The Reef Factory Smart Roller Filter - Full Review!

[@shadyrarosreef]

Hi Sam, great review once again! I have a few reef factory items and have been thinking about getting this roller, but my ReefMat is an awesome piece of kit and this one just doesn’t look as sturdy. Any reason why you couldn’t use flexi hose to the inlet like the reef mats?

[@ParkersReef]

you certainly could use the flexi hose if you preferred, I just like the clean look of a hard plumbed install :)

[@sukantamondal3110]

i have 75gallone mixed reef with 7 medium size fishes and heavy bio load. could you tell me how many days this filter could filter the water ?

[@ParkersReef]

Afraid I cannot, there are just too many variables. I would expect you’d get around four months from a roll at a guess though

[@courtney1846]

Best way to start my sunday morning, a Parker's reef video, just a little addicted 🤣

[@ParkersReef]

hahaha I hope you're enjoying the content :)

[@ScottieMacF]

A year later, is this still working out? I have a BM filter roller and am less than enthused with it. Thinking of this one or the Reefmat.

[@ParkersReef]

yes, a year later and it has just finished it's first roll and still working a treat. Would recommend!

[@chriscoombes8063]

Good stuff. A filter roller is definitely on the list. The Red Sea one looks pretty good, but this looks like a very good alternate option. Some good feedback and tweaks suggested in your video and comments though, so maybe I should wait for 2.0 once they make the make the mods 😁 As far as diversions etc., rather than have it incorporated into the roller, I think they would be better off having valves that can divert flow. So it would divert through the roller, or before the roller, but it wouldn’t be part of the roller, so could have multiple uses. If respect to the roller, you could have it getting feedback from auto tester with thresholds set, or you might have it on a time based diversion, or linked to a feed mode etc. I have also suggested in one of their Facebook posts that a high accuracy in line flow meter could be handy. If they could link the 2 things, you could have them talk to each other to split flows to various equipment based on flow rates. It’s all reasonably established technology, but usually in larger industrial equipment. It just needs to be scaled down and coded to link to the smart app. Haha easy enough to say, maybe not to do 😂

[@ParkersReef]

Yes, that is what I meant by some sort of diverter prior to the roller although someone pointed out something clever - you could use a pump rather than a drain to feed the roller and alter the pumps speed based off your tests results… that would work and has me intrigued 😅

[@chriscoombes8063]

Yep, I did notice that reply also and it got me thinking too. It is a good ideas. I don’t know enough about it, but a mate knows how to program Rasberry Pi (as you probably do too), and that has got me thinking about how I can all different equipment and brands etc. could be linked despite operating through different apps.

[@ozzywaz482]

Hi Sam, good review but i can't seem to find anybody that sells them ? it is about the only one that would fit in my sump . Are they still sold in oz ? cheers Warren

[@ParkersReef]

hey Warren, they sure are available in Aus! Talk to your LFS that carries reef factory equipment and they will be able to get you one

[@ozzywaz482]

@@ParkersReef Will do , thanks

[@andrewstrutt1703]

Hey Sam, thanks for the review. Have you discovered what the water line on the unit is for?

[@ParkersReef]

I have not 😅

[@DonoteraseOG]

Thank you, for such an informative review. This video convinced me to get this. Was my 2nd choice (1st choice was the bubble Magus g2). Love the shirt, btw 😊

[@ParkersReef]

Glad I could be of service! Enjoy this fine roller!

[@mattdiscus]

Great review Sam. That media basket is useless. I currently have the red sea roller filter and it has the same problem. What is the micron size of the roller.

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah they are small, but I guess better to include and have available than not to include at all. Not sure what micron the roll is, looking at it - it’s a different material type than others on the market. I’ll see if I can find more info for you

[@kasemg2222]

Interesting video, I'm in the market for a new roller. Now I'm interested in this. Wonder if the roller leaves a smell when it drys up. Cheers

[@ParkersReef]

this one hasn't yet, although to be fair it isn't all that filthy either

[@pn7836]

If you cut out the baffles in the filter sock chamber, would it fit there?

[@ParkersReef]

I reckon it probably would yeah

[@Chris-mi1uu]

Hi Sam, I have trouble finding plumbing fittings that fit my cade. I am in australia aswell where do u recommend? awesome video btw i watch all your content.

[@ParkersReef]

You’re looking for Sanking flow colour plumbing. That’ll fit your cade. Where about dare you, I’ll direct you to a local seller :)

[@Chris-mi1uu]

@@ParkersReef Perth WA mate appreciate it

[@ParkersReef]

@@Chris-mi1uu hmmm ok, not sure who carries it over there... You can order what you need from here and get it posted over west though: newlifekeys.com.au

[@Biffs515]

Awesome video how you finding them now as I have heard bad reviews on them just being a problem

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah still going great. What bad stuff have you heard? I think the build is a little wobbly, but it works great

[@dxfgful]

Thanks for the review. I think it would be interesting to see if moving the roller so that the water level mark is actually close to the water level changes its performance. It looks like the "legs" can be removed, so i wonder if the distance from current water level to water level indicator is the same as the feet? Potentially its sitting high and the float sensor isnt activating much, so its not using much fleece?

