Red Sea ReefMat 500 — Automatic ReefBeat Fleece Roller Filter for Reef Aquariums up to 130 gal

The Red Sea ReefMat 500 is a smart automatic fleece roller filter for reef aquariums up to 500 liters (130 US gal). It replaces filter socks with fleece that advances on its own as it loads up, monitored remotely through Red Sea's ReefBeat app.

Mechanical filtration that stays clean

Its 50 gsm non-woven polyester fleece — high-flow and skimmer friendly — traps debris and suspended particles. Roll changes happen without pulling the filter out of the sump or shutting off the pumps. Solid-state internal and external level sensors, no moving parts. Suitable for seawater aquariums only.

Smart control through ReefBeat

Wi-Fi connected to the ReefBeat ecosystem, the ReefMat 500 notifies you if the fleece gets torn, stuck or runs out — and when an error occurs, the motor stops feeding fleece until it's resolved. The End of Roll Monitor uses your average daily usage to tell you how many days remain; the performance log records hourly and daily dispensing; the advance length is customizable; and roll history keeps stats on every roll you've used.

Official Red Sea specifications

• Recommended for systems up to 500 L (130 US gal)
• Maximum flow capacity: 6000 LPH (1580 US GPH)
• Fleece roll: 28 m (92 ft) long × 11.3 cm (4.4 in) wide
• Unit dimensions: 21 × 27 × 42 cm (8.3 × 10.6 × 16.7 in)
• Kink-resistant corrugated inlet hose (32 mm / 1.25 in ID) with universal metric/USA PVC connector
• Integrated media basket for supplemental chemical filtration
• Hangs on the front wall of the sump, or freestanding with the optional legs
• Drive unit and inlet hose can be positioned on either side
• Seawater aquariums only

Compatibility with Red Sea systems

Per the manufacturer's official chart, the ReefMat 500 is plug & play in REEFER G3, G2+ and G2 systems from 170 to 750, the S-550 and S-700, and the matching Peninsula models from 350 to S-700. On first-generation REEFER (V1/V3) systems, the manufacturer recommends removing the sock holders — the ReefMat Sump Modification Kit is made exactly for that job. To adapt the ReefMat 500 to specific plumbing, the ReefMat 500 Hose Connector Kit is sold separately.

Our advice

The ReefMat line is a genuine game changer. Red Sea didn't invent the roller filter — they improved it that much. What a roller gives you, and what a filter sock never will, is mechanical filtration that is always clean: a dirty sock turns into a biological filter and feeds the nitrogen cycle, while the ReefMat pulls waste out before it breaks down — your system's bioload goes down. Roll changes are dead easy, and ReefBeat warns you when the roll is nearly done. There's real protection built in too: if your sump level rises — say your return pump stops — the unit goes into standby instead of unspooling the whole roll. We run this gear at home ourselves (a NanoMat and a ReefMat 1200), and we stand behind it — we love it.

Roll life: what Red Sea publishes (and what it doesn't)

Red Sea does not publish a fixed lifespan for a roll: it depends on your tank's bioload. If you see a number of weeks quoted elsewhere, it doesn't come from the manufacturer — ReefBeat gives you your real consumption and warns you ahead of time. Keep a 28 m ReefMat 500 replacement roll on hand from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ReefMat 500 fit my Reefer without modification?

In REEFER G3, G2+ and G2 systems from 170 to 750, the S-550/S-700 and the matching Peninsulas: yes, plug & play per Red Sea's official chart. On a V1/V3 Reefer, the manufacturer recommends removing the sock holders with the sump modification kit.

How long does a ReefMat 500 roll last?

Red Sea publishes no fixed duration: it depends on your bioload, feeding and stocking. The ReefBeat app tracks your real consumption and shows the days remaining before the roll runs out.

ReefMat 500 or ReefMat 1200 — which one should I choose?

The 500 covers systems up to 130 US gal with a 1580 GPH maximum flow; the ReefMat 1200 goes up to 315 US gal and 2380 GPH with a 6.7 in fleece. Check the compatibility chart for your Reefer model too — on several sizes, both fit.