Filter Media

[Kalavek]

I've got some Seachem Matrix here.

"... may be placed in any kind of filter, and is particularly effective in a cannister filter. Matrix is sufficiently large that no filter bag should be required for most applications."

I'm still using TopFin HOB filters. My maintenance regime is every couple weeks (understocked tank); change four or five gallons of water, rinse out clogged filters in removed tank water, replace the carbon in the filters. I have no idea how often the carbon needs to be changed, but I'd rather change it too often than have it go bad.

Is Seachem suggesting that I should skip the filter bags altogether and just toss this stuff into my HOB? Also, does this stuff act as mechanical filtration as well? Does it replace carbon, or should I keep using carbon as well? All I'm sure of is that the recommended use on the product's instructions are rarely correct for "your" tank.

Maybe I should have just looked harder for those ceramic rings.

 

[dogdoc]

In many cases, carbon is unnecessary in a filter unless you are trying to remove a medication. I almost never use it.

Matrix is mainly used for biologic filtration, providing a place for "good" bacteria to colonize and grow. I have it loose in the compartments of my canister filter, but I think if I were going to try it in an HOB, I would try to find some type of bag to put it in.

 

[Kalavek]

Interesting. I'll look deeper into what I have going on over here and find out if my carbon is actually being used, and see what I can do about swapping the carbon for the Matrix if it makes sense.

Thank you.