Matrix Bio Media

[aquanaut]

While cleaning out my filter media canister I saw that the Matrix Bio Media was purple, what does that mean. This is my first time using Matrix Bio Media.

[EliteEagleX]

Purple? hm.. either that could be the sign of bacterial growth or it's exhausted... I've never used Matrix Bio before.. However I'm pretty sure it would be narrowed down to those to and since I don't think Matrix Bio can be exhausted (hince it's just a surface for growing bacteria) it's most likely just the bacteria

[Tech Support CH]

Matrix has a normal color that has a slight purple tint, but there is no reason that Matrix should turn purple. Unless you are adding a medication, food or additive that contains a purple dye I'm not sure what could have caused it. Matrix is a bio media, meaning that it provides a home for bacteria. It does not contain any color changing resins or any thing similar. It does not indicate exhaustion by a change in color.

[aquanaut]

I haven't used any meds with dye, but I had a high phosphate content not long ago. I'll send a picture of it when I rinse my media basket. Hey, I like using Seachem products, but I got to say I have a difficult time getting some of your "none everyday" products. I usually pre order my paraguard and other items and I live in a fairly large city. Do retailers have a hard time getting products. If I design an aggressive campaign for local LFS's to carry your products can I get a discount? From what I've read on your products they are compatible with all types of aquarium setups(FW fish, marine, reefs, inverts, planted etc...). Maybe retailers are not reading your product lines. Seems to me that overall carrying your products saves space, saves money, and provides the customer with a broad range of products for all their aquarium needs, sometimes in one product.

[EliteEagleX]

LoL that's exactly what I said to my Manager at Petco (Earnest) since we carry all different brands including the horrible *Tetra* brand, And I gotta say I love marineland but come on, Bio-safe AND Bio-Coat to truely protect you're fish? Each product 7$? And that dosen't even detoxify nitrites lol, Prime is what made me notice Seachem and I recommend them to everyone who I talk to in the fish department when I'm saleing fish, it's just a shame though all we carry of Seachem is as follows.... Neutral Regular 7.0, Prime, Ammonia Alert....and wow, that's all... Petsmart has Clarity, Stability, Neutral Regulator 7.0, Purigen, and Matrix Carbon :-\ However for my Seachem needs I goto the local fish store Fish Store N More.. they have EVERY SINGLE Seachem product all in one big aile (^_^) ONLY PLACE that I can find Paraguard here in Atlanta

[Bigfish939]

Does Matrix Bio Media ever need to be replaced? I find that when I vigorously rub the smaller Matrix pieces between my wet fingers, it leaves a gritty residue. In a filter, does the water flow eventually wear out the Matrix over time?

I'm a first time user of Matrix and prior to putting it in my filter, I rinsed it first. Quite a lot of loose, sandy sediment came out. Did I do the right thing? Also, the Matrix pieces range in size from 1/4" to slightly over 1 inch. Is this normal? I found that the very small pieces would just fall through the holes in my Rena XP3 media basket.

Thanks.

[Tech Support CH]

EliteEagleX-
Thank you for all the good words. You will find a better selection at stores that are on our Select Dealer list, especially stores like Fish Store N More.

[Tech Support CH]

Bigfish939-
Generally speaking it is good to replace a small portion of Matrix every year. The pores can get clogged up by debris in the aquarium. Sometimes rubbing it against itself will be enough to reopen the pores. Usually the filters don't cause the Matrix to tumble and therefore it does not wear away. It is normal for the particle size to vary a bit. You can enclose it in a bag if this is a problem.