Matala Filter Media Mats – 24" x 39" x 1.5" (Bundle of 4) | Low to Super High Density

Matala filter media is the professional standard for biological and mechanical pond filtration. Unlike foam blocks and quilted filter pads that compress, lose surface area, and degrade within 2-3 seasons, Matala's rigid thermopolypropylene structure maintains its open fiber geometry indefinitely — supporting dense biofilm colonies while allowing free water flow without channeling or pressure drop. This listing is the 09998 Complete Bundle of 4 — one half-sheet of each density in the Matala system: Black (Super Coarse), Green (Coarse), Blue (Fine), and Gray (Super Fine). Together, these four sheets form a complete progressive filtration system that handles everything from coarse leaf and debris removal to fine particle polishing and maximum biological surface area. 📦 What SKU 09998 Includes — All Four Densities: (1) Black — Super Coarse, Low Density (62 sq.ft./cu.ft.) — 1st stage, coarse debris (1) Green — Coarse, Medium Density (96 sq.ft./cu.ft.) — 2nd stage, medium particles (1) Blue — Fine, High Density (124 sq.ft./cu.ft.) — 3rd stage, fine particles (1) Gray — Super Fine, Super High Density (171 sq.ft./cu.ft.) — 4th stage, polishing All 4 Densities Included 24” × 39” × 1.5” 6–8 lbs per sheet Thermopolypropylene Reusable — Never Replace 62–171 sq.ft./cu.ft. Fish-Safe, Non-Toxic The Four Matala Densities ⬛ Black Super Coarse | Low Density 62 sq.ft./cu.ft. | 92% open space Best for: First stage, coarse debris, high-flow skimmers, leaf/algae trapping 🟩 Green Coarse | Medium Density 96 sq.ft./cu.ft. | 93% open space Best for: Second stage, medium particles, good mechanical + biological balance 🟦 Blue Fine | High Density 124 sq.ft./cu.ft. | 94% open space Best for: Third stage, fine particle capture, excellent biofilm colonization ⬜ Gray Super Fine | Super High Density 171 sq.ft./cu.ft. | 94% open space Best for: Final polishing stage, maximum biological surface area, koi systems Technical Specifications Specification Value SKU 09998 Bundle Contents One (1) of EACH density: Black + Green + Blue + Gray Sheet Dimensions 39.5” L × 24” W × 1.5” Deep (all densities) Weight per Sheet 6–8 lbs (varies by density) Volume per Sheet 0.8 cu.ft. (6 gallon volume) Specific Gravity 0.95 — slightly buoyant (must be wedged or weighted) Material Thermopolypropylene (thermo-polypropylene compound) Non-Toxic Yes — safe for fish, koi, invertebrates, aquatic plants Reusable Yes — rinse, reinstall; replace only when physically damaged Cutting Cut to fit with serrated knife (turkey carver) or utility blade Applications Skimmers, waterfall boxes, biofilters, settling chambers, upflow filters Saltwater Safe Yes Complete Density & Surface Area Reference Color Official Matala Name Bio Surface Area Open Space Individual SKU Black Super Coarse 62 sq.ft./cu.ft. 92% FSM190-1/2 Green Coarse 96 sq.ft./cu.ft. 93% FSM290-1/2 Blue Fine 124 sq.ft./cu.ft. 94% FSM365-1/2 Gray Super Fine 171 sq.ft./cu.ft. 94% FSM460-1/2 Individual half-sheets (24”×39”×1.5”) are available separately by SKU. Individual quarter-sheets (24”×19.5”) are also available for smaller filter chambers. How Much Matala Do You Need? 📐 Filter sizing guideline: One half-sheet = 0.8 cubic feet of media. Use the guide below to estimate total media volume needed based on your pond size and fish load. Higher fish loads require more media because more biological surface area is needed to handle the increased ammonia and nitrogen load. Pond Type / Fish Load Sheets per 1,000 Gallons Recommended Densities Water garden, minimal fish ~1 sheet per 1,000 gal Black + Green for solids removal Ornamental pond, medium fish load 2–3 sheets per 1,000 gal All four densities in progressive layers Koi pond, heavy fish load 3+ sheets per 1,000 gal All four densities; may need multiple Blue/Gray layers High-density koi/show pond (no plants) 4–6+ sheets per 1,000 gal All four densities; multiple chambers At 0.8 cu.ft. per sheet, this 4-sheet bundle