Matten Filter vs Sponge Filter: Fish Tank Filter Showdown!
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- čas přidán 26. 04. 2019
- Hello Everyone,
In this video we compare matte filters with sponge filters. If you are interested in other filter comparison videos definitely check these out!
Sponge FIlter vs Hang on Back Filter: • Fish Tank Filter Showd...
Hang on Back Filter vs Canister Filter: • Fish Tank Filter Showd...
Sponge FIlter vs Under Gravel Filter: • Fish Tank Filter Showd...
How we clean sponge filters: • How to Clean Sponge Fi...
Rick Borstein Fish Room Tour (Corner Matten Filters): • Full Fish Room Tour - ...
Check out Flip Aquatics for matten filters! flipaquatics.com/
If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff, exclusive videos and support the channel consider becoming a member! / @primetimeaquatics
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Thanks for watching!
Looking for more information on fish tank filtration? Check out these videos!
Sponge FIlter vs Hang on Back Filter: czcams.com/video/TN_eagzIEyY/video.html
Hang on Back Filter vs Canister Filter: czcams.com/video/j36LGWY3j9A/video.html
Sponge FIlter vs Under Gravel Filter: czcams.com/video/M2z_AVRxPm4/video.html
How we clean sponge filters: czcams.com/video/jp49hdba0eY/video.html
Check out Flip Aquatics if you are looking at Matten or Sponge Filters! flipaquatics.com/
How does prime time aquatics only have 30K subs??? The videos are so high quality and informative.
Thank you so much! Appreciate you being here. : -)
I think that the sad truth is that people in general are not looking to be educated. Things like entertainment, personality/celebrity adulation and group identity, all come before education, especially in the less mature demographics.
It's the difference between a personality driven site and an informational one. I'll take the latter every time.
Because I just heard about them :) Now I have to go look at the videos
@Ms Grumps So true ! I will never use anything else but poret foam in all my filters and sumps
Dude your videos are FIRE. I like how you manage to pack information densely so the video doesn't drone on forever. Keep up the good work!
Thank you !
brilliant video. Explains why the Europeans are 20 years ahead of us on filtration. US manufacturers and suppliers have instead focused on selling higher cost, more profitable solutions like canisters and HOB's. Thanks for a dramatic example of why simple is quite often much better, and why as hobbyists we need to be wary of the marketing hype around expensive alternatives.
I agree with you!
I've been raising fish since the 1960s the rule of filtration was brute force mechanical filtration, and Americans are still kind of stuck in that mindset, i remember very few people used sponge filters until the 1980s.
In those days nobody understood that you could make a natural self regulating ecosystem on such a s small scale as a home aquarium.
I don't miss those old days at all, brute force worked but so did the hobbyists... quite hard.
Never thought sponge filters were an eye sore. I like them and so do the fish.
Its official! You're in my top 4 fishy CZcamsrs! Interesting and useful info presented clearly! Love it! Ty!!
Thank you! Appreciate you being here. : -)
So cool! You learn something new everyday in this hobby. I love the idea of the Matten filter being in the corner of the tank. U can also use black film to cover the part of the tank ur Matten Filter is in instead of using black paint. Just in case u wanted to change the look of ur tank in the future its easier to remove.
I wish that I had access to your information 35 years ago when I started in the hobby. You have the best information on CZcams, and should be required viewing for all new fish keepers. I always like the opportunity to learn something new.
Thank you Darryl! Appreciate you watching.
I love my sponge filters. Always will use them. Great video as always . Thanks
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Great video mate👌
I just love bare bottom fancy goldfish tanks with sponge filter😍😀💘
Great comparison. Thanks for the info
I've seen people run these matten filters and they are so good for planted tanks especially when they are also breeding cichlids and there are so many different ways how to run them I've seen one guy that ran a tiny little pond pump just to increase flow and it worked really good
Great comparison Jason.
Thank you!
I put a corner matten filter in my 10 gallon but I cut the bottom 2 inches off so I can lift most of the filter for cleaning without disrupting the substrate. These matten filters make a great place to hide equipment like a heater. The other thing that I have done is grow mosses up the filter and it blends in with the aquascape.
This video was so informative, thanks! I just subscribed too
Appreciate you being here!
Great video,as always😎
Thank you!
Great video brother it amazes me how many types of filters are in the market
I know! So many!
Another awesome video!
Thank you!
Hello from your newest sub! Love your vids!
Thank you! Appreciate you watching!
Amazing!!! Tks!!
I did not realize matten filters were so cheap! I'm thinking of switching to those for my shrimp tanks.
