Within the last several years, the water garden and Koi pond hobby has seen some major advances in understanding of system designs and pond ecology. This evolution of understanding has progressed from an era based on simple techniques and filter systems and has evolved to the current "high tech" era based on gadgets and accessories. Sorting through this progressive development we have advanced even further by putting both of these eras into perspective, extracting the best of both worlds. This article is given to increase the general understanding of pond system ecology and to introduce the new filter media known as Matala.

Benefits of Matala Filter Media:

• Made of Thermo-Polypropylene Compounds (TPPC)
• Formed into layers & shapes of thickness
• Very resistant to plugging
• Excellent bacteria adhesion
• Lightweight and very durable
• Easy to cut and fit

Water Stability vs. Water Quality

A swimming pool owner wants to achieve filtration that guarantees clean and nearly sterilized water.

A pond keeper’s goal must be to create "Clean, healthy, living water". This can only be achieved in a pond ecosystem where water stability is equally important as water quality. Living water is actually full of microorganisms of all types that form a basic food chain, which in essence create the type of healthy water where our Koi and goldfish thrive.

Most of us are informed or aware of the "Pond chemistry" and try to be the alchemist that controls typical water quality parameters like oxygen saturation, ammonia and nitrite levels, pH and alkalinity, dissolved and solid waste levels and of course, temperature. These "Parameters" simultaneously constitute the nutrients and living conditions of many microorganisms that influence the ponds’ ecosystem. A dynamic and balanced ecosystem is created when these ingredients are kept at stable levels where the microorganisms, algae, plants and fish can find a synergistic state of homeostasis. Synergy is the interaction of the water’s chemistry and all organism’s lives working together. Homeostasis is the movement of these organisms within their chemical world towards an equilibrium where they are healthy. All ponds want to find a balance. Ponds that are stable usually create water of good quality. What the pond owner provides or not will determine how soon and to what degree this balance is achieved.

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. In a settling chamber the Black will slow down and trap very large particles and hair algae.

Very coarse, low density weave. Good for high-flow applications.

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.

Fiber Density - 1.8 mm

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.

Coarse, medium density weave. Allows good flow and filters well.

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.

Fiber Density - .9 mm

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.

Medium, high density weave. Traps a lot of debris, medium flow.

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.

Fiber Density - .6 mm

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.

Fine, super high density weave. Lower flow but thorough filtration.

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.

Fiber Density - .45 mm