Filter Conversion - 180g Matten filter

[nzafi]

Well finally got to converting from my 3 ac110s to a matten filter. Took me a good 3 hours and I still have some cleaning up and organizing. Decided to convert for the following reasons.

1) Wanted less maintenance. This filter needs to be cleaned once every 1-1.5 years.
2) Low cost and low power. This is an experiment for future 750-900 which if it works means I have great filter for dirt cheap. Not to mention I'm running this on air and it will use even less power than my ac110 combined, plus the pump can support more than twice the size tank.
3) From everything I read this filter can be significantly more effective because of how it works and can even grow bacteria to consume nitrates.
4) Because this filter sits in the tank there are no risks with leaking/draining the tank. I had a ac110 leak on me and I was lucky to catch it before it dumped 100g of water on my floor. The one drawback is that the filter occupies tank space which in this case is about 8% of the sqft.

My next steps are to leave my biomax media behind the matten filter for about 8-12 weeks to let it seed the foam and then I'll remove it.

Equipment breakdown is as follows:
- Jehmco 25lpm pump
- 4in poret foam 24x24
- 3 Jetlifters
- 3 air stones
- 6 check valves

Once I've cleaned everything up I'll post before and after pics. Here is a pic of the equipment.

 

[nzafi]

The experiment has come to an end. My Aimara died jumping out of his tank last night and the tank now sits empty.

 

[knobhill]

Dang, that sucks. Sorry for your loss

 

[deeda]

Sorry for your loss!

 

[nzafi]

Thanks. The tank is still running and I am keeping it cycled until I figure out what I want. I will say a couple things:
1) The pump is very quiet but using air causes bubbling because they jetlifters are submerged. This doesnt bother me but I can see if bothering some.
2) 6ft is a lot of length for this type of filter. I have a powerhead on the opposite end so there should be no problems, but on this type tank doing 2 corners would probably more optimal
3) As I am using air, it seems like there is a lot more oxygen going into the tank versus just using a power head.

 

[brent245]

Why not use the powerhead to run the filter? Put your powerhead behind the foam and run a long tube to the other end of the tank.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I think air and lift tubes are generally used for Matten filters because these filters are designed for a lower, more gentle flow rate than that of a power head.

 

[nzafi]

It's actually a circulation pump and not a powerhead like that.

 

[nzafi]

I think air and lift tubes are generally used for Matten filters because these filters are designed for a lower, more gentle flow rate than that of a power head.

Correct. The general recommendation is to have about 2 x flow for these filters, so even if you use a powerhead it will be a weak one. Swiss Tropicals recommend 3-4x flow and I decided to go with 3 x flow essentially.

Big lesson learned for me is that I currently have my jetlifters fully submerged. I was informed by Swiss Tropicals that this results in losing more than half the flow as the air if fighting against the water. The recommendation is to have the jetlifters no more than 2/3rds of the spouts submerged. Below is a video of the current setup. Will take another video once I make the adjustment.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Looks like a monster filter nz!

I'd try one if I had space to spare in any of my tanks.