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Hi Kev, just wanted to suggest you get a lab shaker on your shop. I got a bad shoulder and shaking the nitrate bottles got real tiring. I went online and found a lab shaker used to mix test tubes. (They're also used in tattoo shops to shake ink bottles.) They're not expensive and I found they are the perfect thing to help shake my nitrate test bottles and test tubes without tiring myself out. Just a tip for your viewers that might have problems shaking hard enough or long enough.
Before doing the KMA Nitrate Shake workout, I had weak arms. After testing for Nitrates regularly, I can notice a big the difference with the size of my arms just like yours! Now I am looking for a tattoo artist and get some killer ink! Thanks Kev! ;-)
Kev I am a seachem matrix user. I use it in my sump and my FX6's. Now I don't run African Cichilds I keep south Americans. I had bought a new home moved and when I torn down the tanks and reset them back up I started using matrix been about a year now and my nitrate levels have been really surprising. Before using matrix I was water changing every Saturday. Now I am able to extend the water changes to every 2 weeks due to nitrate levels being in a much lower range. So I swear by the product it has done me very well in all my tanks.
Thats great to hear! Thanks for sharing your success with Matrix with the rest of us! I'm looking forward to lower and lower nitrates for my guys too! 😊💪
This is the kind of info busy people like to hear. Keeping your fish in the safety zone but trialing ways to minimize WC’s. I’m going to try Matrix on my Sth American tank for sure!
Informative video! I just added some matrix to my 307 canister. You actually don't have to vigorously shake bottle number one. Just a quick shake is adequate. Bottle 2 is the one that needs a good mix 😊
After reading the other reviews, I thought I will give it a try and in the end De*nitrate really works, brings down my 60 gal overstocked freshwater tank from 80ppm nitrate to a constant 10ppm, however it takes a lot more effort, brain and money on top of the product itself to create an ideal environment for it. And I think it's worth it. First you need a few things: 1. A media reactor cylindrical and clear 2. Liquid flow meter 3. Flow control valve 4. A pre-filter 5. An after-filter 6. A submersible aquarium pump 7. Shut-off valves 8. Stainless/plastic hose clamps and strong cable ties 9. Clear aquarium vinyl tubing 10. 50 micron filter pads Then you connect the submersible pump to a shut-off valve, through a pre-filter, then through media reactor, out through the liquid flow meter, through the flow control valve, then finally an after-filter which is a 50 micron polishing pad tied to the end of the tube submerged in the aquarium. You want the flow rate to be at around 35gph consistently. To do that, you will have to adjust the flow control valve once in a while as the pre-filter catches more and more debris while it slows down the flow little by little. A few things need to be taken into consideration: 1. You need a pump that has a flow rate of at least three times of 35gph just to handle the media reactor and pre-filter, then add roughly additional 100gph for 50 micron polishing pad because it slows down the flow significantly. Finally another 50gph as the flow rate gets slowed down little by little in the long run while it catches more and more debris. 2. You need to use your liquid flow meter to read your current flow rate easily and adjust accordingly. De*nitrate takes about 2 weeks for me to work. 3. Do not cheap out on a pre-filter, make it big, in diameter, not in length. The bigger diameter it has, the longer it takes to slow down the flow significantly hence the longer time periods it provides until maintenance. 4. Put a 50 micron filtering pad inside your pre-filter. This will provide longer working time for your media reactor before it gets clogged up by debris which then it would require a complete rinsing of the media itself. 5. It can be pain in the ass when it comes to the tubing size. The best case scenario would be one size fits all when your pump, your pre-filter, your media reactor, your flow meter all require the same tube size, if not, then you would need multi-hose adapter which adds to the work and cost. 6. Always use clamps in every joint to prevent potential leak. Use plastic cable ties or hose clamps instead of metal clamps for underwater applications. 7. Add shut-off valve at the ins and outs of your pre-filter and media reactor for easy maintenance. 8. After every time you rinse your media, add tiny bit of sugar at the bottom and middle of your reactor as the anaerobic bacteria need a carbon source to thrive. 9. Last but not least, your will need an alkaline buffer and aquarium minerals because once water change becomes less and less often, maintaining a healthy PH and vital minerals level becomes more and more important.
Glad you finally clarified/verified what I have been saying all along. Matrix is a game changer, Matrix along with Pothos is God like water parameters. 😆
Anaerobic bacteria , all test I’ve done over years with a fx 6 or similar cannister filter never had luck because flow rate is to fast. I’ve tried every type of media and no luck . Glad it worked for you..
Kev is THE MAN!! I bought a 65 gallon aquarium in January that came with 4 Mbunas. I’ve changed it to peacocks and have 11 total. I have followed Kev’s advice from nutrition supplements for the Northfin feedings, temperature control, battery air backup, adding matrix, over filtration, wave makers, cichlid trace, water changes, etc. and it’s been amazing!! Of course I’m going to change the 65 to a 150 at least. Thank you Kev for your channel!!! I was a subscriber a long time ago!! It is much appreciated brother!!
I’ve had aquariums for years, saltwater and fresh. However, this is my first African cichlid aquarium and I’m having a blast!! I’d love to get an XL shirt brother!! Advertising for you all I can. I’ve shared your info in the Lexington, KY area!
Thanks a ton for this video! I use Seachem Matrix and was going to change over to the one you were speaking of needing 3 FX6's on a 75 because of all the hype around it supporting anaerobic bacteria. But dang, you need a boat load to get it to do its thing just on a small tank! I saw that my tank would need about 12-13 lbs of that stuff, AND it's outrageously priced. Plus, even the big FX6 trays only hold just over 3 lbs of it. I'm so glad to see the Matrix I'm currently using in both canisters on my tank is proving to do the job! I too have an overstocked tank of Peacocks and Haps. I run an FX6 & a SunSun 704B on a 90g tank. I'm building my own 180g tank to transfer what's in my 90g + a few more added to keep them overstocked & dump the SunSun for another FX6. Then run 2 SunSun 704Bs on the 90 for some South American cichlids. Keep up the great work & videos!
Thanks Kev, for detailed video on Seachem Matrix. Seachem makes world class products.. What I additionally like in watching your videos is that there is NO NONSENSE, you teach us on the dot. ❤️
great test KaveMan, I love the validation and proof. I just got back in the hobby of African Cichlids since retiring, your videos are spot on. Seachem has always been a great company, my survival kit since getting back into the hobby Seachem Safe, Prime, Matrix and Tidal 110. I also love that they aren't trying to sell you Matrix every 6 months.
Hey, am man's word is his word. Don't listen to those who would question it. I've been using matrix for a while and it works for me. I run a much smaller tank 23 gallons and use a fluval 107. I overstock ( a little) just community tropicals and it keeps my nitrates down to an acceptable level, usually around 40ppm before my weekly maintenance. Good video confirming what I already knew, but in great detail.
I’ve been doing the same test in 2 125 gallon tanks one with large rainbow fish community tank and one with South American cichlids and have noticed my nitrates are decreasing. But I also added more matrix too the canister filters before test started 3 months ago. Great video keep up
It’s amazing 🤩 to see how far kave came from I been watching from u got ur 75 gallon until now seeing this make me so happy for you fam u came along way and we will always support you on this Journey
I just wanted to say I appreciate your in-depth analysis on these solutions. You’ve helped me get my fish glowing with that nourish, vitachem, garlic, zooplankton combination. Recently noticed that all my parameters are perfect- except for high nitrates. I’ll give matrix a shot, seachem has never let me down all these years of using their stuff.
