{"product_id":"seachem-matrix-carbon","title":"Seachem Matrix Carbon | Premium Activated Carbon for Freshwater \u0026 Saltwater","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eSeachem Matrix Carbon is a premium spherical-bead activated carbon engineered for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The bead form won't pack down in your filter, so flow stays high and every gram of carbon stays in active contact with the water. It pulls dissolved organics, tannins, odors, discoloration, and residual medications out fast — and it does it without spiking pH or leaching phosphate the way cheap carbons do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more filtration media? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFilter Media \u0026amp; Cartridges\u003c\/a\u003e, or check the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/seachem\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSeachem\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpherical bead shape — won't pack, maximizes flow and water-to-carbon contact\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHigh macroporous binding-site density — adsorbs organics, tannins, odors, and dissolved meds\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLowest detectable leachable phosphate of any major carbon brand tested — reef and planted-tank safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eVery low ash — minimal pH impact (won't push pH above 7.0 even in distilled water)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOutperforms other premium carbons by 2× or more on capacity, adsorption rate, and service life\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSuitable for freshwater and saltwater — reef, planted, FOWLR, community\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eRinse Matrix Carbon under fresh tap or RO water before use to remove any fines. Place in a media bag and position it in your sump, canister, or HOB filter where flow passes through it. Use approximately 65 mL (about ¼ cup) per 20 gallons (75 L) of tank water for typical maintenance, or up to 250 mL per 20 gallons after dosing medications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eReplace every 4–6 weeks for routine polishing, or sooner after pulling out medications, large water changes, or unusually heavy bioloads. Carbon is not regenerable — once spent, swap it out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e remove or skip carbon when actively dosing reef supplements, fish medications, or plant fertilizers — carbon will strip them out before they can do their job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSeachem\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eMatrix Carbon\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSpherical-bead activated carbon\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSizes Available\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, 2 L, 4 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFreshwater \u0026amp; Saltwater (reef-safe, planted-safe)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDosage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e~65 mL per 20 gal (75 L); replace every 4–6 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhosphate Leaching\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eLowest of any major brand tested\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eNew\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eFilter media bags — keep carbon contained and easy to swap\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOther filter media\u003c\/a\u003e — pair with biological media (Matrix, Pond Matrix) and mechanical floss for a complete filter stack\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/seachem\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSeachem Prime, Stability \u0026amp; other water care\u003c\/a\u003e — round out a maintenance kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this safe for reef tanks and planted tanks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Matrix Carbon has the lowest detectable leachable phosphate of any major carbon brand tested, so it won't fuel algae the way cheap carbons can. It's our default carbon recommendation for reef and high-tech planted setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it lower or raise my pH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo meaningful shift. Even when soaked in distilled water it doesn't push pH above 7.0 — the ash content is far lower than typical bituminous carbons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to rinse it before use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — a quick rinse under tap or RO water clears any fine carbon dust that built up in shipping. Pour through a media bag, drain, and you're ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often do I replace it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery 4–6 weeks for routine polishing. After pulling out medications or after unusually heavy bioloads, swap sooner. Carbon isn't regenerable — once it's saturated, it's done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I run carbon while dosing meds or reef supplements?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Carbon strips medications and many trace elements. Pull the carbon while dosing, then add fresh carbon afterward to remove residuals once treatment is complete.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seachem","offers":[{"title":"100 ml (Bagged)","offer_id":48573106946267,"sku":"105","price":7.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250 ml","offer_id":48573106979035,"sku":"106","price":7.73,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 ml","offer_id":48573107011803,"sku":"103","price":13.11,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 L","offer_id":48573107044571,"sku":"107","price":22.62,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 L","offer_id":48573107077339,"sku":"108","price":45.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4 L","offer_id":48573107110107,"sku":"109","price":90.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/0103-MatrixCarbon-500-mL.png?v=1775555436","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-matrix-carbon","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}