Seachem Matrix
Price range: £7.99 through £51.89
Seachem Matrix.
- Description
- Additional information
- Brand
- Store Policies
- Enquiries
Description
Seachem Matrix
Product overview:
Seachem Matrix is a high-porosity inorganic solid designed to provide exceptionally efficient bio-filtration for the removal of nitrogenous waste. Unlike many other filter media, Matrix is specifically engineered to support both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial colonies within a single medium.
Technical Composition
Matrix is a highly porous, stone-like material that is chemically inert. It does not react with water, alter pH, or leach minerals into the aquarium.
-
- Surface Area: It provides a vast internal surface area (measured at approximately 700 m² per litre).
- Pore Structure: The pores are sized specifically to support nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria.
- Durability: Unlike plastic bio-balls or ceramic rings, Matrix does not break down or require replacement over time.
The Nitrogen Cycle and Denitrification
The defining feature of Seachem Matrix is its ability to manage the entire nitrogen cycle within the filter.
-
- Outer Surface (Aerobic): The exterior of the stone is oxygen-rich, hosting Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria which convert ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate.
- Internal Core (Anaerobic): Deep within the internal macropores, oxygen levels are depleted. This creates an environment for denitrifying bacteria, which consume the oxygen atoms from nitrate molecules, converting the waste into harmless nitrogen gas.
Application and Usage
Matrix is versatile and can be utilised in almost any type of filtration system.
-
- Filter Types: It is best suited for canister filters, sump systems, and large “hang-on-back” units.
- Quantity: The recommended dose is 250 ml of Matrix for every 200 litres of aquarium water.
- Placement: For maximum efficiency, place Matrix after your mechanical filtration (sponges or filter wool) to prevent the pores from becoming clogged with debris.
Maintenance and Care
One of the primary benefits of Matrix is its longevity. It is essentially a permanent filter medium.
-
- Rinsing: During routine maintenance, rinse the media in a bucket of dechlorinated aquarium water. This removes “mulm” or sludge without killing the bacterial colony.
- Clogging: If the media becomes heavily soiled with organic waste, its internal pores may become blocked, reducing its denitrification capacity.
- Replacement: There is no need to replace Matrix unless the stones physically wear down after many years of use.
✅ Key Advantage: Because Matrix manages nitrates as well as ammonia, it can significantly reduce the required frequency of water changes in heavily stocked tanks.
Brand
Seachem
General Enquiries
There are no enquiries yet.
