BEST MEDIA AVALIABLE!
- Thread starter mu_2176
- Start date
I don't care what Seachem says, you will not be able to grow anaerobic bacteria in any sump or canister filter to consume nitrates. I've yet to see it happen in the real world. If it only it were that easy. There's a reason people still rely on algae scrubbers and denitrators to reduce nitrates. If you REALLY could reduce nitrates by using a certain type of media, then we'd all have 0 nitrates. But you can't, so we don't 
And lava rock is a horrible choice for bio media. It isn't porous at all. Might as well save some money and use smooth cobble stones for bio media.
And lava rock is a horrible choice for bio media. It isn't porous at all. Might as well save some money and use smooth cobble stones for bio media.
Not doubting you at all, but here in the states 5l of substrat pro goes from anywhere from $54.99 to $90.00. Pond matrix goes for $24.99 a gallon(about 4l).
I use substrat pro, matrix and pond matrix and all work just as well IME. Just depends on how much you want to spend and where you live.
I also have media that been in service for almost 6 years without replacing. I never replace bio media. Just rinse in tank water every few months and place back in your filter.
Matrix can only act as a denitrifier if used in a slow flow reactor (under 100gph) otherwise you will not get any anaerobic denitrification say in a high flow canister filter. I like seachem matrix but you can't make orange juice out of poodles.
Poojuice lol.
This is exactly what I'm going to try on my new tank. Xp1 feeding a phosban 550 throttled back to about 20-30 gph filled with pond matrix. Don't know if it will function as a denitrifier but that's what I aim to find out....
I figure it's worth a shot
rhodes, please feel free to provide evidence, ain't stoping ya, no harm in doing so mate, everyone will benefit from it
MAtrix in australia per liter is roughly $15-$25 substrat pro is around $20-$30 per liters.
MAtrix in australia per liter is roughly $15-$25 substrat pro is around $20-$30 per liters.
^exactly what i was thinking.
Was thinking about using Aqua clay (clay balls, from local nursery), nylon pot scrubbers, Seachem Matrix, Eheim Subsrat Pro, Eheim mechPro, Jap mat. dacron, hagen/fluval bio max, mr aqua porous rings and biohome if i can get any lol
Was thinking about using Aqua clay (clay balls, from local nursery), nylon pot scrubbers, Seachem Matrix, Eheim Subsrat Pro, Eheim mechPro, Jap mat. dacron, hagen/fluval bio max, mr aqua porous rings and biohome if i can get any lol
I don't care what Seachem says, you will not be able to grow anaerobic bacteria in any sump or canister filter to consume nitrates. I've yet to see it happen in the real world. If it only it were that easy. There's a reason people still rely on algae scrubbers and denitrators to reduce nitrates. If you REALLY could reduce nitrates by using a certain type of media, then we'd all have 0 nitrates. But you can't, so we don't
This is one of the things I was trying to get at in my previous post,I have seen or heard no eveidence that matrix pro will perform the function of converting nitrate to nitrogen,in a canister/sump filter setup, as seachem state it will.If rhodes has any evidence then I would genuinly be interested to see it as I am sure many others would be.
You may want to have a look at pumice gravel or crushed pumice,if available, as it has a huge surface area as it contains lots of voids and internal structure,In fact matrix has always look very similar to pumice gravel to me.
I see you have mention aqua clay,a lot of the planted tank guys use this as a base substrate for planted tanks,bonsai planting media is also popular,any of the backed clay medias are popular for there CEC (cation exchange capacity) which may be of some benefit if you are planting at all.
