seachem matrix bio best ?
 

just came across their website and saw them stated

" BET surface area measurements indicate that Matrix™ contains nearly 10 times the specific surface area of Substrat Pro, and more than 20 times the specific surface area of MicroMec. "

and

"Matrix contains between 4 to 4.5 times the biologically active surface area of Substrat Pro, and between 8 to 9 times the biologically active surface area of MicroMec."

does that mean matrix have more bio surface area than substrat pro and micromec ?

That is what they're saying.

i was given a can of it and use it in my FX5. that stuff is NOT cheap.

I also use lava rock in the same filter. That has a TON of surface area. I like using it.

If the Martix wasnt given to me i would have NEVR paid for it.

Matrix isn't that bad. I bought a big container of it from Kensfish for not to bad of a price. The only thing I don't like about Matrix is they are large, they are like rocks. Works fine for cannister filters but stuffing my aquaclear with it isn't as easy.

agreed that they are like rocks . sandy too !

matrix is cheaper than substrat pro :D

Matrix is great, and being its inert you can use it practically forever, with that said $25- for 4 liters is cheap in my opinion. The biological function of a filter, and tank is #1 it's worth investing in :)

They also make denitrate which is much smaller and functions mostly the same, it supposedly helps reduce nitrates but only if it's used in a low flow application (under 50gph iirc). Much easier to jam into a HOB filter.

I love my Matrix, I don't have any way to prove that it works better than any other bio media but it works well enough. Plus it doesn't seem to stain like some other bio media does which makes it easier to tell when it's actually needing a rinse.

Matrix is just pumice stone. Get some bulk pumice and your laughing if you want Matrix without the price tag.

I had no idea!

huh, I haven't seen it in person yet, but the pics I pulled up on google image do look a lot like pumice...

You can get a bag for a couple dollars in garden centers and such. Not real sure what they use it for (maybe similar to perlite and such).

Well, isn't it interesting - lol. I also Googled "bulk pumice stone", and sure enough it looks just like Matrix. So then I Googled "Matrix pumice" and found another forum conversation where the same thing was said. That certainly explains the dust! Plus they both float - another giveaway.

So I have 2 questions; (sorry for the thread hijack!) Plain old pumice from a garden center should be aquarium safe if there are no additives listed on the bag, right? Also, since it's pores will harbor nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, why can't it be used in the substrate? Like placing a layer under MGOCPM, or Black Diamond? If whatever is over the pumice is a thick enough layer, the pumice still wouldn't show after all the smaller particles of the other material fell though the gaps. Or would that be so deep anaerobic problems could start? Just a thought for increasing nitrifying and denitrifying surface area, I don't see why it has to be in a filter to work...(my apologies again, OP, for the derailment)

anaerobic problems. It needs a richer source of oxygen which it's not going to get inside the tank or in the substrate. Yeah matrix is pumice stone. Old volcanic rock.

for UNDER $3, at your local home improvement supplier, you can get a 25# bag of small lava rock. Just rinse and use. And you will have enough there for 10 FX5s:hihi:

Thanks - I'll stick to putting it behind my Mattenfilters.

Any opinions on what is better - pumice stone or lava rock? I would think the lava rock, having larger "pores", would collect mulm & detritus more easily. But lava rock leaches iron (desirable to me) into the water as I understand it, so I would still use it to tie my anubias and java ferns to (or perhaps it contains iron that the roots can access - I can't remember).

So I will put pumice stone in the filters, and lava rock attached to water column feeding plants. Sounds good?