[@ParkersReef]

yeah potentially, but the roll isn't massively dirty either, so I think it is operating as much as needed. All water is passing through the fleece, so it's working :D

[@murfwithjess]

Hey Sam… loving the content, as always… and like other people have said the water level is for the height the until sits in the water… it has got to do with head pressure… the deep you submerge the until into the water the more water goes through it raising the level in side the until making the filter spin/ turn more frequently, and if you have it where you have it, it rarely spins/turns at all…

[@ParkersReef]

I’m curious about this. All of the water still has to pass through the Matt though?

[@ParkersReef]

I assumed so, didn’t make sense that it had to be that level - but does make sense that it should not be above that level

[@mxgaming4051]

Do you think it would fit in the filter sock area if you removed the sock holders and if so, is there a reason you didn't do this?

[@ParkersReef]

I think it would go close, I didn't want to modify my sump (yet) and I had heaps of space in the skimmer chamber to use

[@mxgaming4051]

@@ParkersReef thanks Sam. I've got a 1200 reef in white on the way. I might just go the redsea for now

[@andymingni]

did you use the two thumb screw to secure the bracket? I just got the unit, and I'm thinking about not using them.

[@ParkersReef]

I did yes

[@RogueAquariums]

Great review on the reef factory filter roller Sam. It fits well on your Cade system. You’re right, that would be a game changer regarding a smart water diverted regarding nitrates or phosphates. 👌

[@ParkersReef]

Hopefully something they can introduce down the line. Till then, it’s a great filter roller!

[@RogueAquariums]

@@ParkersReef Glad to see its working out for you. Time to stock it up. 😊

[@rynohart7214]

How is the roller going?

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah great! Still working a treat

[@Andy.H1]

Am I missing something about filter rollers in general or do you have the dirty filter roll with all the fish waste in it just decomposing for a year ?

[@ParkersReef]

You can empty it sooner if it smells :)

[@Itz2Salty]

Great vid. Are they available in the states.

[@ParkersReef]

they are, if not yet - very soon!

[@wmoID]

BRS sells them

[@wmoID]

What if you turn off the return pump. Does it roll nonstop or it have max timer

[@ParkersReef]

It has a max timer :)

[@erich8756]

Thanks for yet another informative review. I think the actions based on the tester outcome would be as simple als just slowing down or speeding up of rolling the filter. Slow down, more nutrient breakdown. Speed up, more immediate removal of waste.

[@ParkersReef]

Should work!

[@keepingfishundermybed]

is it loud? also by the way great vidio

[@ParkersReef]

You can hear when it turns, but it’s only for a couple seconds every few hours

[@chrisboswell9444]

It would be good to know the sizes they are coming out with & pricing & see some sort of alert message to say your reef roller has jammed, due to crap coming out of your overflow & better design of the media basket , As mention it only goes 1 way, which is hard, Love to see some more videos on their products after 3 months, Like salinty meter, As i alway have to calibrate the device to make sure it in line with the refractor meter

[@ParkersReef]

I haven't had to do much with any other of their products that would be enough content to make a video. So far their either very good, or I've been exceptionally lucky!

[@jake7E6]

I was thinking about getting this until I heard it has been designed to not reduce nitrates/phosphates. Do you know if this actually the case, and if it is, how/why they've done that?!

[@ParkersReef]

I don’t think that’s the case… I have heard that it is designed to not bottom them out, but I don’t profess to know how that’s possible

[@jake7E6]

@@ParkersReef OK, that makes more sense. Thanks

[@coreywildbore7716]

Good morning Sam fantastic video as always. Maybe an idea for the next video is to test the phosphates and nitrates while using the Reefmat. One of their claims is due to the unique woven filter material it does not adjust nutrient levels. Would be very interesting to know.

[@ParkersReef]

yeah will see what I can do, is a difficult one to test in my instance in the frag tank though.... I'll have a think :)

[@antoniofaustino2548]

I set up my red sea a couple months ago , the role is 35m so far used 12m so I think will last 5 to 6 months, just the fact of not clearing filter sockes 3 times a week pay it off. I think you are on to same great idea. Thanks Sam!

[@ParkersReef]

I’m curious on your background? I see your just registered in KZbin recently?

[@ParkersReef]

@@DoYouEvenFishTank due diligence 😅

[@ParkersReef]

@@DoYouEvenFishTank I like to see if you have any experience to backup your strong opinions

[@subhra_s_das]

Great one. I would really love to see a filter roller brand selling its roll on a subscription basis. That will give a peace of mind in terms of availability and I’m sure would be better on wallet too.

[@ParkersReef]

Great idea!

[@kiddt1999]

Does anyone have a filter roller on a standard waterbox sump? If so, were modifications hard??

[@ParkersReef]

Can't say I do sorry, but I wouldn't see it being too much of a challenge?

