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What filter media should you use with the Seachem Tidal 35?

With the Seachem Tidal 35, you will get a blue filter foam along with Seachem Matrix when it comes to filter media. If you want to further customize your hang-on-back power filter, then you can take a look at this guide at Aquarium Blueprints.

Seachem Tidal 35 Mechanical Filtration

As we stated above, the Tidal 35 already comes with a blue filter foam that will trap most of the free-floating debris from the water column.

In order to keep your filter from getting clogged, we recommend that you perform maintenance on the foam during a water change. In order to do so, you simply rinse off the debris from the foam, preferably using the water you plan on removing from your aquarium.

Eventually, the foam will break down or become so dirty to a point that it will be hard to rinse off the trapped debris. In this case, we recommend that you replace the foam.

If you want better mechanical filtration, then you can replace the blue foam with the white polishing pad, which does a better job at trapping smaller-sized free-floating debris. With that said, the polishing pad is a lot harder to clean and will need to be replaced more often when compared to the standard foam.

If you are interested, you can purchase either of these products on Amazon with the following links:

Seachem Tidal 35 Biological Filtration

When it comes to biological filtration, the aforementioned Seachem Matrix is one of the better ones available.

The porous structure of its resin provides plenty of surface area to grow beneficial bacteria colonies that will keep ammonia and nitrites at safe levels. There are also microscopic chambers that have low oxygen levels, which makes these areas suitable for the beneficial bacteria colonies that consume nitrates.

Seachem Matrix will get clogged eventually. To see how you can properly maintain its resins, you can take a look at this maintenance tutorial. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about having to replace Matrix in your Seachem Tidal 35 with proper maintenance.

If you are looking to add more Matrix to your Tidal 35, then you can purchase a container on Amazon with this link. (#CommissionsEarned)

Seachem Tidal 35 Chemical Filtration

The Seachem Tidal 35 hang-on-back power filter does not come with any chemical filtration included right out of the box. Therefore, you will need to add your own.

If your tank does not feature crystal clear water, then you may want to add activated carbon in your filter. This filter media type is also helpful when it comes to removing medication and odor from your aquarium.

If you are having problems trying to keep your ammonia levels in check, then you might want to use zeolite as well. This product will bind ammonia to keep it from harming to your fish and other aquatic pets. It will also help bind heavy metals.

Both of these types will be exhausted over some time. Therefore, you need to replace them occasionally to keep the chemical filtration effective.

If you are interested, you can purchase the chemical filter media types on Amazon with the following links: