Pros and Cons (Benefits) of Seachem Matrix in Aquarium Filter

What are the Pros and Cons (Benefits) of Seachem Matrix in Aquarium Filters?

Every filter consists of biological filter media where good bacteria colonize over the surface of the media. Good bacteria helps in breaking down ammonia into less toxic forms: nitrites & nitrates, & this process is known as the nitrogen cycle.

If bio media is very porous, then it offers more surface area for the growth of useful bacteria. Useful bacteria is highly porous so it is very durable. Highly porous media will offer enough room for nitrifying bacteria to propagate.

Pros and Cons of Seachem Matrix in Aquarium Filters

Benefits of Seachem Matrix in aquarium filter:

Seachem Matrix can hold both nitrifying & denitrifying bacteria. Unlike ordinary bio media, Seachem Matrix can wipe out nitrates as well as ammonia, & nitrites from the aquarium water.

Seachem Matrix sinks to the bottom of water, & it is better to keep them in bags of filter to handle them easily. It does not float so it does not cause problems. It is recommended to take bio media out of the filter, & thoroughly clean them to remove dirt that covers the surface of the bio media, as they can produce phosphate & nitrogen spikes in aquarium water.

Seachem Matrix can excellently filter water despite it being more expensive than other bio media. When you purchase Seachem Matrix, then there is no need to buy any other bio media.

 

Pros of Seachem Matrix:

• Very durable so it doesn’t dissolve
• Doesn’t require replacement
• Highly porous so heaps of good bacteria grow over the bio media.
• Seachem Matrix sinks to the bottom of the filter so it does not float over water.
• Nice-looking media
• Seachem Matrix can hold both nitrifying & denitrifying bacteria

 

Cons of Seachem Matrix:

• It consumes space in aquarium or filter
• Requires cleaning to avoid debris from covering the pores of the media
• Seachem Matrix is costly as compared to similar bio media

Verdict:

Seachem Matrix is more expensive than ordinary bio media but once you buy Matrix, then you would never think of adding any other bio media because Matrix is more efficient in cleaning water. Matrix is highly porous so it offers heaps of surface area for colonizing good bacteria. In addition to nitrifying bacteria, Matrix can hold denitrifying bacteria that remove nitrates from the water.