[@anthonykemp4106]

My guess about the water level mark is that it is above the bypass gate so if the gate is open it is silent

[@ParkersReef]

is a possible theory

[@JUICYRUSEY]

The water level mark would be the maximum water level height in your sump so the water level in your sump should never be above that line on the filter roller as the water could then soak up the roll. So I’d say you could lower it down with the legs to get the water lever closer to the line if that’s were your water level normally sits in your sump.

[@ParkersReef]

interesting, I have had another comment saying that it is the required water height for optimal operation. Which one.....

[@JUICYRUSEY]

@@ParkersReef best bet would be to contact the manufacturer as each manufacturer is different, I believe my Clarissa filter rollers instructions said it should be a maximum of 8 inches deep for best performance. I’d give them a email or something and ask about it.

[@DonoteraseOG]

BTW, did you ever reach out to reef factory about the water level indicator?

[@tinaknecht3788]

I love my fleece roller. Works great. On a side note when I started it I went threw a lot. So I decided to try washing a roll in my wife washing machine ,added a little bit of bleach. And I ended up washing it twice. Made sure it did not smell like bleach and rerolled it put it on and works like new. Now I do notice after the 11 wash it does take longer to roll. So replaced that roll

[@ParkersReef]

Wow nicely done!

[@sunnygoold9449]

The ability to choose how much water goes through the filter roller - the biggest reason I don't want to get a filter roller - because I thought my water was already too clean... There is a solution actually - you run your roller off a controllable return pump. If you have an auto tester that does nitrates or phosphates and you can control that pump - or you could simply set that return pump to run at certain times of the day at certain flow rates. If I was going to buy a roller that is how I would do it. This week I did an ICP Test and there were some crazy readings including Total Phosphate at 0.56! (I have been testing consistently under 0.05). Some things I was expecting but not this - it's possible as I haven't tested it in a month. Anyhow back to this roller - a roller that goes through so little! Well that is incredible assuming it is substantially better than all the rest. I heard the Smart Reefs one has a fleece you can wash and reuse - I would maybe choose that as I expect I would want the scrubber that goes with it - but this one... well it certainly exceeded my expectations when I sat down to watch it.

[@ParkersReef]

yeah that would work well actually..... Good thinking!

[@sunnygoold9449]

@@DoYouEvenFishTank Sounds like a big hassle to me ;) I'm happy with detritus in my sump - I wish I could be Jake Adams with a perfectly clean sump. Probably I'm overthinking it and you are right though - if I have high nutrients I think the easiest solution is a filter roller

[@bobbyknox9258]

Excellent vid Sam 👍

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks Bobby!

[@Combatants1]

Man a digital “valve” that allowed you to tune a down pipe in a bean animal style would be so freaking helpful

[@ParkersReef]

Next level 😬😎

[@Shairon97]

Hello! I'm asking for some help, If someone nice have the time I'll aprecciate it a lot ! =) I work at an aquarium store, and the other day we set up the roller, the manual instalation worked fine, but at the tine of connecting the device to the smart reef app, we habe it connected to the app, and it shows the same screen as in the video, with settings and all, but the roller doesnt start, so it cant do its function. Does anyone have had the same problem and if so, knows how to start the device ? Everything is connected, so i dont know what could be wrong

[@ParkersReef]

Did you get the chance to add it to an aquarium? I’d also recommend restarting your router and trying again

[@Shairon97]

@@ParkersReef Yes, It was in an aquarium when we set up everything ! The only problem is it didnt start, so I was wondering if there was a "start" option after its connected to the reeffactory app that i didnt knew. Thanks a lot for the help :)

[@ParkersReef]

there are a few settings that can be tricky. The one that gets most people is the delay start setting. It wont roll as soon as the float switch is raised, it will wait a set number of minutes first (to stop bubbles or waves setting off the roll)

[@noahmccallum5289]

Got a Red Sea setup a few days ago. I’m using an average of 80 over the past 4 days 😅🤣

[@ParkersReef]

Oh snap!!

[@Syed5y]

It should come with a flexi hose like the redsea reef mat rather than having to install hard plumbing

[@ParkersReef]

That’s a good call, it would make installation easier

[@Syed5y]

@@ParkersReef it might also give flexibility to get the media tray out ....brilliant review as per usual

[@Omsk-Sea]

Спасибо за хороший обзор 👍

[@ParkersReef]

Thank you!

[@fishy1011]

Yeah still can’t beat red seas reef mat that’s for sure

[@ParkersReef]

they do make a good unit, but doesn't suit all installs

[@Anton-42]

You need a job at reef factory!

[@ParkersReef]

Haha be a long commute to work!!

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

Still like hamalie more.

[@ParkersReef]

Hmahli certainly make a quality bit of gear, it is priced beyond this unit though

[@iant419]

These things are silly. Any filter you can't pressurize will have terrible efficiency. I just use an external 50 micron 20×2.5" sediment filter.

[@ParkersReef]

Interesting, not many mechanical filtrations in home reef aquariums are pressurised - but they certainly are in the commercial world. That being said, I did find (much like filter socks) this did filter the water nicely?