Matrix

[snowmansnow]

tell me about seachem matrix.

should I be using it as part of my biological filtration?

anyone with experience ?

Thanks,
B

 

[ripped tide]

I highly advocate using it.

Check out the seachem web page. I have a thread started about it, I think back in December or November of last year. Still using it, and it rocks!

 

[nholderried65]

good stuff!

 

[snowmansnow]

Ripped Tide;803166 wrote: I highly advocate using it.

Check out the seachem web page. I have a thread started about it, I think back in December or November of last year. Still using it, and it rocks!

haha you're punny "it rocks"
see what you did there?

Edit: so basically just a flow through in my sump?

 

[ripped tide]

I'm glad you caught that.

I use mine as a substrate.... I'll dig up the thread in the morning... Food is about to get here.

 

[acroholic]

I have 20 liters of it in the bio chamber of my MRC sump. "Supposed" to get rid of nitrates, as well as serve as a LR substitute regarding aerobic filtration for those wanting to do minimalist type aquascapes.

I have been testing for nitrate every week or so and have not seen any yet. Seems to be working. I can't say whether it works long term, as it has only been in use for about 1.5 months so far.

I think you will get the most benefit out of forced through flow, either in the water path through the sump or in a reactor or canister filter. All the water that enters my sump has to go through the Matrix.

 

[ripped tide]

I agree about the forced flow...


For the record, I have undetectable nitrates. The matrix bed is coming up on one year.

 

[acroholic]

Ripped Tide;803175 wrote: I agree about the forced flow...


For the record, I have undetectable nitrates. The matrix bed is coming up on one year.

I hope that is the same for me.

 

[clay4au]

I use it instead of rubble in my sump and HOB

 

[grouper therapy]

Are you guys using the pond matrix?

 

[clay4au]

grouper therapy;803190 wrote: Are you guys using the pond matrix?

I'm only using the regular right now but have some pond matrix on order

 

[heathlindner25]

BigChiquita;803192 wrote: Great stuff used it for my 150 gallon start up

didn't you just start that tank up, what positive effects have you noticed already?

 

[jennm]

We use it all over the place. Great stuff.

The only difference with the pond version is the larger particle size. They also make De*Nitrate which is the same material, smaller particle size.

One liter of Matrix replaces 10 gallons of traditional bio-ball media, and it's porous so it promotes anaerobic/anoxic bacteria as well, bio-balls can't do that.

We love this stuff.

Jenn

 

[cj22009]

I use pond matrix same stuff as others said it is good stuff. Add some stability with it when starting a new tank you will be amazed how fast it will cycle.

 

[snowmansnow]

JennM;803199 wrote: We use it all over the place. Great stuff.

The only difference with the pond version is the larger particle size. They also make De*Nitrate which is the same material, smaller particle size.

One liter of Matrix replaces 10 gallons of traditional bio-ball media, and it's porous so it promotes anaerobic/anoxic bacteria as well, bio-balls can't do that.

We love this stuff.

Jenn

Jen, is this basically the same stuff as Brightwell's NeoZeo, or is there significant differences?

 

[snowmansnow]

eh.. the zeo is similar to the zeovit system... not something I wanna get wrapped up in again.

Looks like I'll be going with a dedicated reactor with matrix and dose a bacteria from the beginning this time instead of trying to add it to an established tank

 

[seth the wine guy]

I use it but would suggest going with the smaller size stuff as opposed to the pond matrix. (Unless you can put it in a reactor with massive flow.) The smaller particle size obviously provides more surface area and you can get away with it being in lower flow areas. (Non-reactor)

 

[ralph atl]

hummmm.......I might have to check this stuff out.

 

[ralph atl]

just thinking of a space save idea, could I use something like this?

 

[acroholic]

mysterybox;803245 wrote: just thinking of a space save idea, could I use something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-PC0250HSB-H-O-T-Magnum-55-Gallon/dp/B000260FVQ/ref=sr_1_424?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1349540093&sr=1-424&keywords=canister+filters+for+aquarium">Amazon.com: Marineland PC0250HSB H.O.T. Magnum 250, up to 55-Gallon, 250GPH: Pet Supplies</a>[/QUOTE]

Seachem recommends using Matrix in a canister filter, so a HOT Magnum would be a good application. But, I think there is only about a two cup capacity in the media container, so I'd make sure you only need that much before you buy one. Otherwise, you might consider a media reactor instead.