Seachem Matrix

[Maxta]

Sorry the tub has no instructions. Quick question.

Do i rinse the bits under tap water before i add them to my filter?

And is it okay to completely remove all the carbon and zeolite pieces from my filter and dispose of them?

Thanks

 

[tmack]

Definitely rinse the Matrix thoroughly. It will be a bit dusty and you don't need the fine dust floating in the tank for a while. Tank water would be best if it's an option, to try to innoculate the Matrix with some bacteria, but tap water is OK. It sounds like your filter is an established one so don't rinse any old bio media with the tap water or you may kill off the bacteria on it.

On the carbon & zeolyte I would remove it. If you are trying to remove medications with the carbon, put fresh carbon in. If you're trying to remove ammonia replace the zeolyte. Both carbon and zeolyte are typically only efficient for a week or two. If you're fishless cycling the tank I wouldn't even use the zeolyte as you don't want the ammonia removed.

 

[Maxta]

Right i completely replaced one of my two cartridges with the matrix. And since my ammonia levels have seemed to stay constant at just under 1. Im waiting for it to go down before i add ammonia.

Is it possible that doing so may have stalled/slowed my cycle down and that i need for my bacteria to build up again? *Sigh*

 

[tmack]

Right i completely replaced one of my two cartridges with the matrix. And since my ammonia levels have seemed to stay constant at just under 1. Im waiting for it to go down before i add ammonia.

Is it possible that doing so may have stalled/slowed my cycle down and that i need for my bacteria to build up again? *Sigh*

It's possible that replacing some of your bio media with fresh media could slow the cycle down till the media gets loaded up with bacteria. Keep an eye on the readings. It sounds like you're fishless cycling so I'm not sure I'd stop the ammonia adds just yet. What are your nitrite & nitrate readings?

 

[Maxta]

Nitrite around 2 and nitrate probably around ~7 the last time i checked 2 days ago.

 

[tmack]

Nitrite around 2 and nitrate probably around ~7 the last time i checked 2 days ago.

Then I would think you should not let the ammonia get to zero till your nitrates go down to zero or close to it. I haven't done fishless cycling yet so maybe those who have can comment.

 

[Maxta]

I put more ammonia in earlier and repositioned my filter to where it was primarily. Also swapped the cartridges round as i heard one may get more exposure than the other. Hopefully by tonight some of the ammonia has gone down. If not, gah!!!!