In my battle with the Titans today (gold ocelatus), I only got bitten 9 times - huge improvement over last time. I think he knows who is boss now. (him)
That sounds about right. Those little teeth hurt! : -)
🤣
I might try a matten filter a corner one I have a a 13x13x18 inch aquarium that it might work perfect for! As always thanks for all the great info!
Cool!
i noticed when i went from sponge filter to matten filter the flow in the tank much stronger blowing my plants around and food during feedings. also i used a diff company and the restriction was less than a airstone, you can use a lot less of a powerfull airpump,
Very informative video. More surface area, yes.
Thank you!
That's so cool a wall of filter that's great for my Molly and guppies they love eating off the sponges
That is a good fit!
Another benefit of the Hamburg Matten filter is that they can be used as a divider to split one long tank into two separate tanks--breeding on one side and fry rearing on the other, for example.
Very true!
Where do you buy bulk filter mats/sponge so that you could cut your own matten filters?
Hi Jason, I did find this video very useful. I have developed a lot of interest in the Matten filter lately, and I want to get a little better understanding of exactly how they work and draw water through them. I will probably ask you a few more questions on them tomorrow at the swap. I will see you in the morning. Thanks for sharing 👍.
Sounds good!
Interesting thxs!
Great compare.
Thank you!
Nice information sir 😀😄
Thank you!
GREAT VIDEO 👍😎
Thank you!
This couldnt be more timely for me , i spent all day yesterday talking with my local fish store about what filter system i should use in my fish room once its finished , i'll be running around 18 4 foot tanks mainly stocked with pairs or trios of American cichlids and i think with the added benefit of the flow provided out of a mattern i think I'm leaning towards going that way my only issues is getting hold of the amount of foam i would need at the size i would need
This could be a very good option for you!
9:00 I just ziptie the cracked piece, it works well
Just installed a 6 inch corner filter from Swiss Tropicals in my 75g, everything fit perfectly, I like the look, its a great place to hide the heater and the pump for the trickle filter. a few plants in front and you won't even notice its in there.
I went with the 6 inch because of size and its not my main filtration, its just the first stage, water gets pumped from behind the Matten pad to an overhead trickle filter then an aerated sump with an overflow return to the tank.
Testing the filtration system, trickle filter and sump now, not much left to do but pump it down and start aquascaping.
Ya, those are cool because they kinda blend with everything!
big fan
Thanks 🦐
Love the info and breakdown beyond just A, B, C... you go from A through to Z.
Question- would there be additional benefit to add bio-rings behind the filter sponge?
In your experience, does the matterfilter slow down or speed up the cycling process at all?
Thanks much
Great question. I don't think bioballs are necessary - there's already so much surface area with a Matten filter. I don't think it will matter regarding the cycling process just because most filter types will supply enough surface area for microbes to begin the process sufficiently.
I saw you at the fish swap meet today
I've been using foam filters for 40 years, but Matten filters are a newer concept to me. One thing I'm wondering about. With the greater surface area of the Mattens, how much increase in real filtration do you get assuming you are using the same air pump? The water flow per area would be less with the Mattens, right? I'm just wondering where the balance point is with flow rate and area. Basically, I'm showing that I am a science geek who overthinks everything. :) Great vid and Thanks!
Great question - I guess it also depends on porosity and whether or not the pump was being used to its fullest capacity with the smaller filter?
Nice
I’m new to the hobby, and I’ve never seen one. 🙏
I like the corner Matten, using one in each back corner would increase surface area and not block the view.
I like their look too!
great vid , but man thats 1 impressive well maintained beard very slick
Why thank you! Haha
Question, am i able to use normal gravel and put plants in it or do I have to use the stuff made for plants? I adk cuz i might be getting a 55 g and the special stuff us up there in price and im cheap
You can use normal gravel. Check out this video. Should be helpful! czcams.com/video/fU8xwLNzPmc/video.html
Would a matten polish the water if you put a bottle top with filter floss over the intake and ran the return line to the other side of the aquarium for circulation using a small pump I stead of air?
Possibly with the additional flow.
what would you use for a 110 gal stock tank to keep it clean?? that's Oval shaped?
If it is heavily stocked and you care about the look I would probably go with a canister filter. If looks are not as important, and the tank is only moderately stocked, I might just use a couple large sponge filters.
A fair comparison. I would only add that with the Matten CORNER version, you have a much easier time camouflaging its presence and the sand problem is nearly eliminated. It probably gives you about 2/3rds the total bio available media area as the wall-to-wall version, so I feel it is a good compromise. Also worth mentioning is the jet=lifter air tubes (Swiss Tropicals or a DIY project at Greg Jones' site) that increase flow and do a good job of agitating the water surface.