If you want to reliably eliminate nitrates from your overstocked tank without doing tons of water changes or buying super expensive media, set up a refugium or even overhead sump with live plants (so the cichlids can't simply eat and destroy them)
Sweet! Loved how you disclosed the result within the first minute and mentioning that you are seachem ambassador for transparency! Either way i would have still watched the whole video because of how much you have taught me since starting this hobby. And so far 0 death 10 months in. Thank you so much for making informative videos! Edit: Finished watching the video and i will definitely be swapping my arowana community with 2 florida gars, 1 fire eel and a lima shovelnose x RTC catfish tank to seachem matrix as that tank has nitrates thru the roof
All I can say is AWESOME!! This is absolutely the most informative, straight forward video I have seen regarding Seachem Matrix. While I am NOT surprised by the results (I have experienced firsthand the benefits of Matrix), I was curious how it would fare in your setup. Just to be clear did you stick with the same setup in both FX6's? Your other video had the top tray with two layers of filter floss with a purigen pack sandwiched in between them. The other two trays (w/o red inserts) were packed with Matrix in media bags for a total of 8 liters between both FX6's. Thank You for the video!
Glad you enjoyed it bro!! 😊 Both FX6's were packed to the top with Matrix. Dont remember if I had exact same "clear pad/purigen" setup in both. What I can say is through out the 4 months I changed the clear pad and purigen twice as they got clogged in order to prevent detritus passing through and clogging up any of the Matrix.
I have been using a JBL 902 filled with pumice for almost 2 years now . First year it was on a 57 liter tank and now it's on a 200 liter tank . I have to dose extra NO3 as fertiliser for my plants . It does work but anaerobic bacteria takes a while to get settled . I opened my filter after two years for a rotor clean and that's all .
Great video and I have to agree with you. I've been using matrix in most of my overstocked tanks and nitrates have been held in check. This product works great.
Anerobic bacteria is a very interesting part of the hobby. In one section of my sump I originally had inert lava rock with airstones under it & full flow from my overflow.long story short I created a nitrate factory long term. Since removing the stones, bagging the media & re-plumbing the sump so the flow over that media is diverted to my k1, I've noticed very little nitrate build up.even on a heavily stocked discus tank.low flow, low oxygen bio media definitely works As part of a sump'd filtration setup
Hi! As usual, great video with great information.... Just one comment on Seachem Matrix... I bought a 4L bucket back in May and I paid $35 in Amazon.... as I am replacing the biomedia in all my canisters, I went to order another 4L bucket and guess what... it is now $42... it was $45 a week ago!!! Crazy!!!!1
A natural way to lower nitrates is to have a separate tank full of water plants. Just route the water into that tank and back again. Water flow can be a fast drip. The nice thing about a separate tank for plants is that you can keep light on or off separately from the fish tank lighting. You don't need to clean the plant tank because no fish poop gets in there.
That’s easy with fresh water to keep nitrates down. Saltwater is more difficult because plants are harder to find that actually reduce nitrates. There is sea lettuce, macro algae mermaids fan. But it’s hard to find those in bulk. That’s one nice thing about fresh water is plants help a lot with nitrates. Salt you need a lot of filtration and media
I've changed over to Matrix in all my filters. I also have Tidal HOB filters in addition to my canisters. I've learned so much from your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make and them with us.
First of all, thank you for your service Kev. Love the channel and content. I'm switching from potscrubbers slowly to matrix in my FX6. I will forever use Seachem and Fluval products. Best in the business. Happy New Year! LET'S GO!!!
Hmmm...Very impressive! I was on the fence with this product because of the biomedical that comes with the Aquaclear filter..maybe this will be better..Thank you for the time you put in to show how this works!
I knew it would work! I also did the test on my 200L tank, using 3 Liters of Sera Siporax and after a few months, the nitrates went down from about 30 to 5mg/L with a weekly 15% water change. I did a little video on my channel showing how I’ve set up my canister filter and the mechanical filtration I use. Cheap and very efficient! Love your vids bro 🤜🤛
I've been waiting so long for this video!!! Thank you. I was going to ask why you haven't posted the matrix update in a while. Makes sense why now.. THANK you
@KaveManAquatics Hey Kev can you explain the difference between Purigen and Matrix? Not sure if I should continue with sponge/biomedia/ Purigen pillow in my hob's or ditch that and run sponge/biomedia/floss in my hob and run Matrix in a reactor. Thanks for your advice! Love your channel it's like going to Church for me 😎
That's pretty good stuff. You're the first person I've ever seen get results like that from matrix or any other bio media like the expensive one from across the pond. The result is impressive. Look into anoxic filtration. I use it on all my tanks. I have a 110 gallon with 45 adult cichlids in it. Way over stocked. All my filters are filled with nothing but sponge for biomedia plus I'm using anoxic filtration on top of that. No ceramic or anything like that of any kind just sponge. I do weekly water changes the same as you 80%. This tank is under 30 ppm nitrate using anoxic filtration. It also reduces phosphates.
These types of media are also apparently Anoxic. Low oxygen bacteria that take oxygen from the wastes like nitrates.. And convert them back to harmless gas.. Nitrogen, etc.
@@bubblerings they say they are. I've only seen one video of anyone saying they had reduced nitrate after using matrix or biohome. There are many reviews of both.
I wish I seen this video earlier. But having seen it, I went out and got me some Matrix. I filled up a whole top tray of my 407 and lets see what it can do 😁 Thanks for that video!
I hadn’t understood the point of Seachem Matrix until now - great explanation. Okay I’m going to get some Matrix to add in at my next quarterly FX-6 servicing clean! Sounds worthwhile!
Oh man, I would LOVE one of those AquaSpin Photometers. No more kits, dye, tubes, spilling....its awesome! I cant afford 2K, so I guess it is the AP Master Kit for me for quite a while.
I have a species only 180 gallon tank of Frontosas & I’ve only added the Purigen in my FX6 since you did your video talking about it and my nitrate levels dropped even without the Matrix! So I’m definitely going to try it now..
Hi Kev, love all your videos! You have really helped me get started in this hobby, thank you! One unrelated question: I just picked up a 125 gallon tank (72"x18.5"x23.75") and two FX6 filters. Can you explain how I should position my intake and return hoses? I was thinking both intakes on the same side and both returns on the same side of the tank. What do you think? Might be a good topic for a video! Thanks!
I added 2L Matrix to my 92G planted fancy goldfish aquarium 5 months ago. I have 5 1 year old goldfish in it and my nitrate level is about 13ppm after a week. I'm excited to see if it reaches further down.
I appreciate all the effort put into this experiment but unless you are weighing the specific amount of food (and using identical food throughout the duration of the 8 months so there is something to compare it to) that is being put into the system every day and keeping it repeatable it really doesn't mean much. Every test I have seen and done does not allow for anaerobic bacteria to survive in a fishtank environment. I'd love to see a truly scientific large scale paper from one of the manufactures but they simply will not publish anything. Again good content and I appreciate you trying and generally succeeding at helping people in the hobby but unfortunately I think that oversight ruined the validity of the test.
I feed the same 3 things in the same amounts on a scheduled rotation. So theres that. Besides that. The minuscule difference a portion of food may or may not have is not going to alter an overstocked 210 gallon tanks nitrate levels from nearly 160PPM the day before a water change, to 40. Not going to happen. Furthermore, before having the Matrix, feeding in the same way I've always fed. My nitrates never budged. Never altered. Never were any higher or lower than usual. Like I said in the video, the only variable in 4 months was the addition of Matrix.
It works, the test here is very good, the type of food is irrelevant and its effect on the results would be negligible, it's not expensive if you doubt it try it. I have been using it before I saw this video, and the test here is spot on with the same results I have seen myself.
@@KaveManAquatics haha getting started in this hobby, and I can’t believe there’s so much hate being spread out.. thank you for all the valuable information.
Hey Kaveman! Just recently found your channel and love your content:) I have a 55 gallon mbuna tank (18 mbuna and wanting to add a few more). I currently have an old Eheim 2217 that I use with ceramic rings and matrix. My nitrates are consistently high…in the 80-160 range. I was thinking of adding a Fluval FX4 to try to help with the nitrates, but after watching this video I’m wondering if it’s even necessary! About two weeks ago I added some pothos plants to the top of my aquarium sandwiched between lid halves. No noticeable change in nitrates yet, but I’ll remain hopeful for now. Next week I plan to open up the filter and add purigen. I will add more matrix and remove the ceramic rings. Fingers crossed. I have also heard that sand filters can help with nitrate reduction. Have you ever tried that? I purchased one, but got frustrated with it when I tried to connect it with the canister filter. I may try it again but just have it as a stand alone filter.
Texas Well water treatment I have a question about my (well water) and this community seems educated. A local water treatment company wants to sale me a clack WS1 valve 48k grain water softener single tank(single vs 2 tank water softener what's the difference?) (Not sure if this is big enough may need to go with 64k), Nitrate filter tank( do I need this), whole house water settlement filter for $3,300 includes labor and fittings, what do you think about price and size of water softener. Never had one before. Water is: hardness 35 GPG, Nitrate 10 ppm(is it safe to shower in and brush your teeth with), Nitrite 0ppm, Alkalinity 220ppm, iron 0ppm, copper .03ppm, chlorine 0ppm, PH 7.8ppm-8.5ppm(depending on the test), TDS 894ppm (their test), pesticides no, Lead no. I use primo for drinking water so don't need RO system. 2 bathrooms with (one 60 gallon garden tub, 2 showers) with 2 maybe 3 people(full time at home) with guests once a month. At 100 gallons a day per full time person. What water softener grain capacity should I have. 35x200x7 days=49,000 grain 35x300x7 days=73,500 grain 2 person @100 gallons @35 GPG hardness=200x35=7,000 grains a dayx7 day region=49k grain but with 48k grain it will be 6.8571428571 days region May have 3 people @100 gallon at 35 gpg hardness=73.5K grains, 7 day region. But with 48k grain it will region 300x35=10,500 grain a day, 48K÷10,500= 4.5714285714 days before region. 6.8571428571-4.5714285714=2.2857142857 days less before region 30÷4.5714285714=6.5625x it will region Vs 30÷6.8571428571=4.375x it will region So it will do 2.1875 more regions a month
I have a question, which may set something off: has anyone tried adding aquarium water, some food waste, stability and pristine to a bucket of Matrix and leaving it set for a month or so to propagate anaerobic bacteria, before putting it into your filters? -Just a thought...
Oh hell yeah !!! I put Matrix in both of my FX6's last month, this is great news 😁🤙 That was fast too, I didn't expect the anaerobic bacteria to start getting established so soon. Good Job Jarhead 😉👌
Correction: I put Matrix in both of my FX6's in July...woot !!! I have already been seeing dramatic results from the Pothos & Anubias I planted last June (with the Poth-O-Carry). My 27 Juvenile Tanganyikan (carnivore) are growing but still not close to your Malawi's size but I'm confident now I'm not going to have to do 80% water changes when they get big which you know I hate. 25% to 40% is my preferred amount. Again great news Kev, you made my day !!!
I've always used matrix for years I love it I just filled my fx4 with biohome two days ago first time using it ....bit pricey but I figured I try something different....well see how it goes
@@gulag8040 honestly when the time comes to setting up a new filter I'm gonna be going back to seachem matrix.....not to say the biohome is bad as of now iam leaning towards matrix I been fish keeping for over 20years I know my parameters my tanks my routine I just have a general feel and I'd say not only does seachem seem slightly better the price is way lower ......hope this helps have a good one
If you decide to go for it, I'd appreciate if you used my affiliate link 😊 - amzn.to/3AON8UY - kaveman-aquatics.myshopify.com/products/lamotte-3581-mobile-waterlink-spin-touch-lab
Wow, never thought of that. I guess it’s kinda similar to gravel substrate. I think it will definitely grow anaerobic bacteria. Question is, will your fish enjoy that as their substrate…
Love your videos, just one question. How come your Aquarium is so clean from algea despite the high nitrates? I have a big problem in my tank with algea despite having a low amount of nitrates.
Algae can grow for other reasons besides having high nitrates. Lights and phosphates contributes as well. I also have a pleco that helps to eat the algae when it grows. My book on getting crystal clear water can definitely help! 😁 It's short, to the point, and covers all the causes and solutions for cloudy and green water from algae growth. Comes in eBook and Paperback. I promise You won't be disappointed! Check it out here - bit.ly/clearH2O
I know everything you say is true. There are also some glass media that also provide good anaerobic growth as well. One thought on your nitrates if you take a HOB filter, put no media in it, but grow plants in it, the nitrate loving plants should help remove nitrates as well.
Thanks for the knowledge. You are making me see just how many mistakes that I am making and how much unnecessary money that I am spending. I currently have a 75 gallon with a Tidal 110, SunSun 304B, Fuval 407 and a Hygger double sponge filter. I presently only have matrix in the double sponge filter. Where do you suggest I put the Matrix for the best results?
Add matrix to both canisters. The HOB is optional. You only have to do it once and never again. Keep it clean and dont let it glog by always have a fine mechanical pad before the bio media. 😊
Using Matrix even in my 78l community tank, with asian little cyprinids and neos. It’s the best biomedia available with neomedia from aquario, but Matrix is durable so it’s a +. Green Aqua is a great user of it. I did put 1l of Matrix in my e402 even though it’s a lot, and might be overkill, I will put 4l in my new biomaster filter even if it’s for raw 78l tank.
Ey this is a really good video long time ago I bought seachem matrix and 6 months later my nitrates were almost at 10ppm for a 450liters tanks without plants, so will be nice if you can do an update like 3mobths later when the bacteria colony is full, big fan nice video :)
@@KaveManAquatics hey, i totally forgot to wash my matrix i put in. Someone recommended me doing a 99% water change?? What would u recommend? 80% ? 50%? Not that serious?
Love the vids kaveman thanks to you I started the hobby I only use seachem products I got 2 tanks now a 10 gallon and a 55 gallon I’m getting mts already
im not sure why people keep using matrix and matrix pond to remove nitrate yes it can hold some of the bacteria to remove nitrate but its not the main selling point of that doesnt seachem have denitrate or brightwell with nitratz to do that better ? it would be nice if people doing testing on those instead but thanks for the testing
It works better the lower flow you have. My tank's been on 3 and 1/2 years with no water changes and nitrates are still at 35 PPM which is a little bit high but considering it hasn't gone up and there are no plants, I'm pretty impressed
@@KaveManAquatics I use a regular hygger sponge filter with Seachem matrix in it. I also have the larger Seachem pond matrix (live rock) that is designed specifically for more anaerobic space, which I glued to make a aquascape thing. I started to see little nitrogen bubbles coming up from the live rocks after about 8-10 months, but I suspect it was actually working before that and just dissolving in the water. Seachem pond matrix is designed for higher flow environments but is more suitable for things like a sump or HOB due to the size of the rocks. Works great though if you just toss them in. There's a great video on anaerobic filtration, basically if you get a really big sponge and turn the flow down really really low, the first part of the filter will grow bacteria that eats up oxygen until there's none left and then after that it's anaerobic. The flow has to be extremely low and it's delicate to balance. Matrix and pond matrix basically forces the water to slow down enough that all of the bacteria is able to eat up the oxygen in the outside parts before it gets to the inside. Matrix itself still prefers medium to low flow but you can get away with high flow in pond matrix because it has much more volume for the unit of surface area. It definitely is able to remove nitrates, but it does take a while for it to start working. Funny enough, you can actually kind of do the same with fluval product as well if you get the flow really low and also wait a couple years. Eventually all of the pores kind of plug up with growth and bacteria and the flow decreases enough. It doesn't work as well though.
