Red Sea ReefMat 1200
Suits tanks
Up to 1200 L
Flow rate
9000 L/h
Water type
Marine + Reef
Red Sea ReefMat 1200
Never rinse a filter sock again — this one advances its own fleece. The Red Sea ReefMat 1200 is an automatic roller filter for aquarium systems up to 1,200 L. Water passes through a continuously advancing strip of fine polyester fleece, and the unit's smart drive feeds fresh fleece from the roll as the loaded section clogs, so mechanical filtration keeps working without you rinsing a sock. It's built for a marine or reef system already running enough flow to make use of it, and connects to the Red Sea ReefBeat app for monitoring and fleece-change alerts.
Key features
- Self-advancing fleece roll — solid-state water level sensors trigger the next section of fleece automatically, so mechanical filtration doesn't stall between visits.
- 35 m fleece roll included — a single roll runs for weeks before it needs replacing, and spare rolls are stocked separately.
- ReefBeat app monitoring — get an alert when the roll is running low, without checking the cabinet.
- Wall or floor mounting — ships with mounting legs and can also be wall-mounted where sump space is tight.
- 700 mL media basket — built into the unit body, so it doesn't add a second footprint to the sump.
- Corrugated inlet hose included — kink-resistant 25 mm (1") hose with a USA/metric PVC connector, ready to plumb to your overflow or drain line.
Specifications
| Recommended system size | Up to 1,200 L (315 US gal) |
|---|---|
| Maximum flow capacity | 9,000 L/h (2,380 GPH) |
| Unit dimensions (W x D x H) | 27 x 30 x 48 cm |
| Fleece width | 17 cm |
| Fleece roll length | 35 m |
| Media basket capacity | 700 mL |
| Inlet hose | 25 mm (1") corrugated, USA/metric PVC connector |
| Water level sensing | Solid-state internal and external sensors, no moving parts |
| Salinity detection | Conductivity-based — saltwater only |
| Control | Red Sea ReefBeat app (Wi-Fi); runs on its last setting without a network connection |
| SKU | AA2308 |
Red Sea has not published the ReefMat 1200's power draw, operating voltage or unit weight — if any of these is a deciding factor for your install, ask us to check with Red Sea before you order.
Which ReefMat do I need?
| Model | Recommended system size | Max flow | Fleece width | Fleece roll length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReefMat 250 | Up to 250 L | 3,500 L/h | 8 cm | 32 m |
| ReefMat 500 | Up to 500 L | 6,000 L/h | 11.3 cm | 28 m |
| ReefMat 1200 (this page) | Up to 1,200 L | 9,000 L/h | 17 cm | 35 m |
Size to your system volume, not your display volume alone — a sump adds to the total the ReefMat is filtering.
Performance
9,000 L/h is Red Sea's maximum flow figure for the ReefMat 1200. The unit's inlet is a fixed 25 mm (1") corrugated hose, so on a very high-flow drain line it's that hose diameter — not the pump feeding it — that ultimately limits how much water reaches the fleece. Red Sea has not published a flow-with-media-loaded or turnover derating curve for the ReefMat range, so treat the headline figure as a best case rather than a guaranteed sustained rate. If your overflow runs well above typical reef drain rates, ask us to check sizing before you order.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suited to marine and reef systems up to 1,200 L that want sock-free mechanical filtration and are already running the flow to justify it. Not suitable for freshwater aquariums — the level sensor detects water by conductivity, which is calibrated around saltwater and is not intended for fresh water. Not a substitute for biological or chemical filtration; it handles the mechanical stage only.
What's included
- ReefMat 1200 filter unit with integrated smart drive and 700 mL media basket
- One 35 m fleece roll, fitted and ready to run
- Corrugated inlet hose with USA/metric PVC connector
- Mounting legs and hardware (wall-mountable)
- Power supply
Care and maintenance
Routine maintenance is a fleece roll change once the current roll runs out — Red Sea doesn't publish a fixed interval, since it depends on bioload and how much detritus the system is throwing at it. Keep a spare roll on hand so the unit is never caught mid-clog. Wipe the internal sensors periodically; a coated sensor can misread water level and trigger unnecessary fleece advances.
Safety
Run the included power supply through an RCD-protected circuit, and keep a drip loop on the cable before it reaches the power point. Check the inlet hose connection after any plumbing disturbance — a loose fitting at this flow will find the cabinet floor quickly.
Goes well with
- Genuine inlet hose (R35469) — the exact-fit replacement if the supplied hose kinks or degrades.
- Genuine hose connector kit (R35470) — spare coupling fittings and seals for the inlet connection.
- Gear motor (R35473) — the direct-fit repair part if fleece advancement stalls.
- Spare fleece rolls — keep at least one in reserve so a change never runs late.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by Red Sea's manufacturer warranty, which applies in addition to your consumer guarantee rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard parcel delivery.
Common questions
Will the ReefMat 1200 work on a freshwater tank?
No. Its water-level sensor detects water by conductivity, which is set up for saltwater and isn't intended for freshwater use.
How often do I need to change the fleece roll?
Red Sea doesn't publish a fixed interval — it depends on your system's bioload and detritus load. Keep a spare roll on hand and check it periodically until you know your system's rate.
Can it run without Wi-Fi?
Yes. It keeps running on its last setting without a network connection; you lose the app alerts for low fleece and sensor status, not the filtration itself.
What size system is the ReefMat 1200 rated for?
Up to 1,200 L. For smaller systems, the ReefMat 500 (up to 500 L) or ReefMat 250 (up to 250 L) are sized more appropriately — an oversized unit doesn't filter better, it just costs more.
Does it replace biological filtration?
No. The ReefMat handles mechanical filtration only — trapping detritus before it breaks down in the system. Biological filtration (live rock, sand bed or a separate biomedia) still does the rest.
