Reusing Seachem Matrix

[Cookie_apisto]

I got one liter of Seachem Matrix that had been used for 5 months from a saltwatee tank then I took it out then rinsed it and let it air dry. Right now I am going to setup a freshwater tank so is it possible to reuse the Seachem Matrix?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I got one liter of Seachem Matrix that had been used for 5 months from a saltwatee tank then I took it out then rinsed it and let it air dry. Right now I am going to setup a freshwater tank so is it possible to reuse the Seachem Matrix?

It is, but with a couple of provisos.

Do you have a conductivity meter? If you do you can use that to find out of there are any residual Na+ and Cl- ions, retained with in the "Matrix". You only need a very small amount of ions to raise conductivity.

If salts are still leaking from the internal pore spaces of the media you could try boiling (or microwaving or pressure cooking) it.

cheers Darrel

 

[Cookie_apisto]

I dont have a conductivity meter so what can I do?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I dont have a conductivity meter so what can I do?

Personally I'd be happy to boil it, pour the water off and give a rinse in clean water. If you don't mind waiting you could leave it outside for a while for the rain to fall on it,

I've used Moler clay (diatomaceous earth) based <"cat litter"> a few times as a substrate and you can wash the scent out of it if you leave it outside for ~6 months. It would have much more CEC than Matrix.

cheers Darrel

 

[Cookie_apisto]

The matrix are in use now. I just rinsed them in warm water with a shower head for so many times then let them air dried.