@@KaveManAquatics it's just a sponge filter and seachem matrix. Actually I lied, I did a single 10%ish water change last year when I used a hose and my finger to suck up some snails into a bucket 😂😂😂
Hey Kev Seachem Matrix works! I also use matrix in all 6 of my tanks. My water starts with no nitrates only do 30% monthly or bi weekly water changes with a zero reading of nitrates for over a year . When used it in my sump for my 75g reef tank. it keeps a steady 13.9ppm reading of nitrate with bi weekly water changes and never seems to go higher is I skip or miss a water change
Hey Kev I have 5 to 10 parts of nitrate in my 150 gallon hap tank my tank is heavily stocked I have 2 Eheim classic XL 1500 filters and do 3 small multi water changes a week and in my filters I have the no name Chinese bio rings the main key to low nitrates is over filter and adequate water changes that's my 2 cents on it love your vids keep up the good work
you might help Snake River Cichlids I ask them what ph thay have cichlids in just so i wood match or get close but thay told me wont help me dont know why but did say you might but not every store keeps them at 7.8 to 8.2 so can you help dont know why thay dont.
Its called LaMotte 3581 Mobile WaterLink Spin Touch Lab. But, it aint cheap bro! FInd it in my shop here - kaveman-aquatics.myshopify.com/products/lamotte-3581-mobile-waterlink-spin-touch-lab
@@KaveManAquatics thanks kev. Yeah i figured it ain't cheap that's ok. I have another question. I bought a bucket of that matrix obviously i have bio media already in my filters. What's you're opinion for the best way to integrate it in my filtration to eventually switch it out with the established media in there so as not to put my fish in danger. Even though I've been keeping fish in like forever i really value you're knowledge. Thanks bro for you're time.
I haven’t seen much decrease since this video. It’s pretty much been the same. I think I’ve hit my max for nitrate reduction for the amount of media being used. If I could add more it may improve but haven’t had the time to try that yet.
@@KaveManAquatics well that’s just the thing. I don’t! I’ve been told that they can grow deep within the “pores” of the rings, similar to how I understand the matrix to work. So maybe my question really was, if you believe the matrix can allow these bacteria to grow, why wouldnt they on the ceramic material?
Second 9:29 ..... When camera hates you.... lol. j/k I do believe you anyway. I have been watching your videos for help on keeping my African Cichlids. Thanks for your videos!!
Interested in trying Seachem Matrix for yourself?
Purchase from the new KAVEMAN SHOP 🏫
All purchases through my affiliate links help to support the channel 😁
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Postage price to UK is greater than the price of the product. Am not sure if am doing something wrong ;🤔
@@tuttabob Where are you seeing a postage price? If you click the link from my shop it should take you to the UK Amazon website.
Hi Kev, just wanted to suggest you get a lab shaker on your shop. I got a bad shoulder and shaking the nitrate bottles got real tiring. I went online and found a lab shaker used to mix test tubes. (They're also used in tattoo shops to shake ink bottles.) They're not expensive and I found they are the perfect thing to help shake my nitrate test bottles and test tubes without tiring myself out. Just a tip for your viewers that might have problems shaking hard enough or long enough.
@@LeeHarvey81 oh wow, that’s great! Thanks for the tip!
hi Kaveman, my question is about substrate. if I change over to aragonite does that mean I no longer need to add any lake salt or buffer
I laughed because you anticipated the haters saying, “He switched the tube. Blah blah blah.” Lol!!!! And that’s why you’re the champ. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💛💛💛💛
lol, I had to think ahead of them 🤣🤣
Your Reviews & shared experience really help!!
Thanks
Mike
Thank you for the support Mike! I really appreciate it! Sorry for the late reply, its been a crazy week 😁
Before doing the KMA Nitrate Shake workout, I had weak arms. After testing for Nitrates regularly, I can notice a big the difference with the size of my arms just like yours! Now I am looking for a tattoo artist and get some killer ink! Thanks Kev! ;-)
Lol, I literally gave myself a repetitive strain injury thanks to the nitrate tests 🤣
Kev I am a seachem matrix user. I use it in my sump and my FX6's. Now I don't run African Cichilds I keep south Americans. I had bought a new home moved and when I torn down the tanks and reset them back up I started using matrix been about a year now and my nitrate levels have been really surprising. Before using matrix I was water changing every Saturday. Now I am able to extend the water changes to every 2 weeks due to nitrate levels being in a much lower range. So I swear by the product it has done me very well in all my tanks.
Thats great to hear! Thanks for sharing your success with Matrix with the rest of us! I'm looking forward to lower and lower nitrates for my guys too! 😊💪
This is the kind of info busy people like to hear. Keeping your fish in the safety zone but trialing ways to minimize WC’s. I’m going to try Matrix on my Sth American tank for sure!
Informative video! I just added some matrix to my 307 canister.
You actually don't have to vigorously shake bottle number one. Just a quick shake is adequate. Bottle 2 is the one that needs a good mix 😊
That is correct! Since I cant ever remember which one, I just do both lol
After reading the other reviews, I thought I will give it a try and in the end De*nitrate really works, brings down my 60 gal overstocked freshwater tank from 80ppm nitrate to a constant 10ppm, however it takes a lot more effort, brain and money on top of the product itself to create an ideal environment for it. And I think it's worth it.
First you need a few things:
1. A media reactor cylindrical and clear
2. Liquid flow meter
3. Flow control valve
4. A pre-filter
5. An after-filter
6. A submersible aquarium pump
7. Shut-off valves
8. Stainless/plastic hose clamps and strong cable ties
9. Clear aquarium vinyl tubing
10. 50 micron filter pads
Then you connect the submersible pump to a shut-off valve, through a pre-filter, then through media reactor, out through the liquid flow meter, through the flow control valve, then finally an after-filter which is a 50 micron polishing pad tied to the end of the tube submerged in the aquarium. You want the flow rate to be at around 35gph consistently. To do that, you will have to adjust the flow control valve once in a while as the pre-filter catches more and more debris while it slows down the flow little by little.
A few things need to be taken into consideration:
1. You need a pump that has a flow rate of at least three times of 35gph just to handle the media reactor and pre-filter, then add roughly additional 100gph for 50 micron polishing pad because it slows down the flow significantly. Finally another 50gph as the flow rate gets slowed down little by little in the long run while it catches more and more debris.
2. You need to use your liquid flow meter to read your current flow rate easily and adjust accordingly. De*nitrate takes about 2 weeks for me to work.
3. Do not cheap out on a pre-filter, make it big, in diameter, not in length. The bigger diameter it has, the longer it takes to slow down the flow significantly hence the longer time periods it provides until maintenance.
4. Put a 50 micron filtering pad inside your pre-filter. This will provide longer working time for your media reactor before it gets clogged up by debris which then it would require a complete rinsing of the media itself.
5. It can be pain in the ass when it comes to the tubing size. The best case scenario would be one size fits all when your pump, your pre-filter, your media reactor, your flow meter all require the same tube size, if not, then you would need multi-hose adapter which adds to the work and cost.
6. Always use clamps in every joint to prevent potential leak. Use plastic cable ties or hose clamps instead of metal clamps for underwater applications.
7. Add shut-off valve at the ins and outs of your pre-filter and media reactor for easy maintenance.
8. After every time you rinse your media, add tiny bit of sugar at the bottom and middle of your reactor as the anaerobic bacteria need a carbon source to thrive.
9. Last but not least, your will need an alkaline buffer and aquarium minerals because once water change becomes less and less often, maintaining a healthy PH and vital minerals level becomes more and more important.
Can you make a video on it?
Glad you finally clarified/verified what I have been saying all along.