I'd say the round sponge filters are probably best suited for commercial operations, whereas the Mattens are better for display tanks with their increased filtering area and easier ability to camouflage their presence.
Good points!
I would do sponge filters for smaller tanks and matten for big tanks
Great video. I was thinking of changing my HOB to a sponge/matten filter but I am not convinced it would remove all things that my different pads currently remove like ammo, nitrites/nitrates and so on. Sponge filters do look better than HOBs but are they as good?
They are probably better at biological filtration compared to HOB filters. However, a step behind when it comes to mechanical filtration. They're also going to take up more space in the tank, but are more reliable. : -)
How do you clean the matten filters? I just bought them and have substrate already in the tanks.
Basically the same way I clean sponge filters - once the matten filter is established (4-6 weeks) I through them in the sink and clean them with tap water. It is a little bit of a pain with substrate though.
I did a filtration like this one here. How long I leave them there before I do cleaning of the filter. I got shrimp too it’s 3 ft tank.
Gray Hatori I usually wait about four weeks.
👍 👍 👍
Although a mat filter has more surface area, does the less concentrated vacuum area filter any better from a mechanical standpoint?
You are correct - if the increased surface area is lowering flow through the entire filter the mechanical might be lower.
Where can you get big chunks of filter foam like this?
Check out Jehmco.com or foam. If you want matten filters pre-made Flipaquatics.com
Another great video! How important do you feel the uplift tube is for the sponge filter? I realize it only stands to make the filter more efficient. However I have been running my 3 sponge filters with no lift tube for a while now with no issues what so ever. I did this due to concerns of fish getting stuck in the tube even though I know this generally shouldn't be an issue. Just a better safe than sorry approach on my part as I'm not home during the day to keep an eye on things. Two of my tanks are running only sponge filters. I have noticed in a lot of Cory's videos his sponge filters don't have lift tubes. Just wondering your opinion on the matter. Thanks in advance!
It allows for greater water flow, though the filter which is probably more beneficial for mechanical filtration. It probably doesn't have a major impact on biological filtration. When I remove them I don't see much of a difference mechanically.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics As always, thanks for the reply! Probably very little if any risk of a fish actually getting stuck in the tube. Just makes me feel better I guess lol.
WOW thanks ☯️🌱🐠💞💖😊😇
Sponge filter, at the store I work at the cichlids love pulling the airtube out of the sponge filter and taking chunks out of it
I have a Red Devil that takes chunks out and spits them all over the place. : -)
I have a cheap DIYed matten filter in the corner of my shrimp tank and the water is way cleaner than my main tank with an expensive Oase canister and media. So much so I'm considering putting one in the corner of my main tank as well and selling the canister.
Another thing with the matten is most of the dead plant matter gets stuck to it and eaten by shrimp and snails, so it's kind of self cleaning. You can't do that with a canister, it just sits inside and rots which produces phosphates and feeds algae. That is a huge benefit which needs to be considered over just the size of the sponge.
You can also use a siphon to remove excess mulm/detritus from the face of the matten and extend its good flow
Use an intake sponge (pre filter). Then all of the fine dirt gets stuck there, instead of going inside the canister.
How about putting the matten filter in a rear corner? Could this work?
They have corner matter filters!
Japanese filter Mat and Matala is the best. Especially since they are made for koi ponds
Should the return of the matten filter be fully submerged or half and half?
It doesn't really matter. You just want flow through the sponge and either will give you that.
How do you feel about sumps? I'm setting up a 90gal. and by fall a 150 or bigger. I never had a sump so it's between that and two canisters.(One mechanical and one biological). Any thoughts?
I haven't used them because the filtration I have has always been sufficient. I could see their usefulness in a very large, over-stocked tank, but they are mostly unnecessary in the average set-up.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics What do you think of the "Fishman" canister filter build that according to him will not need servicing for many years.
Need some multis!
Sub’d - Gr8 Info Pros & Cons Both I like how you lay out all the info making it simple for all Level Fish Keepers ! keep it up Brethren #MuchRespect #FishFam
Thank you! Glad you are here. : -)
Prob already mentioned, as with sponge filter taking up space, visually obstructive and fish hiding in and around. Same can be said for the heater, which is not so easy to simply move or remove. Where as it can also be hidden behind the wall of filter, thusly out of tje way and not an issue. ALSO the mat filter (usually) covers the back of of the tank, lessening the need to paint pr other wise block the view through tje tank.
