ReefMat 500 or 1200 for 126 gallon

kinetic

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
1,264
Reaction score
935
Location
Albany, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a ELOS 120XL coming, and I'm considering getting a ReefMat 500 or 1200. The 500 flow rate is pretty low, whereas I may be running close to the max. Having a bit more flow would be ideal, just in case I need to run higher flow through a UV that will be run on the return line (via parallel manifold). Just wondering if the 1200 would be "overkill" somehow?

126g display
40g-ish sump (custom, still planning)
Ultra Reef 160 skimmer

pretty high bioload (anthias, genicanthus)
 

blaxsun

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
26,709
Reaction score
31,144
Location
The Abyss
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would honestly say it depends on your bio load, ie: the number of fish. I have a 200-gallon Red Sea with roughly 42 fish and I'm upgrading from the ReefMat 500 to the ReefMat 1200 in a week or so - mainly to get extended fleece use with the larger rolls (so instead of changing out every 7-10 days, I'm hoping I can get 2-3 weeks instead).

I think you'll be fine with the ReefMat 500 unless you go insane with stocking like I do.
 
OP
OP
kinetic

kinetic

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
1,264
Reaction score
935
Location
Albany, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would honestly say it depends on your bio load, ie: the number of fish. I have a 200-gallon Red Sea with roughly 42 fish and I'm upgrading from the ReefMat 500 to the ReefMat 1200 in a week or so - mainly to get extended fleece use with the larger rolls (so instead of changing out every 7-10 days, I'm hoping I can get 2-3 weeks instead).

I think you'll be fine with the ReefMat 500 unless you go insane with stocking like I do.

I don't suspect I'll have an insane stocking plan, but if it doesn't hurt to upsize, I might just do it.

1. I'm custom designing the sump anyway, so I'll make sure both the 1200 and 500 would fit
2. If I really need to crank the flow up, the ELOS tank allows for 3,000gph or so of flow through the drain. Not sure if I would do this, but it would be best not to be limited by the ReefMat 500.

Maybe it would even be good. I'd use up less fleece?

I will have a bunch of anthias, genicanthus, and some anemone crabs, so I think I'm going to feed very heavily. I don't think I'll outdo the Reefmat 500, but the ability to go up is still really good.
 

blaxsun

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
26,709
Reaction score
31,144
Location
The Abyss
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I don't suspect I'll have an insane stocking plan, but if it doesn't hurt to upsize, I might just do it.

1. I'm custom designing the sump anyway, so I'll make sure both the 1200 and 500 would fit
2. If I really need to crank the flow up, the ELOS tank allows for 3,000gph or so of flow through the drain. Not sure if I would do this, but it would be best not to be limited by the ReefMat 500.

Maybe it would even be good. I'd use up less fleece?

I will have a bunch of anthias, genicanthus, and some anemone crabs, so I think I'm going to feed very heavily. I don't think I'll outdo the Reefmat 500, but the ability to go up is still really good.
I ran the numbers and the ReefMat 1200 ends up being more cost effective to operate on a per square inch basis for fleece - in addition to extending a lot more time between roll changes. I think it's a great idea to plan for being able to run either the 1200 or 500, but I suspect the 500 will probably meet your needs just fine.
 
OP
OP
kinetic

kinetic

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
1,264
Reaction score
935
Location
Albany, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I ran the numbers and the ReefMat 1200 ends up being more cost effective to operate on a per square inch basis for fleece - in addition to extending a lot more time between roll changes. I think it's a great idea to plan for being able to run either the 1200 or 500, but I suspect the 500 will probably meet your needs just fine.

Thanks a ton!!
 

Eagle78

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 18, 2021
Messages
25
Reaction score
6
Location
Blainville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a ELOS 120XL coming, and I'm considering getting a ReefMat 500 or 1200. The 500 flow rate is pretty low, whereas I may be running close to the max. Having a bit more flow would be ideal, just in case I need to run higher flow through a UV that will be run on the return line (via parallel manifold). Just wondering if the 1200 would be "overkill" somehow?

126g display
40g-ish sump (custom, still planning)
Ultra Reef 160 skimmer

pretty high bioload (anthias, genicanthus)
If you can and fit the 1200 in your sump, get the 1200! That what a did., install it today =). Will see how it run.
 

Eagle78

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 18, 2021
Messages
25
Reaction score
6
Location
Blainville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
what tank do you have?
I have 2 tanks connect to a sump, 130 g and 40 g, both overflow will go in the reefmat 1200. But for now, I only setup the 125 g. Today I level up the reefmat maybe 4 inch so the water in the reefmat have more pressure to pass trough the fleet. I thing it will be more efficiently. Tomorrow I will plug le 40g to reefmat. Hope everything will be fine
 

Being sticky and staying connected: Have you used any reef-safe glue?

  • I have used reef safe glue.

    Votes: 101 86.3%
  • I haven’t used reef safe glue, but plan to in the future.

    Votes: 8 6.8%
  • I have no interest in using reef safe glue.

    Votes: 5 4.3%
  • Other.

    Votes: 3 2.6%
Back
Top