Red Sea ReefMat vs. Reef Factory Smart Roller?

[becky46]

I have a Waterbox Marine X 110.4, and I would really like to get a filter roller. I've been looking at the Red Sea and Reef Factory ones. Both look great, but I'm struggling to pick between the two. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts, particularly the Reef Factory Smart Roller. I'd also be curious to hear if you think there are any other brands worth looking at. Thanks!

 

[Kzang]

I just got the reef factory m for the 6035 peninsula. Brs said the competing Red Sea reef mat that would fit would deplete too fast.

I’m waiting for the plumbing as the dang WB and the reef factory are both metric and I live in the US. Really really stupid to sell products in the US with metric plumbing and not include adapters.

 

[esquare]

I have a Red Sea ReefMat 500 and it works great...too great. I have a low bioload as I have been adding fish/coral slowly and my po4 and no3 always read 0 (using Hanna). Since the ReefMat doesn't have a built in bypass (as far as I know) the only thing I have think to do is turn it off (using my Apex) at certain times during the day which effectively bypasses the fleece.

When I read your post I took a quick look at the Reef Factory Roller and it appears to have a flow adjustment flap which would allow you to bypass some water all the time. So that's one thing to consider.

Other than working too well, I really like the Red Sea.

 

[Reefin' Alaska]

I switched from the ReefMat once the 2nd motor burned out.

I switched to the Roller M about 45 days ago. I was going thru a roll about every 33-35 days with the ReefMat 1200. I'm still on the first roll of the Roller M. Build quality of the ReefMat is really unmatched in the space, but for me, the Roller M seems good thus far.

 

[becky46]

I just got the reef factory m for the 6035 peninsula. Brs said the competing Red Sea reef mat that would fit would deplete too fast.

I’m waiting for the plumbing as the dang WB and the reef factory are both metric and I live in the US. Really really stupid to sell products in the US with metric plumbing and not include adapters.

Just to make sure I'm following--are you saying you need special plumbing to connect the Waterbox tank to the Reef Factory roller?

 

[Kzang]

Just to make sure I'm following--are you saying you need special plumbing to connect the Waterbox tank to the Reef Factory roller?

Yes. If you go to the plumbing section at Lowes or Home Depot, it won’t work. You need metric unions, elbows, etc. 40mm, which is the drain plus other plumbing is metric, on my peninsula 6025, won’t fit US measurements.

Waterbox has the diameters of their plumbing if you go to their website and select your aquarium and scroll down.

edit: you also need 40mm or whatever size in MM pvc pipe.

 

[Reefin' Alaska]

Yes. If you go to the plumbing section at Lowes or Home Depot, it won’t work. You need metric unions, elbows, etc. 40mm, which is the drain plus other plumbing is metric, on my peninsula 6025, won’t fit US measurements.

Waterbox has the diameters of their plumbing if you go to their website and select your aquarium and scroll down.

edit: you also need 40mm or whatever size in MM pvc pipe.

BRS sells conversation fittings. Adaptive reef makes them. Makes it much simpler.

 

[Kzang]

BRS sells conversation fittings. Adaptive reef makes them. Makes it much simpler.

Yes they do, but 40mm is like $15. You’d need two since the reef factory is also metric. Your convert to US then back to metric.

 

[exnisstech]

Have no experience with the reef factory but do have a roller mat 500. It works very well. So well I just removed it because I think it's pulling too much out and corals are not happy.

Not sure if @Lbrdsoxfan has any experience with the reef factory rollers but is very knowledgeable on rollers in general.

 

[Gribbles]

Could just deburr the metric to make the fit. @ChampionLighting graciously offered to do it for me when I purchased mine from them.

The reef factory roller is fantastic btw. And I boycott red sea for other reasons.

 

[becky46]

Yes they do, but 40mm is like $15. You’d need two since the reef factory is also metric. Your convert to US then back to metric.

Wouldn't you also need 40mm piping to connect to the roller input?

 

[Dorking It]

I have a reef factory smart roller m and I am very happy with it. I am halfway threw my first roll. I should get about 90-100 days out of it. I do not miss the socks

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Have no experience with the reef factory but do have a roller mat 500. It works very well. So well I just removed it because I think it's pulling too much out and corals are not happy.

Not sure if @Lbrdsoxfan has any experience with the reef factory rollers but is very knowledgeable on rollers in general.

Haven't played with a reef factory yet, if they get enough traction (as in additional US distributors) I'll get one via my aquarium maintenance contact. I have played with a red sea roller and they were a big meh for the price. Now seeing them in the field for a bit I was right on that prediction, lol.

My suggestion is neither brand, get a cheap bubble magus or aquamaxx and be done with it, does the same thing for 1/2 the price and cheaper cost to replace the rolls.

 

[rm22_newbie]

Could just deburr the metric to make the fit. @ChampionLighting graciously offered to do it for me when I purchased mine from them.

The reef factory roller is fantastic btw. And I boycott red sea for other reasons.

Hi, I bought a ReefMat 500 and lets just say Im not too happy and was looking to get the Reef Factory unit now that they are on sale with BRS, etc. Where can you find the sizes like in metric or US of the 90 elbow used for the Reef Factory? I will have to buy from Champion if they offered to do this, I am horrible when it comes to plumbing. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Dorking It]

The elbow is 40mm on the reef factory m.

 

[rm22_newbie]

The elbow is 40mm on the reef factory m.

Thanks, of course I am looking at the small model, lol. I keep searching but have yet to find anything. Are you satisfied with it still ?

 

[rm22_newbie]

The elbow is 40mm on the reef factory m.

How far does the elbow protrude from the unit? I was looking at the medium however I don't know if it would fit, I see with the elbow and the motor drive unit it's 15" in diameter for the whole thing. Did you simply attach this to the elbow to go to 1.25" pipe? https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/metr...=12431&indexName=brs_prod_m2_default_products

 

[rm22_newbie]

Yes. If you go to the plumbing section at Lowes or Home Depot, it won’t work. You need metric unions, elbows, etc. 40mm, which is the drain plus other plumbing is metric, on my peninsula 6025, won’t fit US measurements.

Waterbox has the diameters of their plumbing if you go to their website and select your aquarium and scroll down.

edit: you also need 40mm or whatever size in MM pvc pipe.

Where did you get the 40mm pipe from? I haven't been able to find it, any build specifics would be great, I did find the 40mm to 1.25" adapter from BRS... https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/metr...=12431&indexName=brs_prod_m2_default_products

 

[rm22_newbie]

I have a Waterbox Marine X 110.4, and I would really like to get a filter roller. I've been looking at the Red Sea and Reef Factory ones. Both look great, but I'm struggling to pick between the two. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts, particularly the Reef Factory Smart Roller. I'd also be curious to hear if you think there are any other brands worth looking at. Thanks!

Hi Becky, which model did you end up choosing?

 

[Dorking It]

Here is what I used

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2345001331...wLRCdMER6i&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY