Japanese Matting Biomedia & Vortex Pond Filters

The single biggest reason for the success of well designed vortex or other filters using Japanese matting is that large amounts of air pumped into the vortex biological chambers create highly significant turbulence which allows excellent mass transfer through maximising concentration differences as required for top notch bio filter action. This happens in conjunction with the simultaneous creation of large and open surface area structures on which many bacteria can thrive and grow - perfect pond bio filter conditions. The picture below shows what a well-installed Japanese matting filter system look like in non-vortex system:

Japanese matting in pond bio filter To really get a good appreciation as to why Japanese matting is so highly regarded by the koi pond keeping community read this practical article about pond filter action made simple by comparing what happens inside any good bio filter to drinking a cup of sweetened coffee.

Vortex filters are preferred when using Japanese matting for 2 reasons ...

Japanese matting inside vortex filter

This image shows criss-crossed pattern typical of Japanese matting inside vortex pond filter

  • The vortex action allows solids to be removed by settling before they reach the bio filtration chambers. If the solids were not removed then they would block up the spaces within the Japanese matting
  • Japanese matting is very rigid and flat so it can be cut up into smaller sections which can be criss-crossed into a lattice structure so that it can be easily placed into the top sections of vortex filters.

Japanese Matting is green or blue (diagram from Koi Kitchi)

 Notice the following in the first image ...

  • Massive air injection through air stones before each matting section.
  • Very open structure of matting matrix
  • High flow rate large pump used

Although you cannot see it all solids have been efficiently removed to prevent clogging of the Japanese matting.

Only a small proportion of pond keepers can afford or really need large Japanese type matting vortex filters. However if you can afford it then it is one of the best ways without doubt and no matter what people say it has been proven time and time again. This is what a vortex filter looks like below they take up large amounts of space and are difficult to install on a diy basis.

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