If you want to reduce nitrates in your aquarium, then two of the most popular filer medias you can get are the Biohome Ultimate Filter Media and Seachem Matrix Filter Media. So, which of these products is better?
You can find out in this comparison guide.
Quick Summary
When compared to the Biohome Ultimate, the Seachem Matrix is smaller in size, making it easier to fit if you have limited space. The Matrix is also more affordable than the competition.
On the other hand, Biohome Ultimate does come with trace elements that should help the beneficial bacteria grow faster on this product than the Seachem Matrix.
Overall, both of these medias are very good at removing ammonia, nitrites and nitrates from your fish tank.
If you don’t have a lot of space, then we recommend getting the Seachem Matrix. If you want to reduce nitrates as fast as possible, then the Biohome Ultimate should provide speedier results.
Biohome Ultimate vs. Seachem Matrix Comparison Chart
| Biohome Ultimate | Seachem Matrix | |
|---|---|---|
| Pellet Size | Approximately 1.5” length x 0.5” width | Approximately 0.4” diameter |
| Media Shape | Pellet | Pebble |
| Packaging Sizes | 1 lb. 2 lbs. 5 lbs. | 50 mL 100 mL 250 mL 500 mL 1 L 2 L 4 L |
| Detoxification | Ammonia Nitrites Nitrates | Ammonia Nitrites Nitrates |
| Recommended Amount | 1 kg per 100 liters for a normally stocked tank 1.5 kg to 2 kg per 100 liters for a heavily stocked tank | 0.125 kg per 100 liters |
| Mechanical Filtration Requirement? | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance | Rinse mulm off with used tank water | Rinse mulm off with used tank water |
| Lifespan | Many years with proper mechanical filtration and maintenance | Many years with proper mechanical filtration and maintenance |
| Trace Elements | Titania Alumina Ferric oxide Lime Magnesia Potash Soda Phosphorus pentoxide Chromium sesquioxide Manganic oxide Zirconia Hafnia Zinc oxide Barium oxide Strontia Stannic oxide Sulphur trioxide | None |
| pH Alteration? | No | No |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Media Shape
When it comes to the shape, the Biohome Ultimate looks like big pellets while the Seachem Matrix looks like pebbles.
Media Size
When compared to the Matrix, the Ultimate is bulkier. On average, you may be able to fit three matrix pebbles for every Ultimate pellets.
So, if you only have a limited amount of space in your filter or tank, then the Seachem product should be able to maximize the spacing.
You can find the approixate media sizes for both products below:
- Biohome Ultimate: 1.5” length x 0.5” width
- Seachem Matrix: 0.4” diameter
Packaging Size Options
You can take a look at the available package size options for both products below:
Biohome Ultimate:
- 1 lb.
- 2 lbs.
- 5 lbs.
Seachem Matrix:
- 50 mL
- 100 mL
- 250 mL
- 500 mL
- 1 L
- 2 L
- 4 L
Detoxification
The Biohome Ultimate and Seachem Matrix provide large amounts of surface areas due to the porous structures. Nitrifying aerobic bacteria, which will consume ammonia and nitrites, will grow of these surfaces.
The Ultimate and Matrix also features microscopic chambers that are devoid of any oxygen, which will allow for de-nitrifying anaerobic bacteria to grow. This type of species will consume nitrates.
Recommended Amount
When it comes to how many of the media you should use on your tank, Biohome recommends using 1 kg of Ultimate for every 100 liters if you have a lightly stocked tank. For a medium or heavily stocked tank you can add 1.5 kg to 2 kg for every 100 liters.
With the Matrix, Seachem recommends adding around 125 mL for every 100 liters, which converts to approximately 0.125 kg per 100 liters.
Mechanical Filtration Requirement
For both of these products to work efficiently, you must make sure that you have good enough mechanical filtration. Otherwise, the mulm buildup will clog the pores of these medias, which will eventually starve the beneficial bacteria.
For mechanical filtration, we recommend getting a sponge prefilter to keep a vast majority of the mulm from getting into your filter. We also recommend placing the filter pads in the chamber before the Matrix or Ultimate to prevent any mulm from reaching your biological media.
Maintenance
In terms of maintenance, you need to occasionally rinse off any mulm that may have accumulated on these medias. We recommend using used tank water so that you don’t kill off the beneficial bacteria living on the Matrix or Ultimate.
Lifespan
As long as you have proper mechanical filtration, as well as occasionally rinse off these medias, both of these products should last for many, many years.
Trace Elements
The Biohome Ultimate is the only product to come with trace elements as it is infused with the following:
- Titania
- Alumina
- Ferric oxide
- Lime
- Magnesia
- Potash
- Soda
- Phosphorus pentoxide
- Chromium sesquioxide
- Manganic oxide
- Zirconia
- Hafnia
- Zinc oxide
- Barium oxide
- Strontia
- Stannic oxide
- Sulphur trioxide
These elements will help speed up to the process of the beneficial bacteria growing in your tank. Since the Matrix doesn’t have any elements, it should take longer for the Seachem product to become effective.
pH Alteration
As the Seachem Matrix is inert, it should not alter the pH of aquarium.
While the Biohome Ultimate does have trace elements, these shouldn’t change the pH of your tank.
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