Seachem Matrix Nitrate removal test

[Gruntking]

Just decided to make this thread before falling asleep.
I have heard good word on all of seachems products and today decided to switch over to it rather than the API stress coat and stress zyme i was using.

This products called matrix has been getting a big hype recently from some members and i needed some more bio media for my sump, so i decided to buy a liter of it.

So what is Seachem Matrix?
Basically its a bio media such as ceramic rings, and lava rock but in the mixture of both. It has nowhere near the living space for bacteria that ceramic rings have but is definately a good alternative. The main reason i chose to go with this is because some members claim that it has reduced their nitrates. I keep my tanks pretty stocked up and if i can get by doing 1 50 pct water change a week instead of 2 im trying this!

I will be taking my nitrate readings right before and about 2 hours after doing my water change tomorrow to see what they currently are.

Okay down to specs....

Tank size: 46 gallon bowfront

Filtration: AC110(1 sponge and a carbon bag), 10 gallon sump(mech: polyfilter pads, Chemical: carbon pad, Bio: 3 bags AC110 ceramic rings, 16 pot scrubbies, 3/4 liter seachem matrix.

And the most important thing... stock

Tiger oscar(5-6")
Satanoperca Leucosticta(6")
2 Geophagus Surinamensis (3")
2 Red hump Geophagus (1")
Geophagus brasilensis (3")
ZZ red dragon FH (3-4")
3 yo-yo loaches (3")
clown loach (2-3")
clown knife (7")

I know the tank is pretty stocked but i keep my water changes up and the fish are doing well, dont even have any signs of agression in here.

I am moving the oscar to a bigger tank pretty soon as well so idk how that would do with the test since hes probably the one that produces the most waste.

But anyways, last time i checked my nitrates were in between 20-40 ppm which was yesterday and i will check again in a couple hours before doing the W/C and post pics with results.

This will probably take a couple of weeks to take effect and i will also be putting some matrix in my Xp3 on my 75 and post the results on here as well.

If anyone else would be interested in trying this go ahead and post results on here!

 

[aclockworkorange]

Where are you getting your information that matrix has "nowhere near" the space as ceramic rings? Just curious, not trying to be rude or anything.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Well I think when you look at it. Ceramic rings does seem to have more space for biological filtration considering that both the outer and inner surface are exposed to the water. While Matrix is only a lump of "rock".

Still I don't have an electron microscope and can't firmly conclude on that statement. But I believe that is the general assumption. Purpose of this test is to see if the inner area in Matrix actually does get exposed to the water, allowing biological activity (denitrification).

 

[Jc1119]

I think its the center of the media that Seachem claims to be able to house the anaerobic zones. Supposedly the outer surface can colonize more aerobic as well due to pore size...... But......

I don't know if it's just marketing strategy or not. What is interesting though is I know my nitrates have definately stayed a bit lower since using Matrix in both my main tanks. As a part of my new build for my 300, which hopefully will start late next month, I have bought a media reactor that will house a colony of pond Matrix as an experiment to see if this actually works. I'll be using pond matrix as my main media but with this reactor I will be able to control the flow through the media slowing down the flow rates.

It'll probably take a few months to get good results, since I'll have to see where my nitrates sit week to week without the reactor functioning first, but it'll be interesting to see if there's any difference using this media at different flow rates.

 

[CharlieTuna]

I think Matrix has more bio capacity than rings. I'm using it without any issues. I do not believe it is intended to remove nitrates. I do not see any difference in nitrate removing on the tank I'm running Matrix in vs my tank with bio balls.

 

[lipadj46]

I think ceramic rings and matrix have similar surface areas according to manufacturer specs. As far as nitrate removal goes you will never see it unless it is in a slow flow reactor that allows for anerobic conditions. I believe seachem claims flow can be at most 100gph so in a sump or canister you will never see the denitrification.

 

[Oscarum monstruoso]

I think ceramic rings and matrix have similar surface areas according to manufacturer specs. As far as nitrate removal goes you will never see it unless it is in a slow flow reactor that allows for anerobic conditions. I believe seachem claims flow can be at most 100gph so in a sump or canister you will never see the denitrification.

How about that tube in the center of a sponge filter? The flow is very slow there.

 

[lipadj46]

How about that tube in the center of a sponge filter? The flow is very slow there.

I don't know normally you would need to have something like a canister that is completely sealed and then cut the flow way back, anaerobic bacteria require a carbon source so it would either need to be dirty with poo and what not or you would have to add vodka or a sugar solution.

 

[Jc1119]

How about that tube in the center of a sponge filter? The flow is very slow there.

Or in a reactor, where you can slow the flow to hit the sweet spot, if there is one. With a valve you could slow it down to 20-30 gph......

 

[Gruntking]

Well i am testing it in a small sump. The pump is a Quietone 1200 which at 3-4' head pumps 150-200 GPH