Seachem Matrix vs Kent Marine Nitrogen Sponge

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Question:   Is Kent Marine Nitrogen Sponge similar to Seachem Matrix ?

Is there anything that you could use instead of Matrix that does the same thing and is cheaper !

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4140+4914&pcatid=4914

[four_by_ken]

If you want to be cheap... crush up lava rock.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

From a strictly mechanical side that should work !   Have you done this ? 

[linuxrulesusa]

What do you want it for?  Just for biomedia, I'd look into basic ceramic media e.g. that sold for an Aquaclear filter or a canister filter - you can get decent sized bags of it.  You can also look into nylon pot scrubbies and various kinds of sponges.

If you're trying to do some kind of anaerobic bacteria to reduce nitrates, then you may have to actually pay for the matrix.  E.g. this: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvoices.yahoo.com%2Fnitrate-reduction-techniques-successful-saltwater-10968972.html&ei=IcqLUoncEc-QyQHYwIFw&usg=AFQjCNFpe2d7tt15NWz9d1zJ-CxYdyVOhw&sig2=X-ZRFGyv_mJEiUNIBexdng&bvm=bv.56643336,d.aWc  where you use a deep sand bed/sealed container with Matrix to try to produce anaerobic conditions and stretch out the time between water changes, for example.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Yes for some kind of anaerobic bacteria to reduce nitrates ! 

I currently am using Matrix in all my filters, but it is not cheap...

I just got an FX5 and was planning on just putting matrix in all the levels....

[four_by_ken]

Nope, never did the lava rock thing.  Just bought the stuff I needed.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Nope, never did the lava rock thing.  Just bought the stuff I needed.

WTF - you give out "blind"advice !



 

[four_by_ken]

Nope, never did the lava rock thing.  Just bought the stuff I needed.

WTF - you give out "blind"advice !

 

Its the same principle.  It will work.  Not rocket science.  I just had no desire to do it.  I'm lazy... just bought the bio media and was done with it.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Nope, never did the lava rock thing.  Just bought the stuff I needed.

OH I forgot - WTF  "SIR" - you give out "blind"advice !

LMAO !

[greg y]

http://www.bigalspets.com/matrix-bio-media-4-l.html?utm_source=Shopping&utm_campaign=Shopping+Datafeed&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping&

[danielratti]

Cheapest way to remove no3 is water changes. Easy and cheap.

[greg y]

If you buy the Matrix in bulk it's not so bad, pond matrix is a couple bucks less usually

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Back on my original post, has anyone used Kent Marine Nitrogen sponge, from reading it looks like once the sponge is saturated you need to replace it.  With Matrix you just rinse and it keeps working...