Red sea reef matt help!

[alindell]

I have a red sea reef matt 500 set up on this new aquarium that I'm cycling. Currently going through the algea phase. The thing is going through like 145 inches a day? Is there any way I can slow this down so I can make this roll last a little longer? I'm new to roller mats.

 

[TX_REEF]

I would suspect that the flow you have going through the mat is way too high, causing it to overwork. What’s your tank size, and what’s the flow you have set on your return pump?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

You could also do a sock or a cup with floss until things settle down. But as @TX_REEF says you might need to dial in your flow, but even then on a new tank you will use more than usual.

 

[alindell]

I would suspect that the flow you have going through the mat is way too high, causing it to overwork. What’s your tank size, and what’s the flow you have set on your return pump?

This new tank is about 80 gallons and I'm using a vectra m2 pump about 40%

 

[alindell]

It might be too much flow. I have it on the low setting too

 

[Waters]

Yeah that is crazy.....I am using on average 15" per day on a Reefmat 1200 on a 200g system. It has been in use for about a month. What are you using for roll advance length?

 

[alindell]

I have it on the lowest setting

 

[TX_REEF]

I would turn down the return pump further, and increase the mat advance length to the length of the bottom of the mat chamber. This will cause the mat to advance less frequently, which will also extend the life of the roller motor.

Better yet, like a previous post said, just use filter floss until the system is cycled and settled so you aren't needlessly burning thru roller mat.

 

[exnisstech]

I too would reduce the return flow.
I used to run my roller on the lowest advance setting thinking it would use less floss. I took @TX_REEF advice and increased the advanced length and am actually using less floss and less wear and tear on the motor. I'm no where near your amount but I added mine after the tank has been running for several months. In your case I would probably run floss as mentioned.

 

[BryanM]

This new tank is about 80 gallons and I'm using a vectra m2 pump about 40%

Not accounting for head loss/etc, 40% of 2000 is 800 gph, or 10x sump->tank turnover. Assuming you also have wavemakers in the DT, you can easily lower this down to 3x, which is where I ran mine when I had a reefmat.

 

[ReefCave303]

If you have too much media in the little box on the bottom it will cause this. It happened to me.

 

[ReefCave303]

If you have too much media in the little box on the bottom it will cause this. It happened to me.

 

[alindell]

I too would reduce the return flow.
I used to run my roller on the lowest advance setting thinking it would use less floss. I took @TX_REEF advice and increased the advanced length and am actually using less floss and less wear and tear on the motor. I'm no where near your amount but I added mine after the tank has been running for several months. In your case I would probably run floss as mentioned.

So what length should I set it too if I'm not going to switch over to socks

 

[exnisstech]

I've been running mine on 2.0 -2.2" setting. I wouldn't switch to socks, you'll just have to change them all the time. I still think it sounds like you may need to turn down your return flow. Personally I set my return flow rate to achieve a level in the overflow I want and enough flow for filtration and still be quiet. I don't bother calculating flow rates. I depend on in tank power heads for tank turnover but I also don't calculate that I just watch the corals and how food blows around. It won't hurt anything if it does over flow. Many people run no mechanical filtration. I turn my auto advance off a few nights a week and let it overflow so the corals get food.

 

[TX_REEF]

approx. 10cm - you should do this adjustment regardless.

to be clear, we're not suggesting to switch to socks, we're suggesting temporarily use socks or floss to reduce your roller mat wastage while your system cycles and settles.

 

[alindell]

I'll use 10 cm then and see what happens

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

I'll use 10 cm then and see what happens

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