Can I have to much bio media

I feel like the answers no but I’m building a DIY canister and have decided to use matrix to fill it I want to put in 4L for my 290L tank but is this too much ?


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Hi There

I don't think you can ever have too much in the sense that it will harm the tank in any way, but this will also depend on your flow rate of the pump you are using.

I have been out of the hobby for a while and only stepping back in to it now, but as far as I recall, the general rule for a canister is 5 times the tank volume per hour for the pump(100L tank needs a 500LPH pump), I see it as you having the following options:

1. If you have more media, you can probably get away with a smaller pump and have reduced current if your fish prefers that
2. Fill the media chamber up with cheaper, less efficient media than matrix and run it at 5 times and hour,
   
3. Add the matrix to meet your tank needs and then fill the rest up with floss/sponges or put the heater inside the filter as well so that you have one less thing in the tank

From the sachem website I found this:

Use 250 mL of Matrix™ for each 200 L (50 US gallons)** of water. Matrix™ may be placed in any kind of filter, and is particularly effective in a canister filter. Matrix™ is sufficiently large that no filter bag should be required for most applications.

 

Agree 200%

You can never have too much media

 

Might kill your wallet. I have maybe 1l should do just fine.

 

Protip. A cheaper alternative to Seachem matrix is japanse Pumice. Looks the same, works the same, but at a fraction of the cost.

I might have a couple of liters still up for grabs if you looking for the cheaper alternative

 

Bio media is like money, you can have enough but never to much.

 

You can have too much biomedia - when it starts taking up space meant for your fish. But from a filtration and biological point of view the answer is no.

 

thanks guys i have gone with the matrix and my diy filter is working amazingly hopefully those pesky nitrates wont be a problem anymore

 

Matrix overblows the nitrate removal of it. Proper anaerobic filtration is difficult to achieve and usually requires a highly specialised setup to remove all the oxygen from water, whereafter anaerobes can prosper and consume the nitrates.

 

Good evening

I am a new Large tank owner and the first time not using a Kit tank with a Top Filter like my 33L Boyu which now homes my Betta.

I recently bought a 2nd hand 80cm 260L tall tank that came with a non operational Atman CF-800 Canister and also. Via Aqua TSF-450 Corner Internal Filter. There is not much space for much Media and it it only seems to have Carbon & Floss. I am also running an Airstone but have turned it off for now as it seems to stress the Gourami.

The Tank is currently not overly stocked with 7 Juvenile Angels, 4 Juvenile Blue Rams, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 7 baby Mystery Snails & a Juvenile Featherfin that I rescued.(Not a good fit as he seems to bully at night so I will need to move him)

The Internal Filter apparently only does 280L/H but I am not sure if this is really sufficient as this means it only cycles once fully per hour.

Currently, I have Hornwort & A small Annubius & Bacopa. Only the Bacopa is planted. I have Driftwood (Spiderwood & Rock). Temp at 26.5deg.

I am not sure if the Cannister can be fixed but ut runs 900l/hour. Would it be better and also suitable for the fish I keep or is this Internal a safe option? Also if I can continue using the Internal Filter, what media would be recommended?

TIA

 

Welcome. For a tank that size it would certainly be a good bet to run an external canister filter with greater water turn over. Larger hang-on-back filters (Tidal 55, Aquaclear 70/110, etc) would also work, although not many internal filters would manage that volume. Of course one can double them up, but certainly try get the large external going if possible.
For now, I’d remove the carbon from the smaller internal filter and pick up some Seachem Matrix (very good stuff). That, along with some sponge and filter floss, works a treat for almost all filters, and the media can be transferred across to a bigger filter when possible.
Building a sump is also a good option to look into, for a tank that size.

 

Thank you @Cale24 I appreciate the ideas. Apologies, there is sponge in as well. I will get the Matrix in the meantime. I am going to investigate the Sump idea.