Comparison of Aquarium Filter Bio Media: Seachem Matrix VS Pot Scrubbers: Which Bio Media is Better and Why?
Every aquarium needs a filter for
wiping out fish waste and all the other impurities that could make your fish
sick and ultimately kill them. A filter has 2 important roles. The first role
of the filter is to trap solid impurities that will otherwise rot and leach out
ammonia. Its second important role is to wipe out toxins released from the
detritus. The toxins are ammonia that can pass through the pores of the
mechanical filter media. In order to trap the soluble impurities, biological
media is required. Bio media provides a surface for useful bacteria to grow in
abundance. For removal of organic waste, the contaminated water should react
with the good bacteria. Therefore, it is recommended to setup filtration media
in the following order inside the filter: mechanical media à bio media. Mechanical
media will trap all the detritus using foams / sponges. Bio media will wipe out
the soluble impurities that can pass through the mechanical media therefore,
clean water will be allowed to flow back to the aquarium.
Many diverse kinds of biological
media are available in the market. Nevertheless, I have made comparison of only
two media: Seachem Matrix VS Pot Scrubbers. Have a look at every similar &
different features of each of the two media in this article.
Pot Scrubbers do not deteriorate
and break apart over time. Their pores do not clog simply and if it does, you
can simply wash them, so it can be reused after many washing. Aquarists had
success using pot scrubbers for over 15 years, and it still seemed in good
condition. Unlike Seachem Matrix, scrubbies do not require regular maintenance.
However, the effectiveness of the Matrix is lowered overtime if not properly
maintained. Matrix requires regular cleaning, as the holes of the media will be
clogged and the surface area of the media will be reduced if not maintained
properly. Clean your Matrix with tank water, if its efficiency is reduced to
wipe out all the gunk it has accumulated inside its pores. Matrix does not seem
to offer lots of surface area; nevertheless, matrix has numerous micro pores
over its surface that let heaps of beneficial bacteria develop inside these
pores. Matrix lets aerobic bacteria develop over its surface that remove
ammonia & nitrites. The denitrifying bacteria developed inside the pores of
the Matrix is used for removing nitrates. Nevertheless, pot scrubbers can just
remove ammonia and nitrites, leaving behind nitrates. If you want to get high
surface area at a reasonable price, I would recommend you to get pot scrubbies.
However, if you are interested in wiping out nitrates, then my recommendation
is to use the expensive Seachem Matrix.
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