts while not being able to handle the order volumes is cheap marketing strategy IMO

 

[Luckyduck]

Hey Lucky, I ordered the same waterbox 230.6. Was yours on backorder when you ordered yours? Mine originally said that it was to ship by August 31st but now they are saying they are unsure and dont have have a ship window/date as yet. Curious to see what others have experienced.

I am in the same boat.. ordered when they had 15% discount.. originally they said will ship by 31st, but no news thus far.. kinda making me restless now! Offering discounts while not being able to handle the order volumes is cheap marketing strategy IMO

Yea I wasn't too happy about that myself when I saw it being on sale for 15% off while I paid a higher price almost two months prior. And they're not even in stock. I did email them about it and they did credit me the 15% which I was very happy about! To keep in mind that most aquariums especially of that size is not something that is generally kept in stock. I know most manufacturers have at least a 2-3 month turn around. Redsea does, Innovative Marine usually does but they currently are overstocked. I think Amazon has definitely changed our expectations the we wait for packages lol You won't be disappointed, I can guarantee you that! It just gives you more time to get your supplies together. What are you upgrading from? Assuming you're upgrading from something.

 

[bangbang]

Hey Lucky, I ordered the same waterbox 230.6. Was yours on backorder when you ordered yours? Mine originally said that it was to ship by August 31st but now they are saying they are unsure and dont have have a ship window/date as yet. Curious to see what others have experienced.

I am in the same boat.. ordered when they had 15% discount.. originally they said will ship by 31st, but no news thus far.. kinda making me restless now! Offering discounts while not being able to handle the order volumes is cheap marketing strategy IMO

Yea I wasn't too happy about that myself when I saw it being on sale for 15% off while I paid a higher price almost two months prior. And they're not even in stock. I did email them about it and they did credit me the 15% which I was very happy about! To keep in mind that most aquariums especially of that size is not something that is generally kept in stock. I know most manufacturers have at least a 2-3 month turn around. Redsea does, Innovative Marine usually does but they currently are overstocked. I think Amazon has definitely changed our expectations the we wait for packages lol You won't be disappointed, I can guarantee you that! It just gives you more time to get your supplies together. What are you upgrading from? Assuming you're upgrading from something.

Actually it’s my first hence double the excitement.. will be visiting this forum more often once it arrives and I am all set to get rolling

 

[Leon.NYC]

Yea I wasn't too happy about that myself when I saw it being on sale for 15% off while I paid a higher price almost two months prior. And they're not even in stock. I did email them about it and they did credit me the 15% which I was very happy about! To keep in mind that most aquariums especially of that size is not something that is generally kept in stock. I know most manufacturers have at least a 2-3 month turn around. Redsea does, Innovative Marine usually does but they currently are overstocked. I think Amazon has definitely changed our expectations the we wait for packages lol You won't be disappointed, I can guarantee you that! It just gives you more time to get your supplies together. What are you upgrading from? Assuming you're upgrading from something.

Hah you make some great points for sure.. in this age of the internet, we’ve become used to instant gratification.

Im upgrading from a 4 foot Pro Clear tank.. was my first tank getting into the hobby. Think I went the way that a lot Of us did.. started out in 2020 wanting a fish only, then graduated to softies, then LPS for movement, now here we are with a mixed reef lol.

I currently have aptasia in my current tank so I and not transferring anything but I did put a bucket with ceramic media, bacteria & frozen food to cook until the new tank is here.

I’m also using this weekend to leverage any deals on equipment.. I had some subpar equipment when I got started to now.