Challenges setting up reef mat for Red Sea tank

[jenj6225]

Anyone with Red Sea reefer max 300 and Red Sea equipment and can share a pic of their sump?

Hi! First time poster and new to the group!

I have a Red Sea reefer max 300 g3 that’s been up and running for 4 months and I’m just now setting up the reefer mat 500. It’s functional now but I’m trying to figure out the best configuration in the sump to fit the reef mat and protein skimmer.

In my sump, the first chamber (front left) is the reef mat and I’ve removed the baffle in the front half of the sump where the drain pipes are. I’m trying to fit the skimmer in the second chamber (front right but really same large chamber that the reef mat is in). In the third chamber I have my heater, bio balls, rubble rock etc (back right and has baffles separating it on all sides. My return pump is in the last chamber (back left).

As you can see from the pics, when I try to fit both in the front half of the sump the skimmer is not flat and access to both pieces of equipment would be hindered. The skimmer does not fit if I turn it either. Only thing I can think of at this point is removing (or partially raising) the battle between the front right and back right chambers but then the only sectioned chamber would be the return pump and wasn’t sure if the bioball section promoting pods is better left separated.

Appreciate any help!

REEFER MAX 300 G3 Aquarium

REEFER DC 300 Protein Skimmer
ReefMat 500 Automatic Filter Roller

 

[MadReefer]

I recently picked up an older Red Sea and it seems like to much work to get the roller matt in place. I am sticking with floss and cups for now. Eventually will be selling my roller matt. To worried about leaks if pulling out baffle or as you stated blocked equipment. They have a good idea but need a better design.

 

[jenj6225]

From what I’ve read along the way of setting up my tank, the newer generation (3) is better than the older ones as far as compatibility. I didn’t have to do as many modifications as the older models would need but the space and design of the equipment is definitely a challenge. I’ve reached out to Red Sea but won’t hear back til Monday. I might forgo the separate section for the bioballs and remove another baffle to make it work. Just asking around different groups to see if there’s any better solution before I do.

 

[DEL]

I have the 1200 and I have a baffle separating reefmat output and skimmer. You shouldn't have the reefmat and skimmer in the same section, because one may be canceling the other. If it fits in section where bioballs are, you can always put the bio balls in the same area as the reefmat, since it just needs a small space to accumulate bacteria. Let me know if it works.