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Review on 🐠 Seachem Matrix Bio Media 250ml: Optimize Aquarium Filtration with Top-Performing Media by Jaxon Prince

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Pumice Biofiltration Base

Seachem is a trusted brand. After many years of having an open (biofiltered) carp pond in California, we had to switch to indoor aquariums in New England. However, I've never given much thought to the filtration systems that come with today's starter tanks. After having an aquarium in my daughter's room for many years (where we regularly monitored the properties of the water), we began making efforts to keep some of the fish alive. I decided to take a closer look at the chemistry of our water and found that we were once again struggling with ammonia and nitrates. That's when we decided to abandon the simple carbon filters that match our particular filter, where we always seem to throw away the installed biofilter. I decided to try a filter pad with Purigen and Matrix and create a biofilter that I won't throw away every time I change pads. Matrix stones have a pumice base which provides maximum coverage of the surface area for biofilter bacteria to gain a foothold. I "borrowed" one of my wife's old nylon stockings to make a flexible bag of matrix stones that can easily be added to a new filter setup. My only complaint is the powdery dust that coats all the stones when you first open them. Even after thorough rinsing, the reservoir became slightly cloudy when the stones were placed. This turbidity disappeared within 12 hours. And since using the Purigen/Matrix combo, the two reservoirs have never been more stable and clear!

Pros
  • Great Construction
Cons
  • Replacement Availability