Seachem Matrix

[Robris]

I have been told to use Seachem Matrix in my Eheim 2217 as it is really good for building bacteria. I just have a few questions I wanted to ask before I go out and buy it

a)I am going to put the noodles and plastic balls that came with my eheim in as well, so should I put less of the noodles or plastic balls? What is the difference between them two?

b)If matrix rocks can hold that much more bacteria, then why dont peolpe just fill up their canisters with 70% of that stuff and use the 3 sponges instead of the noodles and plastic balls?


thanks for advice, rob

 

[rdd1952]

I use that product in my Fluvals along with the ceramic rings that came with them. It's not so much that it's better but just a matter of having as much media as I can get. That way, if I need to set up a q-tank or need to cycle another tank, I can just take some of the media from the filter and stick it in the new one. I don't think it's possible to have too much media as long as you don't put so much in that it restricts the water flow.

You could easily remove the media that comes with filters and replace it with Matrix without any problems but there really isn't any need to throw away the stuff that came with it. I do believe that media like the Matix or ceramic rings is superior to plastic as it ofers more surfae area for bacteria to colonize. Matrix is said to hae over 40 times as much surface area as plastic balls.