MATALA MEDIA
Rigid and extremely durable, light weight and totally non-toxic. Versatile filter media is perfect for use in biological filters, settling tanks, and pump prefilters. Excellent surface area per sq. ft. with good adhesion of nitrifying bacteria. Simply cut Matala™ to size with a standard serrated kitchen knife, circular saw, jig saw or hole saw. Use with any existing filter. Very easy to clean and resists plugging. Offered in four densities: BLACK (super-coarse) and GREEN (coarse) and BLUE (fine) and GREY (super-fine). 4 densities allow for step-wise transition from mechanical to biological filtration. Water Garden Ponds: Use the black or the green due to higher quantities of solid waste present. A true water garden has very few fish and the biological filtration is carried out by plants and algae in conjunction with the bacteria and micro organisms that attach to the extra surface provided for by plants and macro algae. The main focus of filtration would be solids removal. Use approximately 1.6 cu. ft or 1 full sheets per 1000 gals. as a minimum.
Ornamental Ponds with greater fish to plant ratio. Again use at least 2 to 3 cu. ft. or 2 full sheets per 1000 gals. The fish load rather than the water volume will determine the amount of Matala to use. As your fish population grows and increases in number you must provide at least double the Matala® to give your fish the right conditions. This equates to 5 cu.ft. or 3 full sheets per 1000 gals. Koi Ponds with no plants: Usually this is the type of pond where many high quality koi are kept and water quality is of utmost importance to maintain the health and growth of body required. Typically these ponds require larger filter systems, preferably with multiple chambers whereby solids are separated from the biological chamber. Matala® can be used to full advantage in multi-chamber systems. All 4 densities can be used in series or combination to give desired results. Use 6+ cu.ft. per 1000 gals. or 4 full sheets to achieve excellent water conditions. This relates to a minimum filter size being 10% to 15% of the volume of the pond. Full sheet size = 39” x 47” x 1.5” Half sheet size = 39” x 23.5” x 1.5” Rounds = Rolled Round are 22" diameter - fits most whiskey-barrel style filters.