Matrix is a game changer, Matrix along with Pothos is God like water parameters. 😆
I never doubted you brother, just had to verify it myself before recommending it out to the masses! Glad you’re feeling better sir!!! 😁💪
@@KaveManAquatics understood, and yes everyday a little stronger.
What an awesome way to present things. BAM, out of the gate with the answer, then the details. Thank you for showing how it’s done. Subbed
My pleasure! Glad it was helpful! 😁
Anaerobic bacteria , all test I’ve done over years with a fx 6 or similar cannister filter never had luck because flow rate is to fast. I’ve tried every type of media and no luck . Glad it worked for you..
Have you tried Matrix for 4-6 months without disturbing the canister?
Kev is THE MAN!! I bought a 65 gallon aquarium in January that came with 4 Mbunas. I’ve changed it to peacocks and have 11 total. I have followed Kev’s advice from nutrition supplements for the Northfin feedings, temperature control, battery air backup, adding matrix, over filtration, wave makers, cichlid trace, water changes, etc. and it’s been amazing!! Of course I’m going to change the 65 to a 150 at least. Thank you Kev for your channel!!! I was a subscriber a long time ago!! It is much appreciated brother!!
Thank you bro! Happy to hear how your hobby has come along! Thanks for sticking with me all this time! 😊💪
I’ve had aquariums for years, saltwater and fresh. However, this is my first African cichlid aquarium and I’m having a blast!! I’d love to get an XL shirt brother!! Advertising for you all I can. I’ve shared your info in the Lexington, KY area!
Thanks a ton for this video! I use Seachem Matrix and was going to change over to the one you were speaking of needing 3 FX6's on a 75 because of all the hype around it supporting anaerobic bacteria. But dang, you need a boat load to get it to do its thing just on a small tank! I saw that my tank would need about 12-13 lbs of that stuff, AND it's outrageously priced. Plus, even the big FX6 trays only hold just over 3 lbs of it. I'm so glad to see the Matrix I'm currently using in both canisters on my tank is proving to do the job! I too have an overstocked tank of Peacocks and Haps. I run an FX6 & a SunSun 704B on a 90g tank. I'm building my own 180g tank to transfer what's in my 90g + a few more added to keep them overstocked & dump the SunSun for another FX6. Then run 2 SunSun 704Bs on the 90 for some South American cichlids. Keep up the great work & videos!
Thanks Kev, for detailed video on Seachem Matrix.
Seachem makes world class products..
What I additionally like in watching your videos is that there is NO NONSENSE, you teach us on the dot.
❤️
Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying the channel! 😊
great test KaveMan, I love the validation and proof. I just got back in the hobby of African Cichlids since retiring, your videos are spot on. Seachem has always been a great company, my survival kit since getting back into the hobby Seachem Safe, Prime, Matrix and Tidal 110. I also love that they aren't trying to sell you Matrix every 6 months.
Happy to hear the “Let’s go!” is back! Great video as always!
HAHA,
With every video you do I get more educated in the fish world!! Keep up the great work bro. Love your videos!!LETS GOOOOO!!!
Glad to hear that bro! Always happy to hear that the channel is helpful! 😊💪
TBH with you. ..these type of videos are the reason why I subscribed to your channel at the very beginning, keep'em coming bro!
Good to know! Thank you for sticking with me through all the “experimental”content 🤣
Exactly why i love this channel i currently have matrix in my tanks and i was wondering if it actually works and now i see it does work thanks Kev!
My pleasure! Glad you're enjoying the channel! 😁
Hey, am man's word is his word. Don't listen to those who would question it. I've been using matrix for a while and it works for me. I run a much smaller tank 23 gallons and use a fluval 107. I overstock ( a little) just community tropicals and it keeps my nitrates down to an acceptable level, usually around 40ppm before my weekly maintenance.
Good video confirming what I already knew, but in great detail.
Thank you bro, Glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve been doing the same test in 2 125 gallon tanks one with large rainbow fish community tank and one with South American cichlids and have noticed my nitrates are decreasing. But I also added more matrix too the canister filters before test started 3 months ago. Great video keep up
Happy to hear you're getting similar results. Im sure in a few more months we'll both see an increase to the decreases, lol
It’s amazing 🤩 to see how far kave came from I been watching from u got ur 75 gallon until now seeing this make me so happy for you fam u came along way and we will always support you on this Journey
Thank you for sticking with me all this time. Even through all my “experimental” content! 🤣💪
I just wanted to say I appreciate your in-depth analysis on these solutions. You’ve helped me get my fish glowing with that nourish, vitachem, garlic, zooplankton combination. Recently noticed that all my parameters are perfect- except for high nitrates. I’ll give matrix a shot, seachem has never let me down all these years of using their stuff.
Seachem did say it takes a lot of matrix to notice any difference…
If you want to reliably eliminate nitrates from your overstocked tank without doing tons of water changes or buying super expensive media, set up a refugium or even overhead sump with live plants (so the cichlids can't simply eat and destroy them)
my malawi cichlids keep eating the roots of pothos...😡
@@globalzero that's why you need to put it in a filter, refugium, sump etc so they can't get it
You are the best out there, thank you for explaining things briefly, and not making it a 2 hr video love the channel big kudos!
Thank you bro! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the channel! 😁💪
Sweet! Loved how you disclosed the result within the first minute and mentioning that you are seachem ambassador for transparency! Either way i would have still watched the whole video because of how much you have taught me since starting this hobby. And so far 0 death 10 months in. Thank you so much for making informative videos!
Edit: Finished watching the video and i will definitely be swapping my arowana community with 2 florida gars, 1 fire eel and a lima shovelnose x RTC catfish tank to seachem matrix as that tank has nitrates thru the roof
It's my pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! 😊
You've answered my questions about Matrix that have been a debate in my head for a while. Great video 👍
Awesome! Glad to hear it! 😊
All I can say is AWESOME!! This is absolutely the most informative, straight forward video I have seen regarding Seachem Matrix. While I am NOT surprised by the results (I have experienced firsthand the benefits of Matrix), I was curious how it would fare in your setup. Just to be clear did you stick with the same setup in both FX6's? Your other video had the top tray with two layers of filter floss with a purigen pack sandwiched in between them. The other two trays (w/o red inserts) were packed with Matrix in media bags for a total of 8 liters between both FX6's. Thank You for the video!
Glad you enjoyed it bro!! 😊 Both FX6's were packed to the top with Matrix. Dont remember if I had exact same "clear pad/purigen" setup in both. What I can say is through out the 4 months I changed the clear pad and purigen twice as they got clogged in order to prevent detritus passing through and clogging up any of the Matrix.
Thanks for the no bs long term review, I ordered my matrix today
My pleasure! Enjoy that new Matrix!! 😁💪
I have been using a JBL 902 filled with pumice for almost 2 years now . First year it was on a 57 liter tank and now it's on a 200 liter tank . I have to dose extra NO3 as fertiliser for my plants . It does work but anaerobic bacteria takes a while to get settled . I opened my filter after two years for a rotor clean and that's all .
Nice that you get to the point...no fluff. Well done sir!
Glad you liked it!
Great video and I have to agree with you. I've been using matrix in most of my overstocked tanks and nitrates have been held in check. This product works great.
Thank you bro, glad to hear you've had success as well!
Anerobic bacteria is a very interesting part of the hobby.
In one section of my sump I originally had inert lava rock with airstones under it & full flow from my overflow.long story short I created a nitrate factory long term.
