Wanted to post the results of my water tests of my three setups with the hope to highlight the positive effects of Pond Matrix in my 750gal setup. I know a couple of members here might be interested to see this, including
HUKIT
I started testing the water of my three setups starting in October 2024 (link to this full testing is at bottom of this post), but for the purpose of this analysis I will begin the with the test starting date of 12-Feb-2025, which is three months after inserting the 100 liters of Pond Matrix into the sump of my 750gal setup.
Test device used: Lamotte Spintouch FF Photometer
Date that 100 liters of Pond Matrix was put in the sump: 12-Nov-2024
Start Date of Tests:
12-Feb-2025
End Date of Tests:
23-Sep-2025
Test Span (weeks):
32 weeks
Total Tests (per setup):
87 tests
Avg. test frequency:
2.7 x per week
TEST RESULTS
750gal
450 gal
180 gal
Avg Nitrate (ppm)
1.4 ppm
4.4 ppm
4.1 ppm
Total Water Changes
25
48
45
SETUP DETAILS
750gal setup
Water vol. (gallons):
858
Pond Matrix (liters):
100
Daily Feedings:
3/4 cup krill and raw shrimp meat
Zaire Gibberosa 6":
6
added on 30-Jul-2025
Star Sapphire 4"-6":
5
added on 30-Jul-2025
Zaire Gibberosa 6"-10":
11
added on 14-Dec-2024
Zaire Gibberosa 8"-10":
13
added on 14-Sep-2024
TOTAL FISH:
35
450gal setup
Water vol. (gallons):
510
Pond Matrix (liters):
N/A
Daily Feedings:
1 Tablespoon 3mm Northfin Gold pellets
Leporinus fasciatus 5"-6":
4
added on 10-Aug-2025
Green Terror 2"-4":
2
added on 10-Aug-2025
Firemouth cichlid 3"-4":
5
added on 10-Aug-2025
Oscar 4":
1
added on 30-Jul-2025
Silver Dollars 4"-5":
17
added on 8-Jan-2025
Severums 6":
3
added on 05-Dec-2024
TOTAL FISH:
32
180gal setup
Water vol. (gallons):
197
Pond Matrix (liters):
N/A
Daily Feedings:
1/4 Tablespoon 3mm Northfin Gold pellets
Convict cichlids 3"-5":
8
added on 30-Jul-2025
Red-Tailed Shark 3":
1
added on 30-Jul-2025
Bala Sharks 3":
2
added on 30-Jul-2025
TOTAL FISH:
11
180gal Note: prior to 30-Jul-2025 previous inhabitants were one 4" Oscar and five 4"-6" Star Sapphire.
I'm very much enjoying the fact that I need to do less water changes on the 750gal and, taking into consideration the respective bioloads of the tanks and the feeding amounts, I believe some of that must be due to the Pond Matrix helping to decrease nitrates.
Another factor may the 'natural' food being fed to the 750gal as opposed to the Northfin pellets which have a signifacnt amount of fillers.
HUKIT