Good points!
Just how critical is the type of material used for a Matten Filter? I see Swiss Tropicals sells the German-made sponge, but is it actually worth the price? It is quite expensive. Thanks. Love your videos.
I guess it depends on how heavily stocked the tank is. For me, with an average stocked tank the matten filters from Flip have worked fine.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I was thinking of running a Matten filter at the top/back of one of my tanks rather than on side or back. This should leave the whole bottom clean. I can incorporate mechanical filtration at the same time.
I have 85 gallons reef tank with 2 hang on the back filters at each side.do you think could be useful to help grow good bacteria just to put on each side one of this black foam panels but without the air pump? Just want to help get the ammonia down.
Thanks
If you are not having ammonia issues now, I'm not sure I would worry about it too much.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics OK
Thanks
Hi Jason, can you make a video on everything about air flow for sponge filters? I have some questions about them, but I found that these info rarely brought up in the internet.
1. When using sponge filters, do the air flow has to be at least 4x the volume of my tank per hour? Or is it doesn't matter that much?
2. Where should sponge filters be placed to be working effectively? Corner vs center of the tank.
3. Will the aeration reduce if I place my air stone/sponge filter in the corner of the tank?
4. Will I compromise the air pump if I place the pump low on the floor? (Using check-valve)
Thanks a lot!
I will add it to the list!
Can I use mattern filter in graveled tank
Sure - you just have to move the gravel over so the matten filter can sit against the bottom of the tank.
When you clean the Matten filter aren’t you getting Rid of the beneficial bacteria or how does that work ?
I clean my sponge filters and matten filters in regular tap water and never had a problem. While some microbes may be killed, there are still plenty left.
What size sponge filter do I need for a 55gal
If I were only running sponges I like two hydro IV's - one on each side.
at 5:12 what's the small leaved short plant on the right?
It's some type of crypt. Not sure which one though.
Where do we buy the Matten material?
I think Flip Aquatics may sell the sponge material too?
You mentioned cleaning but not how often you clean the mattens what is your routine?
Because they are so big and the matten tanks are lightly stocked - once every couple months.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics wow thank you for speedy reply I’m interested in setting up some small breeding setups with heavy plants. Do you recommend any other chemical filtration? Definitely staying away from carbon
Where can I buy the matten filler from?
Flipaquatics.com
I am new to keeping fish, i got a 15 gallon cube planted tank, already looking at a larger tank
Another poor soul lost the the plague known as MST. Rest in peace. (multiple tank syndrome)
@@Zaku186 i thought a fluval flora 14.5 would be all i needed as a Betta tank.....plz help
@@scottmurphy4946 Looks like a great little kit. the aqua clear filters are probably the best hang on back filters you can get. just treat the sponge like biological as well as the bio rings that come with them. (meaning clean them ONLY in old tank water you know has no chlorine or chloramines in it. so you dont kill your beneficial bacteria.) and thats plenty of biological for a betta.
lol did you get a larger tank? My largest is only 29 gallons. I want to get a 55 some day.
Interesting, could an aquarist safely place the heater in the space behind the matten filter to hide it?
Thanks again,
Jim
Definitely, if there is enough room left behind the matten filter.
What stops shrimp from crawling up and over it?
Their tiny little brain. Haha. They generally don't crawl out of the tank very often.
Can i use the sponge one for my 10gal? Its cheaper for me to do.
Sure
@@PrimeTimeAquatics ty and 1 is all I need right
While I generally don’t like seeing any equipment in my tanks, I don’t understand why sponge filters particularly get so much negative attention for looks. Compared to most equipment, the bubbles look kind of cool.
how often do you rinse a cherry shrimp matten ?
Almost never (maybe once a year). Since they don't produce much waste.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics sweet
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Can I ask what beard trimmer you use I am looking ?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics even with MTS ?
Alright
The Beard!!!
Matten filter on a 55 gallon tank for a turtle? Recommendations?
Some turtles eat sponge material?
Aquarium co-op sponge filters are the best in the game, with a ziss never clog airstone your rant is set for life.
Seconded for those weird green bubblies. My one somehow catches all the waste and my shrimp graze on it all day.
I enjoy your informative content. But... I think you need to show more footage of your examples.
Never saw a matten filter at a lfs
You should check out fishman and his acrylic builds for air lift filters.
Doesn't beneficial bacteria grow on most surfaces?
Yes, as long as they have access to O2
Third
What is your website? Do you ship fish?