Since removing the stones, bagging the media & re-plumbing the sump so the flow over that media is diverted to my k1, I've noticed very little nitrate build up.even on a heavily stocked discus tank.low flow, low oxygen bio media definitely works As part of a sump'd filtration setup
I think the most success with growing anaerobic bacteria will always be in a sump. Where you can create that low flow, low oxygen! 👍
Hi! As usual, great video with great information.... Just one comment on Seachem Matrix... I bought a 4L bucket back in May and I paid $35 in Amazon.... as I am replacing the biomedia in all my canisters, I went to order another 4L bucket and guess what... it is now $42... it was $45 a week ago!!! Crazy!!!!1
Inflation bro…even bio-media goes up 🤣
Sure.... Corruption = Inflation.....
A natural way to lower nitrates is to have a separate tank full of water plants. Just route the water into that tank and back again. Water flow can be a fast drip. The nice thing about a separate tank for plants is that you can keep light on or off separately from the fish tank lighting. You don't need to clean the plant tank because no fish poop gets in there.
Very similar to a refugium in a sump. Great option if you have the space available for it. Thanks for sharing that tip.
That’s easy with fresh water to keep nitrates down. Saltwater is more difficult because plants are harder to find that actually reduce nitrates. There is sea lettuce, macro algae mermaids fan. But it’s hard to find those in bulk. That’s one nice thing about fresh water is plants help a lot with nitrates. Salt you need a lot of filtration and media
@011011 I tried mangroves, but my trigger fish would eat em, I didn’t have a sump on that aquarium at the time so that wasn’t a option either.
@011011 yes sir
Any pictures of the set up? Mainly how to direct water from fish tank to the separate plant tank and back.
Best video yet love the character change. 😂 I got 3 African cichlids now because of you 💪🏾💯 I appreciate you Kev !
Thank you sir! I appreciate that! You are the first to mention the character, lol
I've changed over to Matrix in all my filters. I also have Tidal HOB filters in addition to my canisters. I've learned so much from your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make and them with us.
My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁
First of all, thank you for your service Kev. Love the channel and content. I'm switching from potscrubbers slowly to matrix in my FX6. I will forever use Seachem and Fluval products. Best in the business. Happy New Year! LET'S GO!!!
Thank you bro! 😁💪
Hmmm...Very impressive! I was on the fence with this product because of the biomedical that comes with the Aquaclear filter..maybe this will be better..Thank you for the time you put in to show how this works!
Glad it was helpful! 😁
I knew it would work! I also did the test on my 200L tank, using 3 Liters of Sera Siporax and after a few months, the nitrates went down from about 30 to 5mg/L with a weekly 15% water change. I did a little video on my channel showing how I’ve set up my canister filter and the mechanical filtration I use. Cheap and very efficient! Love your vids bro 🤜🤛
Thanks bro, always good to run your own tests and get results too! Appreciate you joing the membership bro! Welcome! 😁
@@KaveManAquatics Thanks bro, keep it up! 👍 😁🤜🤛
I've been waiting so long for this video!!! Thank you. I was going to ask why you haven't posted the matrix update in a while. Makes sense why now.. THANK you
Great timing then huh, lol 😁
@KaveManAquatics Hey Kev can you explain the difference between Purigen and Matrix? Not sure if I should continue with sponge/biomedia/ Purigen pillow in my hob's or ditch that and run sponge/biomedia/floss in my hob and run Matrix in a reactor. Thanks for your advice! Love your channel it's like going to Church for me 😎
That's pretty good stuff. You're the first person I've ever seen get results like that from matrix or any other bio media like the expensive one from across the pond. The result is impressive. Look into anoxic filtration. I use it on all my tanks. I have a 110 gallon with 45 adult cichlids in it. Way over stocked. All my filters are filled with nothing but sponge for biomedia plus I'm using anoxic filtration on top of that. No ceramic or anything like that of any kind just sponge. I do weekly water changes the same as you 80%. This tank is under 30 ppm nitrate using anoxic filtration. It also reduces phosphates.
What kind of Anoxic?
Dr Novak's BCB bags and baskets? Baked clay kitty litter and Iron...
These types of media are also apparently Anoxic.
Low oxygen bacteria that take oxygen from the wastes like nitrates.. And convert them back to harmless gas.. Nitrogen, etc.
@@bubblerings they say they are. I've only seen one video of anyone saying they had reduced nitrate after using matrix or biohome. There are many reviews of both.
I wish I seen this video earlier. But having seen it, I went out and got me some Matrix. I filled up a whole top tray of my 407 and lets see what it can do 😁 Thanks for that video!
My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁
@@KaveManAquatics Very much so!
I hadn’t understood the point of Seachem Matrix until now - great explanation. Okay I’m going to get some Matrix to add in at my next quarterly FX-6 servicing clean!
Sounds worthwhile!
Glad you found the video helpful!! 😊
Keep up the great content Kev!…on your way to 200k! 👍🏻
Thank you my bro! Will do! 😊💪
Man your sooo good at explaining love your vids I also use seacam matrix
Thank you bro! Glad you like them! 😊💪
Oh man, I would LOVE one of those AquaSpin Photometers. No more kits, dye, tubes, spilling....its awesome! I cant afford 2K, so I guess it is the AP Master Kit for me for quite a while.
Would be great if we could all have one...but yea, its wayyy to expensive!
I have a species only 180 gallon tank of Frontosas & I’ve only added the Purigen in my FX6 since you did your video talking about it and my nitrate levels dropped even without the Matrix! So I’m definitely going to try it now..
That’s very interesting! Happy to hear that!! 😊💪
Hi Kev, love all your videos! You have really helped me get started in this hobby, thank you! One unrelated question: I just picked up a 125 gallon tank (72"x18.5"x23.75") and two FX6 filters. Can you explain how I should position my intake and return hoses? I was thinking both intakes on the same side and both returns on the same side of the tank. What do you think? Might be a good topic for a video! Thanks!
I have biohome ultimate in my tanks and its a constant battle with GHA :(
I added 2L Matrix to my 92G planted fancy goldfish aquarium 5 months ago. I have 5 1 year old goldfish in it and my nitrate level is about 13ppm after a week. I'm excited to see if it reaches further down.
Very Nice!! 😊💪
Where did you get that rock deco for your tanks? Can you use matrix in a hanging filter. It looks red to us.
I appreciate all the effort put into this experiment but unless you are weighing the specific amount of food (and using identical food throughout the duration of the 8 months so there is something to compare it to) that is being put into the system every day and keeping it repeatable it really doesn't mean much. Every test I have seen and done does not allow for anaerobic bacteria to survive in a fishtank environment. I'd love to see a truly scientific large scale paper from one of the manufactures but they simply will not publish anything. Again good content and I appreciate you trying and generally succeeding at helping people in the hobby but unfortunately I think that oversight ruined the validity of the test.
Agree
I feed the same 3 things in the same amounts on a scheduled rotation. So theres that. Besides that. The minuscule difference a portion of food may or may not have is not going to alter an overstocked 210 gallon tanks nitrate levels from nearly 160PPM the day before a water change, to 40. Not going to happen.
Furthermore, before having the Matrix, feeding in the same way I've always fed. My nitrates never budged. Never altered. Never were any higher or lower than usual. Like I said in the video, the only variable in 4 months was the addition of Matrix.
It works, the test here is very good, the type of food is irrelevant and its effect on the results would be negligible, it's not expensive if you doubt it try it. I have been using it before I saw this video, and the test here is spot on with the same results I have seen myself.
@@KaveManAquaticsshe can matrix does actually work really well. All it does is convert nitrogen into nitrogen lol
@@KaveManAquatics haha getting started in this hobby, and I can’t believe there’s so much hate being spread out.. thank you for all the valuable information.
one of the best videos I have ever watched . Straight up YEP IT WORKS, PEACE!