provides 3.2 cu.ft. of media — sufficient for a 1,000–1,600 gallon pond with medium fish load, or a 3,000+ gallon water garden with minimal fish. Frequently Asked Questions What is the 'Progressive Density' concept and how do I arrange these mats? Progressive density means placing coarser media first (water enters it first) and finer media last, so each stage handles progressively smaller particles without clogging the downstream layers: 1st stage — Black (Super Coarse, 62 sq.ft./cu.ft.): Traps leaves, large algae clumps, and coarse debris. Its 92% open structure handles high flow without pressure drop. 2nd stage — Green (Coarse, 96 sq.ft./cu.ft.): Captures medium particles after the Black pre-filters the larger material. 3rd stage — Blue (Fine, 124 sq.ft./cu.ft.): Fine particle removal and strong biological colonization with 94% open space. 4th stage — Gray (Super Fine, 171 sq.ft./cu.ft.): Final polishing and maximum biological surface area for nitrifying bacteria. This arrangement prevents premature clogging and maximizes the useful life between cleanings. Note: Matala has a specific gravity of 0.95 (slightly buoyant) — it must be wedged firmly in the filter chamber rather than simply placed flat. How much surface area do Matala mats provide for biological filtration? Matala provides between 62 and 171 square feet of biological surface area per cubic foot, depending on density: Black (Super Coarse): 62 sq.ft./cu.ft. — 92% open space Green (Coarse): 96 sq.ft./cu.ft. — 93% open space Blue (Fine): 124 sq.ft./cu.ft. — 94% open space Gray (Super Fine): 171 sq.ft./cu.ft. — 94% open space Each half-sheet in this bundle represents 0.8 cubic feet of media. At 94% open space, even the densest Gray mat allows free water and oxygen flow to the bacteria colonies growing throughout the fiber structure — unlike compressed foam, which closes off internal porosity over time. Can I cut the 24" x 39" Matala mats to fit my specific pond filter? Yes. Matala cuts cleanly with a serrated blade — a standard kitchen turkey carver (medium-to-fine tooth serration, 8” blade) works well for most cuts. For the Black density (most open weave), a fine-tooth hacksaw or pipe-cutting saw may provide a cleaner cut due to the looser fiber structure. The rigid thermopolypropylene construction holds its shape after cutting without fraying or losing structural integrity, unlike foam which tears and compresses. Matala can also be cut with a circular saw (fine-tooth blade reversed) for very clean edges, but hand tools are sufficient for most filter customizations. Are Matala filter mats safe for koi, goldfish, and aquatic plants? Yes. Matala is made from Thermopolypropylene — a non-toxic, pH-neutral polymer compound that contains no chemical adhesives, plasticizers, or additives harmful to aquatic life. It will not leach any compounds into pond water under normal use conditions. Matala is used globally in municipal wastewater treatment, aquaculture, and public aquarium filtration — its safety profile is extensively documented. How often do I need to clean Matala filter media? Significantly less often than foam or fiber media. The rigid open structure resists compaction and deferred clogging that progressively reduces flow in foam pads. For most pond applications: rinse the coarser mats (Black/Green) once or twice per season in a bucket of pond water (not tap water, to preserve bacteria colonies). The finer mats (Blue/Gray) may need cleaning once annually if used downstream of the coarser stages. Key maintenance note: always rinse in pond water, not tap water, to preserve the beneficial bacteria biofilm. The rigid structure survives aggressive hosing without losing its shape or surface area. Why Buy from Pond Pro Direct? Authentic Matala filter media Expert filtration design guidance — call or text (765) 508-4352, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm EST Free shipping on all orders Price match guarantee on identical products 30-day return period on eligible items