Website should be up soon, but we don't ship fish. Depending on what you are looking for check out flipaquatics.com or the Wet Spot. Thanks for watching!
Never understood the idea that more surface area is better. There must be a cap on surface area to where more beneficial bacteria isnt really going to help your ammonia conversion. For example many 10 gallons do perfect with a single sponge filter. If u then added a second (and therefore double your surface area) are your parameters actually better and fish healthier? I would argue just one was fine in the first place and second is overkill.
Microbes will populate to the bio-load in the tank. The more bio-load one has in the tank, the more important surface area becomes. Most of the time, people have more than enough surface area for biological filtration.
Or you could cut a spare piece of foam and put it in. If thank is visible 3 sides at 2 small pieces.
As long as it is strong enough to stay upright once it gets water-logged.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics that’s true. I was thinking the big piece would have enough pressure to hold it in place 🤷♂️. I have not tried it so not 100% sure. I will let you know. Setting up a few 20 gallon longs next month I am hoping
Ive been running a corner mattenfilter from swisstropicals for a few years now. and although its a lot of surface area it being so much of a pain to clean means it rarely gets done. and when you do clean it a lot of the detritus falls back into the tank as you are trying to get it out or get it into a bag to trap as much of the detritus as you can. it does not look bad especially with java moss and anubias growing on it. the jetlift with a sweeping elbow works really well and provides a decent amount of directional flow. ive had fun growing plants on top of it to. ive got ferns and terrestrial moss there now. but keeping my tank open top has led to a lot of evaporation and i always have bugs in the moss and on my ferns. its not great mechanical and hard to clean. im going to replace it with either two of the Tower Block Filters or better box filters from them. or maybe one of each. with the box filter i can slap some poly-fil on top and have some decent fine mechanical that is easy to replace. and the 4X4X8 tower block filter will still give me a lot of biological surface area and be easy to clean. i dont regret the matten corner filter. it was fun planting it. but its really only good for biological and not great at that on account of being hard to clean and all the crap falling back into the tank.
Appreciate you sharing your experience!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Hopefully it helps anyone coming here thinking about one. from my experience id call it more of a fun filter than an effective one. ease of cleaning is a large contributing factor in a filters effectiveness.
The matten filter are much better I tried Robs matten filters but there's is only good for shrimp and small fish there ppi are to small and clogs up to fast I asked them if they had larger ppi sizes they said no so I tossed there's in a box and ordered from Swiss tropicals they have different ppi size and lots of colors I liked Robs uplift to and how good the foam was cut but there's is made for tiny shrimp or fish
Choosing filter is one of the things I spend most time on trying to figure out for my first tank. I wouldn't mind a perfectly reliable and quiet canister filter for aesthetic reasons, but they don't really exist. A Matten filter + inaudible power head is almost hassle free at the fraction of the cost, and so I haven't really seen a better solution. I think I can live with a black corner in my tank, even when trying to do a little aquascaping.
Not a bad solution at all. : -)
Seems like a lot of aquarists who are used to cleaning filters have taken the matten filter, and altered it to fit their own sensibilities around aquarium keeping. A mattan filter was NOT meant to be a water polishing sponge filter. It is purely a biological filter that is not meant to be cleaned anymore than you should clean your gravel in an undergravel (ug) filter system. Its purpose is to mimic the sediment in the marginal zone of a water way similar to a deep substrate system with or without a ug unit. These small pore sized smooth filters are not HMFs even if they are marketed as such. If it's getting plugged up so that you have to take it out and clean it, even once a year, it's not an HMF.
Let me put a finer point on it... This video should be something like Matten filter vs Undergravel filter, not Sponge filter. This shows the basic misunderstanding.
I tend to focus on how they are used by the majority of people.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Without mentioning the concept behind it? With all due respect, I'm sure you're a good guy, but you're hamstringing your viewers by not giving the full picture. From what I've seen, it's only the swisstropicals website that's even tried to explain the concept.
Thickness also counts, right?
Absolutely!
Do like this video but ain't sold on the Matten Filter.......the sponge filter (as shown) seems far more preferable to me. Filtration surface area is not everything......as portrayed in this video. For instance, if your tank is mature (set up/been running 4+ months) then filter surface area is of less importance.......coz your whole tank will be acting as a biological filter anyway. The sponge filter is easier to maintain too compared to the matten filter.
You are absolutely correct!
Ho won?
I like them both. : -)
Who cares that you can see a sponge filter? I don’t think many people would care if they have a lot of fish tanks and like you said, if they don’t like the look you can hide it well
I don't mind them. : -)