Hey Kaveman! Just recently found your channel and love your content:) I have a 55 gallon mbuna tank (18 mbuna and wanting to add a few more). I currently have an old Eheim 2217 that I use with ceramic rings and matrix. My nitrates are consistently high…in the 80-160 range. I was thinking of adding a Fluval FX4 to try to help with the nitrates, but after watching this video I’m wondering if it’s even necessary! About two weeks ago I added some pothos plants to the top of my aquarium sandwiched between lid halves. No noticeable change in nitrates yet, but I’ll remain hopeful for now. Next week I plan to open up the filter and add purigen. I will add more matrix and remove the ceramic rings. Fingers crossed.
I have also heard that sand filters can help with nitrate reduction. Have you ever tried that? I purchased one, but got frustrated with it when I tried to connect it with the canister filter. I may try it again but just have it as a stand alone filter.
Texas Well water treatment
I have a question about my (well water) and this community seems educated.
A local water treatment company wants to sale me a clack WS1 valve 48k grain water softener single tank(single vs 2 tank water softener what's the difference?) (Not sure if this is big enough may need to go with 64k), Nitrate filter tank( do I need this), whole house water settlement filter for $3,300 includes labor and fittings, what do you think about price and size of water softener. Never had one before.
Water is: hardness 35 GPG, Nitrate 10 ppm(is it safe to shower in and brush your teeth with), Nitrite 0ppm, Alkalinity 220ppm, iron 0ppm, copper .03ppm, chlorine 0ppm, PH 7.8ppm-8.5ppm(depending on the test), TDS 894ppm (their test), pesticides no, Lead no.
I use primo for drinking water so don't need RO system.
2 bathrooms with (one 60 gallon garden tub, 2 showers) with 2 maybe 3 people(full time at home) with guests once a month. At 100 gallons a day per full time person. What water softener grain capacity should I have.
35x200x7 days=49,000 grain
35x300x7 days=73,500 grain
2 person @100 gallons @35 GPG hardness=200x35=7,000 grains a dayx7 day region=49k grain but with 48k grain it will be 6.8571428571 days region
May have 3 people @100 gallon at 35 gpg hardness=73.5K grains, 7 day region.
But with 48k grain it will region 300x35=10,500 grain a day, 48K÷10,500= 4.5714285714 days before region.
6.8571428571-4.5714285714=2.2857142857 days less before region
30÷4.5714285714=6.5625x it will region
Vs
30÷6.8571428571=4.375x it will region
So it will do 2.1875 more regions a month
Nice work Kev. Just goes to show with the right product & some patience we can improve our aquariums 😎
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Mike and Chris are both from MANHATTAN AQUARIUM 😎
You have to be more specific bro...
Mike & Chris at the Aquarium store you visited in this video 🤔
I use Seachem matrix in all 16 of my canister filters and in my 1 sump, it’s the best media on the market in my opinion 👍
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing that with us! 😊💪
16? Jeez dude. I hope you profit off of the hobby with that many tanks
@@masterdingus7074 yes I have a small fish breeding setup, 60 tanks all up
@@johnmaude5065 nice dude. I have a 125 with oscars and a dempsey. I hope one day i'll be able to make money back off this hobby.
@@masterdingus7074 I’m certainly not going to retire from it, but it pays for food and equipment ect
I have a question, which may set something off: has anyone tried adding aquarium water, some food waste, stability and pristine to a bucket of Matrix and leaving it set for a month or so to propagate anaerobic bacteria, before putting it into your filters? -Just a thought...
Hmmm...interesting! You may be onto something here...
Bravo Kev! You are the Neo of the aquarium matrix! 😁 Thanks for always getting to the point and keeping it real for the average joes!
lol, my pleasure! Neo's super cool! 😁
Oh hell yeah !!! I put Matrix in both of my FX6's last month, this is great news 😁🤙 That was fast too, I didn't expect the anaerobic bacteria to start getting established so soon. Good Job Jarhead 😉👌
Thank you sir! Glad you enjoyed it! Give it another few months and you'll start to see results as well! 😊💪
Correction: I put Matrix in both of my FX6's in July...woot !!! I have already been seeing dramatic results from the Pothos & Anubias I planted last June (with the Poth-O-Carry). My 27 Juvenile Tanganyikan (carnivore) are growing but still not close to your Malawi's size but I'm confident now I'm not going to have to do 80% water changes when they get big which you know I hate. 25% to 40% is my preferred amount. Again great news Kev, you made my day !!!
@@KaveManAquatics Another big sloppy Army kiss for you Jarhead😘
🤣🤣 You army guys man...gotta love'm!
I've always used matrix for years I love it I just filled my fx4 with biohome two days ago first time using it ....bit pricey but I figured I try something different....well see how it goes
Which is better according to you? Biohome or seachem
@@gulag8040 honestly when the time comes to setting up a new filter I'm gonna be going back to seachem matrix.....not to say the biohome is bad as of now iam leaning towards matrix I been fish keeping for over 20years I know my parameters my tanks my routine I just have a general feel and I'd say not only does seachem seem slightly better the price is way lower ......hope this helps have a good one
@@johnjrkean7008 thanks for the information
When I open my aquarium shop, I'm definitely getting one of those digital water testers.
Just a warning, but that thing aint cheap 😁
@@KaveManAquatics I saw, but I think it'll be worth it.
If you decide to go for it, I'd appreciate if you used my affiliate link 😊
- amzn.to/3AON8UY
- kaveman-aquatics.myshopify.com/products/lamotte-3581-mobile-waterlink-spin-touch-lab
Time to buy me some more Matrix 😅
Good stuff Kevin !
Thank you my bro! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊💪
I need to buy some for my Oase BioMaster 350. Didn’t know it takes months to build beneficial bacteria
Is seachem matrix worthy getting to replace the lava rock that I'm using?
Thank you for the info on 40 ppm water change requirement. You go by with nitrate
I was wondering if it’s at all possible and will it work if one was to use seachem matrix as substrate?
Wow, never thought of that. I guess it’s kinda similar to gravel substrate. I think it will definitely grow anaerobic bacteria. Question is, will your fish enjoy that as their substrate…
i dont know or how your seeing orange kev but to me at the 7:50 i see red maybe its just whatever you used to record but i definately see red
Love your videos, just one question. How come your Aquarium is so clean from algea despite the high nitrates? I have a big problem in my tank with algea despite having a low amount of nitrates.
Algae can grow for other reasons besides having high nitrates. Lights and phosphates contributes as well. I also have a pleco that helps to eat the algae when it grows.
My book on getting crystal clear water can definitely help! 😁 It's short, to the point, and covers all the causes and solutions for cloudy and green water from algae growth. Comes in eBook and Paperback. I promise You won't be disappointed! Check it out here - bit.ly/clearH2O
Hey Kave....why don't you get this gadget to check results?
I know everything you say is true. There are also some glass media that also provide good anaerobic growth as well. One thought on your nitrates if you take a HOB filter, put no media in it, but grow plants in it, the nitrate loving plants should help remove nitrates as well.
Thanks for the knowledge. You are making me see just how many mistakes that I am making and how much unnecessary money that I am spending. I currently have a 75 gallon with a Tidal 110, SunSun 304B, Fuval 407 and a Hygger double sponge filter. I presently only have matrix in the double sponge filter. Where do you suggest I put the Matrix for the best results?
Add matrix to both canisters. The HOB is optional. You only have to do it once and never again. Keep it clean and dont let it glog by always have a fine mechanical pad before the bio media. 😊
Using Matrix even in my 78l community tank, with asian little cyprinids and neos. It’s the best biomedia available with neomedia from aquario, but Matrix is durable so it’s a +. Green Aqua is a great user of it. I did put 1l of Matrix in my e402 even though it’s a lot, and might be overkill, I will put 4l in my new biomaster filter even if it’s for raw 78l tank.
Ey this is a really good video long time ago I bought seachem matrix and 6 months later my nitrates were almost at 10ppm for a 450liters tanks without plants, so will be nice if you can do an update like 3mobths later when the bacteria colony is full, big fan nice video :)
Im sure I will! With another few months Im sure my nitrates will get even lower! 😊 Glad you enjoyed the video!
Excellent info!
I saw it. I saw it. Right at 4:55 you can see where someone snuck up behind him and swapped the tubes
🤣🤣
Yoo i needed this!!!! Buying it asap
Glad I could help!
@@KaveManAquatics hey, i totally forgot to wash my matrix i put in. Someone recommended me doing a 99% water change?? What would u recommend? 80% ? 50%? Not that serious?
Is the water tester available for purchase?
Yes it is, but its not cheap lol It's linked in the videos description, or you can find it in my shop - koji.to/kaveman_aquatics
Love the vids kaveman thanks to you I started the hobby I only use seachem products
I got 2 tanks now a 10 gallon and a 55 gallon
I’m getting mts already
My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁 Welcome to MTS lol
im not sure why people keep using matrix and matrix pond to remove nitrate yes it can hold some of the bacteria to remove nitrate but its not the main selling point of that doesnt seachem have denitrate or brightwell with nitratz to do that better ? it would be nice if people doing testing on those instead but thanks for the testing
It works better the lower flow you have. My tank's been on 3 and 1/2 years with no water changes and nitrates are still at 35 PPM which is a little bit high but considering it hasn't gone up and there are no plants, I'm pretty impressed
Do you use Prime, Carbon, Purigen, what filter do you keep it in?
@@KaveManAquatics I use a regular hygger sponge filter with Seachem matrix in it. I also have the larger Seachem pond matrix (live rock) that is designed specifically for more anaerobic space, which I glued to make a aquascape thing.
I started to see little nitrogen bubbles coming up from the live rocks after about 8-10 months, but I suspect it was actually working before that and just dissolving in the water.
Seachem pond matrix is designed for higher flow environments but is more suitable for things like a sump or HOB due to the size of the rocks. Works great though if you just toss them in. There's a great video on anaerobic filtration, basically if you get a really big sponge and turn the flow down really really low, the first part of the filter will grow bacteria that eats up oxygen until there's none left and then after that it's anaerobic. The flow has to be extremely low and it's delicate to balance. Matrix and pond matrix basically forces the water to slow down enough that all of the bacteria is able to eat up the oxygen in the outside parts before it gets to the inside. Matrix itself still prefers medium to low flow but you can get away with high flow in pond matrix because it has much more volume for the unit of surface area.
It definitely is able to remove nitrates, but it does take a while for it to start working.
Funny enough, you can actually kind of do the same with fluval product as well if you get the flow really low and also wait a couple years. Eventually all of the pores kind of plug up with growth and bacteria and the flow decreases enough. It doesn't work as well though.
@@KaveManAquatics it's just a sponge filter and seachem matrix. Actually I lied, I did a single 10%ish water change last year when I used a hose and my finger to suck up some snails into a bucket 😂😂😂
Excellent! Thanks for sharing your feedback on the success you've had with Matrix! 😁💪
Hey Kev Seachem Matrix works! I also use matrix in all 6 of my tanks. My water starts with no nitrates only do 30% monthly or bi weekly water changes with a zero reading of nitrates for over a year . When used it in my sump for my 75g reef tank. it keeps a steady 13.9ppm reading of nitrate with bi weekly water changes and never seems to go higher is I skip or miss a water change
Nice! Thanks for sharing your results with all of us! Glad to hear the Matrix is working well for you!!
Hey Kev I have 5 to 10 parts of nitrate in my 150 gallon hap tank my tank is heavily stocked I have 2 Eheim classic XL 1500 filters and do 3 small multi water changes a week and in my filters I have the no name Chinese bio rings the main key to low nitrates is over filter and adequate water changes that's my 2 cents on it love your vids keep up the good work
you might help Snake River Cichlids I ask them what ph thay have cichlids in just so i wood match or get close but thay told me wont help me dont know why but did say you might but not every store keeps them at 7.8 to 8.2 so can you help dont know why thay dont.
You must have spoken to someone that has bad information. As beautiful as their fish are Im sure they're keeping them in the right PH
@@KaveManAquatics
We do not give advice on water parameters or tank stocking. Check out Kaveman Aquatics, he is a great resource!
Thanks
This is what thay sent me. Not evey one keeps them at same ph this I know from store to store
hanks for talking to me
thank you. i was thinking if i should go for biohome or seachem matrix... but i will go for matrix after i wathced this video.
Glad I could help! 😊💪
Where can I buy the aquaspin?
Link in the videos description 😊
Really great information. One question whats the name of that unit that the store used to test the water. I must have one. Thanks alot kev. Peace
Its called LaMotte 3581 Mobile WaterLink Spin Touch Lab. But, it aint cheap bro! FInd it in my shop here - kaveman-aquatics.myshopify.com/products/lamotte-3581-mobile-waterlink-spin-touch-lab
@@KaveManAquatics thanks kev. Yeah i figured it ain't cheap that's ok. I have another question. I bought a bucket of that matrix obviously i have bio media already in my filters. What's you're opinion for the best way to integrate it in my filtration to eventually switch it out with the established media in there so as not to put my fish in danger. Even though I've been keeping fish in like forever i really value you're knowledge. Thanks bro for you're time.
P.S. KEV I figured it would be about 2,000 so a little over a grand not to bad. Do you have one?
How much matrix do you use in your tanks
The 210 has about 2 gallons of Matrix. The 150 has 1 gallon. I simply fill the filtration I currently have on the tank with matrix.
Awesome! Any updates 3 months later? Is Nitrate reduction decreasing with potential clogging of the small Matrix pores?
I haven’t seen much decrease since this video. It’s pretty much been the same. I think I’ve hit my max for nitrate reduction for the amount of media being used. If I could add more it may improve but haven’t had the time to try that yet.
@@KaveManAquatics Wow! Awesome! Good to hear :) Thanks for taking the time to reply to my comment!!
I’ve always used ceramic rings for growing anaerobic bacteria. Do you feel there is an advantage to using matrix over some regular ceramic rings?
Really!? Thats a first I've ever heard. How do you know the rings are growing anaerobic bacteria?
@@KaveManAquatics well that’s just the thing. I don’t! I’ve been told that they can grow deep within the “pores” of the rings, similar to how I understand the matrix to work. So maybe my question really was, if you believe the matrix can allow these bacteria to grow, why wouldnt they on the ceramic material?
My Bio Filter is Matrix and its running for 2 years ^_^ with no problem in a saltwater tank .
Nice!! 😁💪
Nice! Thank you for your effort, I'm gonna consider to get one for my axolotl since his tank always have high nitrates
Hey KaveMan, do I need to shake the 1st solution of the Nitrate tester for 30sec too? The manual said to shake the 2nd solution only.
You dont have to, but I shake them both because it cant hurt, lol
@@KaveManAquatics ok thanks, wanted to know if I was doing something wrong. Anyhow, great informative video. Thanks
Why you dont youse digital ec tester
Can you use seachem matrix in saltwater tanks
Second 9:29 ..... When camera hates you.... lol. j/k I do believe you anyway.
I have been watching your videos for help on keeping my African Cichlids. Thanks for your videos!!
My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁
I've only used matrix so I have nothing to compare... but it would be great to have a LFS anywhere near my area
Great news brother kev
A few weeks behind you
Hopefully will have similar results in coming weeks. Nice work great video 😎🍀👍🏼🍻
Thank you my bro! Glad you enjoyed it. Looking forward to your results as well. In a few more months I expect to get even lower nitrate levels 😊
@@KaveManAquatics hope so too
I'll keep you posted. The more proof the better. Enjoy ur weekend brother 🍻
Totally agree! Cheers my bro! 🍻