Unlocking the Power of the Hamburg Matten Filter for Your Shrimp Tank

As an avid aquarium hobbyist, I've always been fascinated by the intricate world of shrimp keeping. From the vibrant colors of Neocaridina shrimp to the delicate beauty of Caridina species, these captivating creatures have a way of captivating our hearts and minds. However, maintaining a thriving shrimp tank requires more than just a keen eye and a love for these aquatic wonders. Effective filtration is a crucial component in ensuring the health and well-being of your shrimp colony.

Enter the Hamburg Matten Filter, a unique and highly efficient filtration system that has become a game-changer for shrimp enthusiasts. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the world of the Hamburg Matten Filter, exploring its design, benefits, and how you can incorporate it into your shrimp tank setup.

What is a Hamburg Matten Filter?

The Hamburg Matten Filter, also known as the Matten filter or sponge filter, is a type of aquarium filtration system that has been widely used in the shrimp keeping community. Its design is relatively simple, yet highly effective in providing both mechanical and biological filtration for your aquarium.

At its core, the Hamburg Matten Filter consists of a sponge material, typically made of polyurethane or similar porous materials, that is submerged in the aquarium water. This sponge acts as a mechanical filter, trapping larger debris and particles as the water passes through it. Additionally, the sponge provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize, enabling effective biological filtration and a grazing surface for your shrimp.

The origins of the Hamburg Matten Filter can be traced back to Germany, where it was initially developed and popularized by aquarium enthusiasts. Over the years, the design has evolved, with various modifications and improvements to enhance its efficiency and suitability for different aquarium setups.

Benefits for Shrimp Tanks

The Hamburg Matten Filter is particularly well-suited for shrimp tanks due to its unique features and benefits:

Gentle Water Movement

Shrimp, especially the more delicate Caridina species, thrive in environments with gentle water movement. The Hamburg Matten Filter's design creates a soft, diffused flow, ensuring that your shrimp are not subjected to strong currents that could stress them or disrupt their natural behaviors.

Effective Biological Filtration

The large surface area of the sponge material provides an ideal habitat for beneficial bacteria to colonize and break down waste products, effectively maintaining water quality and creating a stable environment for your shrimp.

Minimal Shrimp Risk

Unlike traditional hang-on-back or canister filters, the Hamburg Matten Filter poses a much lower risk of shrimp getting trapped or sucked into the intake. This makes it a safer choice for shrimp tanks, where the well-being of your delicate inhabitants is of utmost importance.

DIY Jet Air Lift Tube and Hamburg Matten Filter Setup

One of the great things about the Hamburg Matten Filter is that it can be easily constructed at home, allowing you to customize it to your specific tank requirements. Here's a step-by-step guide to building your own Hamburg Matten Filter:

Materials Needed

• Sponge material (polyurethane or similar) 
  • Recommend 35 ppi- I purchase larger sheets and cut to size.  
• 1/2" PVC pipe or tubing
  • 90 Degree pre-bent saves some time and effort.
• Small piece of 3/4" PVC. ~3 inches long
• Air pump 
• Airline tubing
• 90 degree air connector
• O-rings
• Epoxy putty

Construction Steps

Jet Air Lift

1. Cut a piece of 1/2" 90 degree PVC to the correct height. Just make sure it will fit under your lid.
2. About 1" from the bottom of the 1/2 PVC bottom, drill a series of holes all the way around.  Two rows should be great.  Use as small a drill bit as you can find. 
   
3. Place an O-ring above and below the holes you just drilled.  
   

   

4. Cut about a 3" piece of 3/4" PVC to act as a sleeve over the 1/2" pipe and create an air chamber. 

   

5. Drill a hole to match the size of your 90 degree air fitting so you can insert one end into this hole. Use epoxy putty to glue the 90 degree air fitting in place.  

   

6. Slide the 3/4" PVC over the two o-rings and use some epoxy putty to glue the 3/4" piece in place creating an air chamber that will force thew air through the holes in the 1/2" PVC pipe and serve as your jet airlift.  I used silicone in the photos above to glue everything in place. I recently started using epoxy putty and it is easier to work with creates a better bond.
7. Attach aquarium tubing to the 90 degree air fitting.  

Matten Filter

1. Cut the sponge material to the desired size and shape, ensuring it fits snugly in your aquarium. I like a slight bow in the sponge to allow space for the airlift tube and to hold the sponge tightly in place.  
2. Poke a hole in the sponge filter so that the jet air lift tube is at or very near the the top of the tank.
   
3. Connect the air pump to the jet uplift tube using the airline tubing.
   

By following this simple DIY approach, you can create a customized Hamburg Matten Filter that perfectly fits your shrimp tank's dimensions and requirements.

This shows the foam and jet airlift installed in the aquarium. It is simply form fit into the back of the aquarium.

This is one of my DIY the Hamburg Matten Filter in action in one of my Purple Metallic tanks.

Maintenance and Best Practices

Maintaining the Hamburg Matten Filter is relatively straightforward, but it's essential to follow some best practices to ensure optimal performance and the well-being of your shrimp:

Cleaning 

Personally I never clean my matten filters unless I am resetting a tank. I have matten filters in use for over 6 years without issue.  

Performance Optimization

Adjust the air pump or power head flow rate to maintain a gentle, diffused water movement. Experiment with different positions and orientations of the jet uplift tube to find the sweet spot for your tank.

Compatibility with Shrimp

The Hamburg Matten Filter is generally considered shrimp-safe, but it's essential to ensure that the sponge material and any other components do not pose a risk of entanglement or injury to your shrimp.

Comparison with Other Filtration Methods

While the Hamburg Matten Filter is an excellent choice for shrimp tanks, it's important to understand how it compares to other filtration methods:

Advantages over Traditional Filters

Compared to hang-on-back or canister filters, the Hamburg Matten Filter offers a gentler water flow, reduced risk of shrimp entanglement, and more efficient biological filtration due to the large surface area of the sponge material.

Suitability for Different Tank Sizes

The Hamburg Matten Filter can be scaled to accommodate a wide range of tank sizes, making it a versatile option for both small and large shrimp tanks.

What about UGF Boxes?

I have started using a UGF in the same tank as my Hamburg Matten filters with great success. 

Conclusion

The Hamburg Matten Filter is a game-changer for shrimp enthusiasts, offering a highly effective and shrimp-friendly filtration solution. By understanding its design, benefits, and best practices, you can unlock the power of this remarkable system and create a thriving, healthy environment for your beloved shrimp.

Whether you're a seasoned shrimp keeper or just starting your journey, incorporating the Hamburg Matten Filter into your aquarium setup is a surefire way to ensure the long-term success and well-being of your shrimp colony. So, why not give it a try and experience the transformative power of this innovative filtration system?