Help with replacement fleece rolls for the ARF-20 Fleece Roller - Did I make a mistake?

Fish Fan · Sep 3, 2023

Hi guys! I am planning a new build after not having a reef tank since 2018, and I got interested in these fleece roller mechanical filters. I have always hated dealing with the filter socks, and I thought these rollers just make a lot of sense. I have a FijiCube Gen 1 24" sump, and I noticed that BRS offered this ARF-20 roller that seems an ideal match for my sump. I happen to catch it on sale, and I pulled the trigger on it:

https://fresh.bulkreefsupply.com/ar...6&indexName=brs_prod_m2_brs_dtcfw_en_products

I'm now looking at replacement roller mats for this filter, and I'm coming up short. BRS has been out of stock on the replacements since I ordered the roller about two and a half weeks ago. And, they want $18.99 for a new roll. It looks like Premium Aquatics also has them, but, again they want $18/roll. I'm sorry, but the cost of these replacement rolls seems pretty high to me, especially when some have said they use a new roll every week. Even at once a month I don't want to spend $18/month on glorified filter floss.

I am worried I made a mistake by choosing this particular roller filter, and I'm considering returning it.

I have read that some reef2reef members are buying their replacement roller mats on eBay at a discount. I cannot seem to find a size that fits this ARF-20 (6"x82").

Can anyone recommend a decent, low-cost replacement filter roll for this ARF-20? If not, I think I want to return it in favor of a different roller.

Thank you for your help!

Coolcasino · Sep 3, 2023

All fleece rollers will have the replacement rolls at around the same price. I have the Reefmat 500 and rolls are $15 or so. I go thru 1 every month and a half or so. You should be getting your rolls to last a bit more than a week. My first roll lasted 15 days and kept increasing. I don't use the eBay ones but I believe if you contact that eBay seller he can custom make rolls for you and I also believe he has different microns. You will want a higher micron if you don't want to change them that frequently. As a side note... even at $18 if sure beats changing and washing socks.

Fish Fan · Sep 3, 2023

Coolcasino said:
All fleece rollers will have the replacement rolls at around the same price. I have the Reefmat 500 and rolls are $15 or so. I go thru 1 every month and a half or so. You should be getting your rolls to last a bit more than a week. My first roll lasted 15 days and kept increasing. I don't use the eBay ones but I believe if you contact that eBay seller he can custom make rolls for you and I also believe he has different microns. You will want a higher micron if you don't want to change them that frequently. As a side note... even at $18 if sure beats changing and washing socks.

Thank you! I do not even have my system running yet, so this is all on paper.

I posted here prior to buying this roller mat filter and a few replies indicated that there may be discounted rolls available. Dealing with the filter socks is the worst, but I almost think I could buy four socks/month and just throw one out each week for the price of these fitter rolls.

Is there a roller replacement for the ARF-20 that's less than $18?

Thanks again!

Coolcasino · Sep 3, 2023

Fish Fan said:
Is there a roller replacement for the ARF-20 that's less than $18?

I would not know. Try contacting the seller on ebay. Maybe someone with that particular roller will chime in.

Fish Fan · Sep 4, 2023

Coolcasino said:
I would not know. Try contacting the seller on ebay. Maybe someone with that particular roller will chime in.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I’m hoping there’s someone that owns this exact filter and also knows a place to get inexpensive replacement rolls. Inexpensive rolls seem to exists, I just can’t find the size for this filter.

Lbrdsoxfan · Sep 4, 2023

Look up precision converting, out of Michigan. Many reefers have had rolls made by Steve, it will be cheaper but with shipping factored in your down to about 12$ a roll depending on order (he has a minimum order).

BTW, the fiji cube roller is just a slightly modded aquamaxx which is based on the bubble magus filter rollers. Your media should be 6" wide or medium sized on the bubble magus media. The roller dosent care which brand you use, its all the same stuff. Id frankly avoid the 20 micron fiji fleece, bubble magus is closer to 50 micron.

I have ordered from precision for a few years now but frankly I've been ordering the paper from the ultimate china hut (Ali express) as of late. I run a total of 3 rollers (2 small,1 medium) so I'm ordering a LOT at once.

