MATRIX™ 500ml Seachem

Matrix™ 500ml SEACHEM

- High capacity biofiltration
- Controls ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
- Highly porous - enormous surface area (> ~ 700 m2/L)
- Supports aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species

Overview

Matrix™ is a high-porosity biological media that provides efficient biofiltration for the removal of nitrogenous waste. Matrix™ is a porous inorganic solid about 10 mm in diameter. Each liter of Matrix™ provides as much surface area (> ~ 700 m2) as 170 liters of plastic balls! Plastic biomaterials only provide external surface area, whereas Matrix™ provides both external and internal macroporous surface area. These macropores are ideally sized for supporting nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. This allows Matrix™, unlike other forms of biomedia, to remove nitrate along with ammonia and nitrite, simultaneously and in the same filter.

Matrix™ is completely inert and does not break down. It does not need to be replaced. Since most of the bacteria are internal, Matrix™ can be rinsed as needed without damaging the filter. Matrix™ is compatible with all types of wet or wet-dry filters.

Sizes: 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 L, 2 L, 4 L

Instructions

Use 250 ml of Matrix™ for every 200 L (50 US gallons) ** of water. Matrix™ can be placed in any type of filter and is particularly effective in a canister filter.

Matrix™ is large enough that no filter bag is needed for most applications.

Matrix™ works well in drip tray systems, but you may find that the larger Pond Matrix™ is better suited for such applications. Use with Stability® to more quickly establish the biofilter.

** This dosage may differ from your packaging. Based on updated studies, we have found that Matrix™ treats even more water than previously claimed.

FAQ

I saw on the Internet that Matrix™ is just pumice. Is this true?

We certainly understand why people look at Matrix™ and compare it to pumice; they are both porous rocks. But remember, not all porous rocks are the same. Matrix™ is a specific type chosen for its extremely high porosity, pore size, durability, and inert nature. When you buy Matrix™, you know what you are getting. It has been lab-tested and used in thousands of hobbyist aquariums for over a decade with excellent results. You are not just buying the physical material when you buy a container of Matrix; you are buying the research that provided and tested this specific type of rock, and the assurance that it can be safely used in your aquarium.

I'm using Matrix™, but my nitrates aren't going down; they've been at the same level for a while now. What's wrong?

There is nothing wrong. The product is working as it should. Nitrate removal essentially comes down to one parameter: the rate. The rate at which your tank produces nitrates and the rate at which it can remove them. If you fill a bathtub with the faucet wide open and try to prevent it from overflowing by emptying it with a straw, it won't be long before it overflows. However, if you empty it at the same rate it fills, the level will always remain the same. Or, if it is almost full and you drain it faster than it fills, the level will go down. The same goes for nitrate removal. To lower nitrates, you need to equip your tank with the capacity to remove them at a rate equal to or greater than the rate they are formed. So, if your nitrates are holding steady and you want them to go down, add de❊nitrate in addition to Matrix™ (de❊nitrate will more effectively remove nitrates per volume of product assuming a flow rate not exceeding ~ 50 gallons/hour). If you need to use a higher flow rate, opt for Matrix™ or try Pond Matrix™, both of which support anaerobic denitrification at higher flow rates.

How often should I rinse or replace Matrix™?

Matrix™ is a biomedia, which means it doesn't wear out over time, so you should never need to replace it. That said, Matrix™ media can become clogged with debris and sludge, so we recommend regular filter maintenance to ensure it continues to function as efficiently as possible. The frequency at which a canister filter should be opened and cleaned varies from tank to tank, but a good starting point is once a month.

Where should I place Matrix™ in my filter?

We recommend that the water flows through the filter media in this order:
1. Mechanical filtration (filter floss, sponges, etc.)
2. Chemical filtration (MatrixCarbon, PhosGuard, Purigen, etc.)
3. Biological filtration (Matrix)
Each filter is different, so the exact placement of Matrix™ will vary from brand to brand. Consult your filter's instruction manual to find the flow direction of your filter.

If I use Matrix™, do I also need to use de❊nitrate?

That depends on a number of things. If Matrix™ is doing the job for you (i.e., keeping nitrite/nitrate under control), then no. If you are using a flow rate above 50 gallons/hour, you won't be able to use de❊nitrate anyway, as it requires a slower flow rate to support denitrifying bacteria. If filter size and capacity are an issue, de❊nitrate will provide more efficient nitrate removal per volume of product (i.e., you can use less de❊nitrate in volume than Matrix™ to achieve the same denitrification capacity). Additionally, de❊nitrate has the capability to remove nitrates via chemical absorption upon initial use of the product, although if nitrate levels are very high (above 20 mg/L), we recommend a water change as the most economical approach to bring your nitrate level down before deploying these products.

How long does it take for Matrix™ to develop the anaerobic bacteria necessary to eliminate nitrate?

It all depends on the biological establishment stage of your tank, the placement of Matrix™, and the flow rate. In general, you will start to see improvements within a few weeks, but each situation varies.

If I buy a small hang-on-back filter and fill it only with Matrix™, will it be effective? What is the best type of filter to install Matrix™?

It will work but not as well; a canister filter is recommended.

Will using Matrix™ affect the pH of the water?

No, it is an inert media that will not have a direct impact on your pH.

Is it theoretically possible to achieve near-zero nitrate levels using Matrix™?

If you have a fish load, it would be extremely difficult to bring your nitrates to zero (fish food, waste introduced daily). However, it will help maintain your nitrates at lower levels.

I received my container of Matrix™ and some pieces seem darker or lighter than others. Is this normal?

Don't worry! Matrix™ has natural variations in color and piece size, ranging from very light to quite dark. It is normal to see color differences from one piece of Matrix™ to the next.