Pond matrix is cheaper, but I believe it has less surface area. An FX5 full of it is probably sufficient for most tanks though. I have an fx5 full of substrat pro, but if I buy another I'll probably go the pond matrix route for cost.
hey aclockworkorange, I took a look at my LFS. Guess what? They do have pond matrix =D. WOOHOO no need to order online.
BTW i was a fool. I didn't pick the pond matrix but went for de*nitrate, which is smaller than pond matrix. FML! the substrate just fall to the bottom of the FX5 when i pour them in. So now I got 2 choice, Either use a filter bag or a filter wool.. Im opting for filter bag, what are your suggustions?
Ok i brought 2 of those laundry bags for $1 each. Poured 1 bottle of Seachem de*nitrater into each bags and place them in different media baskets in my FX5.
So my current setup is
Top - Ceramic rings
Middle - de*nitrater
Bottom - de*nitrater
I know the de*nitrater state that the optimum flowrate should be about 50LPH for anaerobic bacteria to live and clearly the FX5 flows at MUCH faster rate.
I was wondering, could they still be use to host aerobic bacteria for ammonia and nitrite breakdown?
be care full with the fx5 as it has a very strong negative pressure if you put too much fine filtering type media in it you will end up with it sucking air and a tank full of micro bubbles