HTH, as I've BTDT with more than a few brands of filter rollers and available media.

Fish Fan · Sep 4, 2023

Lbrdsoxfan said:
Look up precision converting, out of Michigan. Many reefers have had rolls made by Steve, it will be cheaper but with shipping factored in your down to about 12$ a roll depending on order (he has a minimum order).

BTW, the fiji cube roller is just a slightly modded aquamaxx which is based on the bubble magus filter rollers. Your media should be 6" wide or medium sized on the bubble magus media. The roller dosent care which brand you use, its all the same stuff. Id frankly avoid the 20 micron fiji fleece, bubble magus is closer to 50 micron.

I have ordered from precision for a few years now but frankly I've been ordering the paper from the ultimate china hut (Ali express) as of late. I run a total of 3 rollers (2 small,1 medium) so I'm ordering a LOT at once.

HTH, as I've BTDT with more than a few brands of filter rollers and available media.

Thank you for your reply! I will look into ordering through Precision Converting. At $12 that's a 33% savings from the other ones. I agree, I don't care what brand I use, I just want one that fits my roller unit. I'll check out the Bubble Magus rollers too.

Why do you say not to get the 20 micron filters? Do they clog too quickly or remove too much?

Thanks again!

Lbrdsoxfan · Sep 4, 2023

IME 20 micron clogs too quickly. You'll burn through media something fierce.

Fish Fan · Sep 4, 2023

Lbrdsoxfan said:
IME 20 micron clogs too quickly. You'll burn through media something fierce.

Gotcha! Thanks again for your help!

Coolcasino · Sep 4, 2023

That's who I was trying to tell you but could not remember... precision converting... that's the eBay seller. That's gonna be your best bet.

Fish Fan · Sep 4, 2023

^Great, I will check them out for sure. Thanks again!

Fish Fan · Sep 6, 2023

Alright, so I did a little more searching and I think I found my rolls on AliExpress. I've never used that site, but the reviews for this particular listing seemed very good. I found other listing with even cheaper rolls, but without all the reviews. I may give these guys a try.

AliExpress Filter Rolls

Coolcasino · Sep 6, 2023

Thats a great price. The shipping seems to take forever but if they are good rolls then buying a few at a time sounds like a good plan.

Fish Fan · Sep 6, 2023

Coolcasino said:
Thats a great price. The shipping seems to take forever but if they are good rolls then buying a few at a time sounds like a good plan.

Dude, my tank isn't even running yet, so to wait a couple weeks for shipping is no problem. I have never used one of these Chinese run sites, but, again, the reviews seemed solid. I found others that were less expensive, but without the reviews, and I just don't know.

But there's hope that my new filter won't cost me $18 for a roll of fleece!

Lbrdsoxfan · Sep 6, 2023

Fish Fan said:
Alright, so I did a little more searching and I think I found my rolls on AliExpress. I've never used that site, but the reviews for this particular listing seemed very good. I found other listing with even cheaper rolls, but without all the reviews. I may give these guys a try.

AliExpress Filter Rolls

As said above its who i've been ordering from as of late...

Fish Fan · Sep 6, 2023

Lbrdsoxfan said:
As said above its who i've been ordering from as of late...

Nice! Good to know you can trust these sites!

Lbrdsoxfan · Sep 6, 2023

Coolcasino said:
Thats a great price. The shipping seems to take forever but if they are good rolls then buying a few at a time sounds like a good plan.

About 8-10 days for me to get here to Los Angeles area. I just order 3 @ a time for the small & medium size.

Fish Fan · Sep 6, 2023

Lbrdsoxfan said:
About 8-10 days for me to get here to Los Angeles area. I just order 3 @ a time for the small & medium size.

I'm thinking much the same. I want the mediums for my ARF-20 roller, but I also want smaller ones for an IM Nuvo 10 or 15 if available (and I think they are!). I think shipping to where I am on the East Coast would add a few days, but totally acceptable at this point in my build. If I can find affordable rollers, I would be very happy as I've always hated the socks.

Thanks again for your reply!