I have lava rock in both of my heavily planted tanks. At the end of the process, they become very hard and turn into a rock. I run a bag of siporax. So, I've got a small Nuvo 14 penninsula that has 3 chambers (identical in size to the Nuvo 10). Never know what marketing to believe. I called Seachem and got the scoop. It has been tested in the lab and in thousand of hobbyist's aquariums for more than a decade with excellent results. I have no evidence besides my own experiences, but I know that any media with surface area does the job well, and brand names do not matter. Practically all the specific surface area of both Substrat Pro and MicroMec are in the range … Some say it gets clogged up quickly, while others say they never had that problem. The 3/8" size is the same as Seachem Matrix. "A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." 4.2 out of 5 stars 410. I was all in on marine pure spheres but got sick and tired of the fines & switched to matrix. I have used Seachem's Matrix and DeNitrate which is a type of lava rock (pumice stone). You never have to replace it , so that is a plus. This stone, or mineral, is formed of magma gases in a process of solidifying. BUT my bioload is pretty small. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Filter media: Matrix Pond, Eheim Substrat Pro, Mech, Seachem Denitrate, Ceramic Rings, Sponge. Some people comment that it is like as if the rock has glue on it as it stacks together so well. You are using an out of date browser. I have not gotten around to testing lava rock but I do have a lot of testing information that may be of some use to you. $22.99 $ 22. Rinse in freshwater before use. Please enter a valid email address for yourself. Joined Aug 1, 2016 Messages 140 Reaction score 26. Haven’t looked at siporax. Go. It is $7.25 for 3.5 gallons. Hero Member; Posts: 878; 48096; 48096 Romeo; Seachem Matrix vs Kent Marine Nitrogen Sponge « on: November 19, 2013, 03:21:25 PM » Question: Is Kent Marine Nitrogen Sponge similar to Seachem Matrix ? I'm not wholly certain what seachem uses in this particular media. After many years, I've come around to thinking that the very best material platform for beneficial biology is the simple bio-sponge. Frankly, I think most of what is marketed as bio-media is just more costly hype. You must log in or register to reply here. I haven't used what is commonly referred to as lava rock. Lava Rock Meanings, Zodiacs, Planets, Elements, Colors, Chakras, and more. The lava rock cleans super easily. What size? robham777 Potamotrygon. This, I believe, is due to phosphates and silicates leeching from the rock. I have several ideas related to this. I had the pearls. Lava rock would act like the material in your filter, as would gravel and other objects with lots of surface area. Mineral: RO water with Saltyshrimp Sulawesi 7.5. I noticed many users have complained about receiving an adulterated product, and frankly I thought I had received one as well. They look very natural and stack very well indeed. It may very well be pumice or form of it, better refined, so as to eleminate the majority soluble silicates. Matrix is especially useful in reef aquariums where nitrate removal is highly desirable. 1 of 2 Go to page. for my post #8 I guess links are not allowed. Note that passwords are case-sensitive. Jan 22, 2018 #1 B. burtonboy182 Active Member View Badges . Epic Fail. Trying to decide between marine pure vs Seachem matrix. Best Seller in Aquarium Décor Wood. It is so versatile and you can really have some fun playing around with different pieces and creating various shapes and constructions. Creating a SPS dominant tank. Matrix, porous rings, smooth rings, lava rock. Lot of pages of semi useless information but, there may be something of interest to you there regarding how I have been testing things. In terms of surface area to volume ratio, MarinePure is much better than Matrix, which is better than live rock. PIVBY Natural Aquarium Driftwood Assorted Branches Reptile Ornament for Fish Tank Decoration Pack of 3 . This guide is to highlight all the possible ways on how to prepare lava rocks for the aquarium. Look for the Matrix without Seachem thread in the equipment forum. Surface area measurements indicate that SeaChem Matrix contains nearly 10 times the specific surface area of Substrat Pro, and more than 20 times the specific surface area of MicroMec. You can find Lava Rock in many places and scientists believe it is one of the oldest minerals on the planet Earth. From what I understand, it's best to crush it up to be about pea gravel size or so to get more surface area. I've actually been lazy for the past month and haven't done any water changes, and has had no rise in nitrates. I think Oddball posted a chart on another thread that gave a good breakdown of surface area by media type, I'll repost it if I can find it. Cichlid Experience 11,030 views. FREE Shipping. The main reason i chose to go with this is because some members claim that it has reduced their nitrates. Is there a big difference between Marinepure balls vs matrix vs just using (dead/dry) rock rubble? Reactions: Jhay3513. I use bio-sponge material in my AC70 HOB's - coarse to trap detritus (and house decomp bacteria), then finer for beneficial bacteria and finally a bit of polyester floss for polish. I don’t believe either of these terms (“lava rock” and “volcanic rock dust”) are well-defined or professionally-implemented terms, so there’s a lot of leeway in exactly what the writer is asking about. The rubble will be the hardest, but likely has the least surface area. I am not convinced that it actually reduces nitrates or just helps to control them. You'll find many large fish rooms will simply use air driven sponge filters. Basically its a bio media such as ceramic rings, and lava rock but in the mixture of both. They are pretty brittle and will start crumbling a bit depending on how aggressive you are when cleaning them out. Indoor and Outdoor use - Natural Stones | 10 Pounds. Use caution, since product will fizz and heat on initial wetting. Lava Rock or Basalt is a mineral that, as its name implies, originates from volcanic lava. I tried for over a year to culture anaerobic bacteria to convert nitrates into nitrogen gas using large quantities of Seachem Matrix, DeNitrate and Stability. Lava is an attractive rock in its own right so not only is it beneficial, it is also ornamental too. Scoria is chunks of lava rock, while they have good surface area on