Low Density Black Matala
The Black Matala can be used as a support grate for other layers of media due to its very sturdy and open design. The Black Matala is used widely as a large particle size solids filter. A single layer 1.5 inch thick can filter out things like leaves, large clumps of algae, cigarette butts, seed pods, etc. However, if you use multiple layers it can really filter out some smaller particles like medium size koi pellets, small bits of algae, tiny leaves and plant debris, etc. The Black Matala is highly under utilized. We have designed filter tanks with 4 to 6 layers of Black Matala (6in. to 9 in. thick) as a prefilter with flow rates approximately 10 gallons per minute per square foot and essentially nothing but the finest dust particles get through. The flow rate per square foot is very important. In a settling chamber a single layer of Black will slow down and trap large particles and hair algae. Each additional layer you add will trap a smaller and smaller particle without clogging. That's the big advantage to Matala media in general, if you use it correctly, it can hold tremendous amounts of debris without clogging.
As a side note, the Black Matala is actually the most used density for waste water treatment / sewage systems. It is currently being used in municipal waste water treatment plants in various cities around the world. The open flow configuration allows high volumes of dirty water with very high biological oxygen demand to pass through without clogging. The bacteria growing on these strands form thick biofilms in an oxygenated environment with even flow distribution.
When you use the Black or Green Matala for mechanical / solids filtering, you may use the garden hose to spray them clean. In general these two color densities are use as mechanical solids filter pads and you are not concerned with losing any bacteria with a hose washing. The dirt falls off very easily.
Medium Density Green Matala
The Green Matala can follow thereby trapping a medium size particle. Both Green and Black clean out very easily by simply shaking the pieces out before draining the sump.
When you use the Black or Green Matala® for solids filtering you may use the garden hose to spray clean them. The dirt falls off very easily.
A good biofilter needs a lot of surface area with open spaces between for good aerated water flow. A high surface area is useless if the passageways are so small that water flow cannot penetrate.
Green Matala is available in full sheets, 48" x 39" x 1.5" or half sheets, 24" x 39" x 1.5". Full sheets of Green Matala can be folded for shipping. However, the fold will leave a permanent crease down the middle of the sheet. This will not adversely effect the function of the media. Full sheets of Green Matala must ship by truck if you do not want the fold. Half sheet sizes can ship up to 10 per box by UPS.
High Density Blue Matala
The Blue Matala® filter media will filter out a much smaller particle and yet still maintain good flow distribution. In larger systems all four types can be used in sequence to essentially remove all solids.
Matala filter media is a progressive filter Material that is self supporting and multifunctional. Used for prefiltering, mechanical filter media, biological filtration, spawning mat, plant protection, and as a support for other filter medias. Uniquely versatile, Matala filter mats are easy to work with and can fit most all filtration needs.
Blue Matala is available in full sheets, 48" x 39" x 1.5" or half sheets, 24" x 39" x 1.5". Full sheets of Blue Matala can be folded for shipping. However, the fold will leave a permanent crease down the middle of the sheet. This will not adversely effect the function of the media. Full sheets of Blue Matala must ship by truck if you do not want the fold. Half sheet sizes can ship up to 10 per box by UPS.
Super High Density Grey Matala
The Grey Matala® Filter mats will filter out a much smaller particle and yet still maintain good flow distribution. In larger systems all four types can be used in sequence to essentially remove all solids.
Matala media works perfectly with upflow filter designs. The ideal configuration would be the Matala® filter media stood vertically rather than flat. This allows for easier cleaning. All you do is grab an individual piece and shake it up and down to clean it. If your filter chamber is packed to tight, take out one piece first.
Laid flat you will have to remove all the pieces to get to the bottom dirty piece. Stagger your vertical pieces with different Matala mat densities to achieve better solids removal or better biological filtering depending on the tank capacity. A Green piece next to a Grey piece for example will give good flow around the Grey one and trap solids in the Green one.
Gray Matala is available in full sheets, 48" x 39" x 1.5" or half sheets, 24" x 39" x 1.5". Full sheets of Gray Matala can be folded for shipping. However, the fold will leave a permanent crease down the middle of the sheet. This will not adversely effect the function of the media. Full sheets of Gray Matala must ship by truck if you do not want the fold. Half sheet sizes can ship up to 10 per box by UPS.