ReefMat 500 vs 1200 running costs?

[mayland]

Helping my teen son set up his new tank and we are trying to decide between the ReefMat 500 vs 1200. The tank is a Waterbox 150.4, and skimmer will likely be a Reef Octopus classic 150. I see that the 1200 filter replacements are more expensive than the 500 roll (of course), but wondered if the running costs are actually about the same (ie, would we go through the 500 rolls faster and end up at about the same running cost?). I realize this is not a budget hobby (!) but the running costs are coming from his allowance :) Also wonder if we can "over filter" or if bigger is better functionally? Thanks for any advice!

 

[Snoopy 67]

You can over filter a little.
With a roller filter you downsize your skimmer by 1 according to the latest thinking because it is so good @ removing things.
Take a look @ Reef Factory also, they make 3 sizes, work well & the roll can last a long time.

 

[Sean Clark]

My allowance would want filter socks and access to my parents washing machine over increased consumables. Keep those cost down so more livestock can be added each month.

 

[mayland]

You can over filter a little.
With a roller filter you downsize your skimmer by 1 according to the latest thinking because it is so good @ removing things.
Take a look @ Reef Factory also, they make 3 sizes, work well & the roll can last a long time.

Thank you, we will take a look at Reef Factory too!

 

[mayland]

My allowance would want filter socks and access to my parents washing machine over increased consumables. Keep those cost down so more livestock can be added each month.

Yes we have circled around this! We don't plan on a controller or auto doser etc but decided to do the filter roller.

 

[TommyP]

Yes we have circled around this! We don't plan on a controller or auto doser etc but decided to do the filter roller.

@mayland how did u end up connecting the Reefmat to the overflow pipe? I just assembled the 500 and am now ttrying to figure out how to connect the corrugated tubing to the downpipe and I’m stuck

 

[C_AWOL]

@mayland how did u end up connecting the Reefmat to the overflow pipe? I just assembled the 500 and am now ttrying to figure out how to connect the corrugated tubing to the downpipe and I’m stuck

The corrugated pipe should fit directly into any pvc fitting or directly to a bulkhead (1" if the 500 has the same pipe as the 1200)

 

[mayland]

@mayland how did u end up connecting the Reefmat to the overflow pipe? I just assembled the 500 and am now ttrying to figure out how to connect the corrugated tubing to the downpipe and I’m stuck

We used the adapters provided with the Reefmat (went with the 1200). Glued one adapter half to the downpipe, screwed (plus glued with the glue provided) the corrugated pipe into the other half. Then connected the two halfs. At the moment just friction, but thinking of gluing these together also (have not filled our tank yet!)