their "surface" the fact they tend to be closed cell structure means water does not flow "through" them very well. Use in a filter bag such as Seachem’s Zip Bag™. JavaScript is disabled. If I were to be able to use the Matrix instead of rock, it would be such a major relief. SeaGel™ will function 3–4 months. So, adding lava rocks is definitely going to help you and your aquarium in many ways. I would seed the Matrix with a piece of live rock, though. I have used Seachem's Matrix and DeNitrate which is a type of lava rock (pumice stone). I purchased 4 marine pure blocks … It has nowhere near the living space for bacteria that ceramic rings have but is definately a good alternative. Rock rubble is the cheapest (I have some on hand to toss in), Seachem Matrix comes in a 1 liter and looks like the pieces are pretty small, Marinepure "Gems" looks like the other option (the 1.5" balls are probably too big for my application). The Pros and Cons of Lava Rock As Mulch. After many years, I've come around to thinking that the very best material platform for beneficial biology is the simple bio-sponge. I think it takes a lot longer to establish the denitrifying colonies then some people might think though. How did it work out and how much of it did you use? The Seachem website recommends 500 mL of Matrix per 100 gallons. In order to be able to post messages on the The Planted Tank Forum forums, you must first register. Biohome filter media review - The results! Guess I will have to try it. For best results, SeaGel™ should be placed so as to maximize the flow of water through it. Matrix™ is a specific type chosen for its extremely high porosity, pore size, durability, and inert nature. 99. More porous live rock is obviously better in this respect, and real live rock from dead coral is better than manufactured live rock as far as I know. Sun Nov 29, 2009 3:52 pm. Maybe 8 months or so. Thats not long enough for me to feel comfortable saying weather it is good/bad/indifferent. I prefer maxspect nano-bricks or 25mm siporax rings. So what is Seachem Matrix? Step 1: spread 1L Matrix Pond in the tank, get ready to install undergravel filter on top. Lava rock part 2 aquarium filter media vs biohome - Duration: 4:07. I think they are so brittle because of how porous they are so it’s a trade off between surface area and strength. These stones are found all around the world and are one of the oldest and most abundant minerals on Earth. I don't like lava rock, it's too rough when the fish bump (slam, LOL) into it. Use 250 mL for each 150–225 L (40–60 US gallons). I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews out there. I haven't seen any conclusive proof one way or the other, and it seems most of the answers I've seen are based completely on assumptions or rumors. lava rock or pumice? Lava rock seems to be more common and commonly available. What are you trying to accomplish with it? Adding lava rocks in the aquarium not only enhances your aquarium beauty but also makes a more comfortable and home-like environment to your aquarium inhabitants. Volcanic rock (often shortened to volcanics in scientific contexts) is a rock formed from lava erupted from a volcano.In other words, it differs from other igneous rock by being of volcanic origin. For the best viewing experience please update your browser to, The following errors occurred with your submission. But beneficial bacteria produce nitrate, they don't "eat" it so I don't know how this could happen. Some people say it's garbage compared to ceramic media, while others say it works like a charm. The more surface area you have, the thinner the icky bio film layer over everything is. Also have lava rock in my pond filters and pond's bog. There was an experiment done on The Planted Tank forums using this stuff vs Seachem Matrix, and this stuff actually seemed to cycle the tank faster than Matrix … Seachem Matrix is an effective and reasonably-priced biofiltration media with nitrate-reducing capability. Frankly, I think most of what is marketed as bio-media is just more costly hype. Next Last. Author Topic: Seachem Matrix vs Kent Marine Nitrogen Sponge (Read 2570 times) Maize-N-Blue-D. 4:07 . When you buy Matrix™, you know what you are getting. For example, I heard of it exploding when used in a hybrid water and fire features. CerMedia MarinePure is expensive but offers a high-porosity flow-through design not found in other biological filter media. Lava Rock (also known as Basalt) is an intense mineral that forms when gasses in magma begin to solidify and harden into rock. I've been using seachem matrix for a while, 8 gallon tank, 5 lb live rock, and a ton of matrix, My nitrates have been surpisingly stable, with very little nitrate creep. Out of curiosity, have you noticed whether seeding new tanks with marine pure takes longer than seeding with 'standard' live rock? The foam is the only thing that clogs and takes time to rinse. Neither crumble and seem to provide plenty of surface area. Thread starter burtonboy182; Start date Jan 22, 2018; Tagged users None 1; 2; Next. I feel it works every bit as good or better than any of the materials marketed as bio-media. Sponge vs Crystal; Lava rock is actually a solidified sponge, it’s very porous, and that comes with some added features and problems. Please enter a password for your user account. You'll find many large fish rooms will simply use air driven sponge filters. Is there anything that you could use instead of Matrix that does the same thing and … 3/4' minus? I use nothing but foam padding and filter floss with the same results as expensive medias. Douglas Adams . Additives: Benibachi Super Bacteria Bee Max, Benibachi Mineral for Shrimp, Prodibio Biodigest, Prodibio StopAmmo. But I've also heard of people using normal barbecue lava rock without crushing it at all. Looks like it’s supposed to hold up better and better surface area and permeability? But no, I would say they are not. Marine pure vs Seachem matrix. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Members claim that it has nowhere near the living space for bacteria that ceramic rings, lava rock it... Well be pumice or form of it, better refined, so as eleminate! Gets clogged up quickly, while others say they are pretty brittle and will crumbling... Users None 1 ; 2 ; Next ( slam, LOL ) into it and lava part... Many users have complained about receiving an adulterated product, and lava rock without it. 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