Remove/Change Established Matten Filter

[Shrimpasaurus]

I was hoping that someone might know of a proven method for removing a matten filter from an established 40 gallon breeder aquarium (or any aquarium). This tank is heavily planted as well, with a mass of Guppy Grass growing throughout (it needs to be handled as well). I have a massive shrimp colony in this tank, as well as a large number of snails.
The sump area of the matten filter has become extremely smelly, and this is with weekly cleanings using a gravel vac along the sponge to remove excess milm/build up. I have several established filters that will be taking its place, all are cycled and ready to go.
Do you think I can successfully remove the matten filter without further breaking down the tank and removing all inhabitants?
I’m hoping that I can do so, then add the new filtration system, but I am worried that the matten filter sponge is too “loaded,” and/or the water from the sump area will have an effect on the rest of the tank once the sponge is removed.
I do plan on removing as much of the water on that side as possible prior to removing the sponge as part of a routine water change.
Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[fishydaddy]

I am a little confused with how you're describing the matten filter, but it's just a big sponge on one end of the tank correct? Is the sump area you're referring to the gap between the tank wall and the matten sponge?
I would definitely drain from the sump end just to remove as much detritus as possible so it doesn't get stirred up when you remove the sponge. I worked at a facility cleaning around 400 tanks-each with a separate matten filter and would move them around all the time, it would just make the water a bit cloudy as the detritus stuck behind them and in them would get mixed into the water. I never had any issue removing them, cleaning them and then replacing them, even when the area behind them was pretty nasty. The only issue I think you'll encounter is cleaning a layer of detritus dust off of the rest of the tank once it has settled, and ensuring that you're bioload doesn't exceed the amount of bb left in the system after removing the matten sponge- oh! and making sure baby shrimp aren't trapped in the sponge if it has larger pores.

 

[FoldedCheese]

Have you not rinsed the media in old tank water? Completely removing filter media and replacing it is a great way to disrupt your cycle. What kind of smell is it? Earthy? Fishy? Sulfur-y?

 

[Shrimpasaurus]

I am a little confused with how you're describing the matten filter, but it's just a big sponge on one end of the tank correct? Is the sump area you're referring to the gap between the tank wall and the matten sponge?
I would definitely drain from the sump end just to remove as much detritus as possible so it doesn't get stirred up when you remove the sponge. I worked at a facility cleaning around 400 tanks-each with a separate matten filter and would move them around all the time, it would just make the water a bit cloudy as the detritus stuck behind them and in them would get mixed into the water. I never had any issue removing them, cleaning them and then replacing them, even when the area behind them was pretty nasty. The only issue I think you'll encounter is cleaning a layer of detritus dust off of the rest of the tank once it has settled, and ensuring that you're bioload doesn't exceed the amount of bb left in the system after removing the matten sponge- oh! and making sure baby shrimp aren't trapped in the sponge if it has larger pores.

Thank you so much for the reply. You are correct, it is the area between the sponge and the tank wall. Overall great advice as my main concern is that side of the tank “joining” w the rest after removing the sponge. I have several cycled filters ready, I currently have a cycled Aquaclear 70 on the tank as well. I have another I could add, but I also have three spare (and cycled) double sponge filters that I plan to run in its place. Thanks again, hearing that you didn’t experience significant issues with that many removals/cleanings makes me feel much better. You are also correct about a bit of detritus being left over, I can see it already.

 

[MacZ]

The turnover is probably off. Often a mattenfilter needs adjustment of the turnover to compensate for the filter slowly clogging. Too fast or too slow water movement through the filter can cause the composition of the microfauna to tip towards all kinds of microbes that produce smelly things. I would try to adjust the pump/air pump (whichever you use) settings first to like 25% more turnover and if that doesn't help after a week to 25% less than the original setting. With the adjustment you can prolong the life expectancy of such a filter by a year or two.

 

[Shrimpasaurus]

Have you not rinsed the media in old tank water? Completely removing filter media and replacing it is a great way to disrupt your cycle. What kind of smell is it? Earthy? Fishy? Sulfur-y?

Yes, I have always used tank water to clean all sponges and/or filter media, but I think another’s recent reply may be the issue. I believe it may have to do with the air flow/water flow through the main sponge. It is really the only smell I’ve ever encountered with planted aquariums, I’d say it’s earthy.

The turnover is probably off. Often a mattenfilter needs adjustment of the turnover to compensate for the filter slowly clogging. Too fast or too slow water movement through the filter can cause the composition of the microfauna to tip towards all kinds of microbes that produce smelly things. I would try to adjust the pump/air pump (whichever you use) settings first to like 25% more turnover and if that doesn't help after a week to 25% less than the original setting. With the adjustment you can prolong the life expectancy of such a filter by a year or two.

I think this may be the issue. I’ve been running this filter for about 7 months now. I recently upgraded the lift tubes by removing the air stone, and by drilling holes in the base, and I placed a seal around it to in effect create a larger air stone, and the flow is much greater using the same air pump as before. However things seemed to have “gunked up” a lot quicker since the upgrade. I’m going to attempt to regulate the air flow as you suggested, however I must admit that the present flow coming out of the lift tubes is about as slow as I would like it. It’s a steady, slow flow across the top of the tank. I am using a Whisper 60 to run two modified lift tubes. In present conditions I’ve had to gravel vac the sponge every week due to the build up, and it be adjusted feedings to be even less as of late. Just wondering if removing the Matten filter and running an aquaclear 70 with a decent sponge pre filter, and two double sponge filters would be a better, less smelly option. It would also give me the space to add a larger dragon stone/subwassertang scape on that side as well. Tough choice as I am well aware of the benefits of the matten filter when functioning appropriately. Thanks again for the input.

 

[chromedome52]

You cannot contaminate the water in the tank with water from the sump area, as that's the water you've been pumping back into the tank all along. I would agree that the flow rate is the usual problem with Mattenfilters. However, I resolved this problem by replacing the airstone/tube overflow with a small submersible pump/hose overflow. The pump is suspended a few inches above the bottom so as to not draw any detritus. The detritus in the sump area was siphoned out every week or two depending on how fast it built up. Most of my tanks were slightly understocked, but even heavily stocked tanks worked well. Also a quick vac of the intake side of the sponge keeps it flowing.

Edit: I should also mention that I never removed a Mattenfilter until I was tearing the tank down to reset for different fish. Usually that was 1.5-2 years, though the first one I got was in operation for almost 5 years before I tore the tank down.

 

[Jonmott]

Get a big hob filter or canister and just cut the matten filter up and stuff it in the new filter, problem solved!