seachem matrix bio best ?

[driftwoodhunter]

That's interesting that you would say that about my tanks - I never have been able to figure out how to judge bioloads. But I have so-so filtration on my 125 (never have been able to figure out how the Mattenfilter rates. My HOB is only rated for an 80g tank, I think. I have 98 actual gallons) and very light planting so far, so the Matrix will help in the meantime while I slowly beef up the plant ratio. I won't bother with more details as I don't want to derail the thread...

[driftwoodhunter]

Originally Posted by youdontknowme

if you have high bioloads and have the cash to spend on biomedias , go for matrix and you wont be wrong

I was lucky to get a 4L tub on Black Friday at 60% off and free shipping. Since I'd heard so much about Matrix, I wanted to try it. Now that I know it's only pumice stone, I'm going to be on the hunt for that at the home improvement/pond/farm stores...

[exv152]

Matrix is the best de-nitrifying bio media. If you have high NO3 it's probably a good idea, but so are water changes. Whatever gets your planted tank NO3 spec to around 20ppm is good; be it substratpro, lava rock, micromec etc.

[Jnad]

I have used Matrix in a canister filter as the only filtering media in a reef tank over a longer period with succsess, this tank did not have a proteinskimmer either. The Matrix did the filtering all alone, i did not have any nitrate in this tank when Matrix was used. If i wanted the best possible filter media, i would go for Matrix once again.

Jnad

[hbosman]

What I wonder about is, pumice or Matrix has small pores. After awhile, it appears to me that the pores are all covered with bio film. Doesn't that nullify the effectiveness of the pores? I could imagine that Matrix is effective when new and clean. But, what about 3 months from now? In three months, wouldn't sponges, lava rock, plastic hair curlers be just as effective?

[exv152]

Originally Posted by hbosman

What I wonder about is, pumice or Matrix has small pores. After awhile, it appears to me that the pores are all covered with bio film. Doesn't that nullify the effectiveness of the pores? I could imagine that Matrix is effective when new and clean. But, what about 3 months from now? In three months, wouldn't sponges, lava rock, plastic hair curlers be just as effective?

Seachem claims it does not need to be replaced because the pores are naturally too small for organics to clog, but large enough to be washed to have the old bacteria remains removed. I think it can be rinsed and boiled (several times) to be rendered reusable. I would just avoid the use of any products because of the highly porous nature of pumice stone.

[hbosman]

Originally Posted by exv152

Seachem claims it does not need to be replaced because the pores are naturally too small for organics to clog, but large enough to be washed to have the old bacteria remains removed. I think it can be rinsed and boiled (several times) to be rendered reusable. I would just avoid the use of any products because of the highly porous nature of pumice stone.

I wonder on its cost effectiveness, I'm guessing it won't be better than anything else in a few months. If pumice is cheap enough though, you could simply toss and replace like filter floss.

[exv152]

Originally Posted by hbosman

I wonder on its cost effectiveness, I'm guessing it won't be better than anything else in a few months. If pumice is cheap enough though, you could simply toss and replace like filter floss.

If washed thoroughly I doubt all the internal suface areas will be blocked. Making it still better than say plastic bio-media which is limited to surface area only. Costwise, if you can reuse the stuff again and again, it's a great buy. For those living near volcano active regions you can pickup pumice stone for free. Can't beat that for cost effectiveness

[hbosman]

Originally Posted by exv152

If washed thoroughly I doubt all the internal suface areas will be blocked. Making it still better than say plastic bio-media which is limited to surface area only. Costwise, if you can reuse the stuff again and again, it's a great buy. For those living near volcano active regions you can pickup pumice stone for free. Can't beat that for cost effectiveness

I'll have to see how much pumice costs at Lowes and Home Depot, no volcanoes in Northern Virginia.
I want the option of tossing it if it looks to dirty.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by exv152

Matrix is the best de-nitrifying bio media. If you have high NO3 it's probably a good idea, but so are water changes. Whatever gets your planted tank NO3 spec to around 20ppm is good; be it substratpro, lava rock, micromec etc.

I just want to make sure that you meant denitrification in your post.

How is this media achieving localized anaerobic spots within a filter with so much water movement?

[driftwoodhunter]

Originally Posted by exv152

Seachem claims it does not need to be replaced because the pores are naturally too small for organics to clog, but large enough to be washed to have the old bacteria remains removed. I think it can be rinsed and boiled (several times) to be rendered reusable. I would just avoid the use of any products because of the highly porous nature of pumice stone.

Would you have to boil it? I thought you would just rinse it in tank water (like I would my Mattenfilter) to get rid of any detritus build up?

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

Now that I know it's only pumice stone, I'm going to be on the hunt for that at the home improvement/pond/farm stores...

Matrix is a man made expanded media and not pumice.

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

How is this media achieving localized anaerobic spots within a filter with so much water movement?

It doesn't

sent from an undisclosed location using morse code

[youdontknowme]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

Would you have to boil it? I thought you would just rinse it in tank water (like I would my Mattenfilter) to get rid of any detritus build up?

You dont have to boil it . Just rinse the matrix thoroughly in tank water and it will be as good as new and the effectiveness wouldn't decrease. Also, seachem have claimed it does not need replacement at all, since its natural stone, it will not breakdown like other biedia example " biohome " or ceramic rings or substray pro, getting smaller and smaller . Personally, i find that seachem makes great stuff like purigen, prime, excel, fluorish and so on..

[youdontknowme]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

I just want to make sure that you meant denitrification in your post.

How is this media achieving localized anaerobic spots within a filter with so much water movement?

You have to have low flow rate to grow anaeroboc

[youdontknowme]

[QUOTE=lipadj46;2420242]Matrix is a man made expanded media and not pumice.

Its natural stone not man made. http://www.seachem.com/support/forum...ead.php?t=3879