{"product_id":"seachem-matrixcarbon","title":"MatrixCarbon — Macroporous Spherical Activated Carbon 250 ml, 500 ml and 4 L - Seachem","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeachem MatrixCarbon\u003c\/strong\u003e is an activated carbon formed into spherical beads from macroporous bituminous coal. The only spherical carbon on the market, it will not pack, permitting maximum water flow and contact with its high density of macroporous binding sites. It outperforms other high-grade carbons by at least two-fold in total capacity to remove aquarium organic matter, rate of adsorption, and duration of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMain advantages\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe only spherical activated carbon on the market — will not pack, maximum water flow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMacroporous bituminous coal — targets large organic molecules (nitrogenous waste, yellowing compounds)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutperforms competing carbons by at least 2× in capacity, adsorption rate and service life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLowest detectable leachable phosphate content of all major carbon brands tested\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery low ash content — does not raise pH above 7.0 even in distilled water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree sizes offered: 250 ml, 500 ml and 4 L\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDirections (Seachem)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e250 mL will easily treat 400 L (100 US gallons) for several months.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rinse before use and place in a filter bag. For best results, position MatrixCarbon so as to maximize the flow of water through it: a canister filter, chemical filtration module, box filter, or any high-flow area of a trickle filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOfficial dosing table\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth\u003eWater volume\u003c\/th\u003e\u003cth\u003eMatrixCarbon dose\u003c\/th\u003e\u003cth\u003eImperial\u003c\/th\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e1 gal \/ 4 L\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e2.5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e½ tsp\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e10 gal \/ 20 L\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e25 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e5 tsp\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e20 gal \/ 40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e50 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e10 tsp\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e60 gal \/ 200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e150 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e10 tbsp\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMacroporous or microporous: why it matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ingredients a carbon is manufactured from determine whether it will be macro- or microporous. Carbons made from coconut shell and other organic products form \u003cstrong\u003emicroporous\u003c\/strong\u003e carbons, which mainly remove metals and trace elements — better suited to air filtration. Carbons made from bituminous coal, like MatrixCarbon, form \u003cstrong\u003emacroporous\u003c\/strong\u003e carbons, which target large organic molecules — better suited to aquarium water filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarbon is generally considered a chemical filter, but it is in fact a mechanical filter as well — capable of mechanically filtering objects of molecular size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePhosphate and activated carbon\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll carbons contain phosphate. That phosphate comes from the ash of the carbon source, not from washing the carbon with phosphoric acid, contrary to what is sometimes claimed: most carbons are washed with sulfuric acid. The main purpose of acid-washing is to remove ash. Because of MatrixCarbon's spherical hydrodynamic properties, more ash is washed from it than from any other carbon — giving it the lowest detectable leachable phosphate content of all major brands tested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAvailable sizes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e250 ml (net weight 100 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e500 ml\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 L\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRounding out your filtration\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/seachem-the-bag\"\u003eSeachem The Bag\u003c\/a\u003e — the fine-mesh filter bag to hold the media, as recommended by the manufacturer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/purigen-250-ml\"\u003eSeachem Purigen\u003c\/a\u003e — selective, regenerable organic resin; using it with carbon extends its useful service life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/seachem-phosguard\"\u003eSeachem PhosGuard\u003c\/a\u003e — the phosphate and silicate stage of the same chemical filtration chain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/seachem-matrix\"\u003eSeachem Matrix\u003c\/a\u003e — the biomedia that comes next: Seachem recommends the order mechanical → chemical → biological\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy does MatrixCarbon's spherical shape matter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA spherical pellet has ideal hydrodynamic properties: it allows maximum water flow and contact, without the compacting and channeling typical of granular activated carbon. Granular carbons create dead zones where water no longer circulates; MatrixCarbon uses up all available adsorptive sites before exhaustion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does MatrixCarbon last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActual time depends on initial water conditions. In very dirty water, it may last as little as a few hours; in very clean water, several months. \u003cstrong\u003eIn general, 3 to 6 months is typical.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs MatrixCarbon compatible with Purigen?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the two are complementary. MatrixCarbon removes a broad range of organic compounds and dyes, while Purigen selectively targets nitrogenous organics. Using carbon alongside Purigen extends Purigen's useful service life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"500 ml","offer_id":38010075185323,"sku":"000116010306","price":31.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"250 ml","offer_id":47561096626347,"sku":"19173","price":18.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 L","offer_id":47561096659115,"sku":"19178","price":199.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0513\/7108\/1899\/files\/0103-MatrixCarbon-500-mL__55017.jpg?v=1773617067","url":"https:\/\/reefsolution.com\/en\/products\/seachem-matrixcarbon","provider":"Reef Solution","version":"1.0","type":"link"}