Best Mattenfilter Setup for Breeding and Shrimp Tanks

Table of Contents

• What Is a Mattenfilter?
• How a Mattenfilter Works
• Key Buying Criteria for Mattenfilter Materials
• Foam Grades and Pore Sizes Explained
• Corner Mattenfilter Setup
• Full-Wall Mattenfilter Setup
• Hamburg Mattenfilter (HMF) Variations
• Pump and Airlift Sizing
• Mattenfilter Setup Comparison
• Maintenance and Longevity
• Singapore Availability and Buying Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What Is a Mattenfilter?

If you are looking for a reliable mattenfilter aquarium guide, you have come to the right place. A mattenfilter — sometimes called a matten filter or Hamburg Matten Filter (HMF) — is a large sheet of open-cell foam installed inside the aquarium, typically against the back or side wall. Water passes slowly through the foam, which serves as both mechanical and biological filtration media. The design originated in Germany and has become a staple among breeders and shrimp keepers worldwide.

At Gensou, located at 5 Everton Park in Singapore, we have used mattenfilters in our breeding and display tanks for over 20 years. Their simplicity, safety and effectiveness make them one of our most recommended filtration methods for hobbyists who prioritise livestock health over high-tech equipment.

How a Mattenfilter Works

The Principle

A mattenfilter divides the tank into two compartments: the main display area and a smaller chamber behind the foam. A pump or airlift tube in the rear chamber draws water through the foam and returns it to the display side. Because the foam sheet is large, water flows through it very slowly — typically less than 5 cm per minute. This gentle flow is ideal for culturing beneficial bacteria while posing zero risk to fry, shrimplets or delicate species.

Biological Filtration

The massive surface area of open-cell foam supports an enormous colony of nitrifying bacteria. Unlike small cartridge filters where media is regularly replaced, mattenfilter foam stays in place for years, allowing a mature and stable bacterial population to develop.

Mechanical Filtration

Detritus and fine particles are trapped on the front face of the foam. Over time, a layer of mulm builds up, which itself becomes additional biological media. This self-reinforcing cycle is one reason mattenfilters are so effective with minimal maintenance.

Key Buying Criteria for Mattenfilter Materials

Foam Thickness

Standard mattenfilter foam is 3 cm to 5 cm thick. Thicker foam provides more surface area for bacteria and longer contact time with water, but it also requires a stronger pump to push water through. For most freshwater tanks up to 120 cm, 5 cm foam strikes the best balance.

Foam Pore Size (PPI)

Pores per inch (PPI) determines how fine or coarse the foam is. This is the single most important specification for mattenfilter performance and is covered in detail below.

Foam Quality

Use only aquarium-safe, uncoated open-cell polyether foam. Avoid foam from hardware stores that may contain fire retardants or other chemicals. Aquarium-grade foam is specifically manufactured to be non-toxic and resistant to waterlogging.

Frame or Mounting Method

The foam needs to be held in place so water cannot bypass it around the edges. Common mounting methods include plastic cable-tie grids, custom-cut acrylic frames, or silicone-sealed glass dividers. The seal does not need to be perfectly watertight — the foam itself creates a seal when compressed slightly against the glass.

Pump or Airlift Choice

The water mover behind the foam can be a small submersible pump or an airlift tube driven by an air pump. Airlifts are preferred for shrimp and fry tanks because they add oxygenation and produce virtually no suction risk.

Foam Grades and Pore Sizes Explained

For most shrimp and breeding applications, 30 PPI foam is the standard recommendation. It prevents even the smallest shrimplets from passing through while maintaining adequate flow for biological filtration. If you keep larger species or have a higher bioload, drop down to 20 PPI to prevent the foam from clogging too quickly.

Corner Mattenfilter Setup

The corner mattenfilter uses a curved or angled piece of foam fitted into one corner of the tank. This creates a small triangular chamber behind the foam for the pump or airlift.

Advantages

• Uses minimal tank space
• Easy to install in tanks of any size
• Ideal for nano and small breeding tanks
• Foam can be bent to shape without cutting

Disadvantages

• Smaller foam surface area compared to a full wall
• May be insufficient for heavily stocked tanks
• Less visually discreet than a back-wall installation

Recommended Tank Size

Tanks up to 60 cm (approximately 60 litres). For larger tanks, a full-wall or Hamburg-style setup is more effective.

Full-Wall Mattenfilter Setup

A full-wall mattenfilter covers the entire back panel of the tank. The chamber behind the foam runs the full width and can house pumps, heaters and even dosing equipment, keeping them out of the display area.

Advantages

• Maximum foam surface area for biological filtration
• Hides equipment behind the foam for a clean look
• Extremely gentle water flow across the entire foam face
• Suitable for heavily stocked breeding rack systems

Disadvantages

• Reduces effective tank depth by 5–8 cm
• Requires a more powerful pump to draw water through the larger area
• Installation is more involved — glass dividers or guides needed

Recommended Tank Size

Tanks 60 cm and above. Particularly effective in 90 cm to 120 cm breeding tanks where high bioload demands maximum filtration.

Hamburg Mattenfilter (HMF) Variations

The classic Hamburg Mattenfilter uses a jetlifter — a powerhead attached to a vertical tube behind the foam — to create upward flow that draws water through the sheet. Several variations exist.

Standard HMF with Powerhead

A small powerhead at the base of the rear chamber pushes water up through a vertical tube and over the foam edge back into the display. Simple, reliable and easy to maintain.

Airlift HMF

Replaces the powerhead with an airline and airstone inside a vertical tube. Rising air bubbles drag water upward, creating gentle circulation. This is the preferred method for shrimp tanks because it oxygenates the water and creates virtually no suction.

Undergravel-Hybrid HMF

Some breeders place a thin layer of gravel in front of the foam to add a secondary mechanical filtration layer. This can extend maintenance intervals but makes the foam slightly harder to access for cleaning.

Pump and Airlift Sizing

Correct pump sizing ensures adequate flow without overloading the foam. A general guideline is to turn over the total tank volume two to three times per hour through the mattenfilter.

Note: Pump ratings assume zero head pressure. Actual flow through the foam will be lower than the pump’s rated output, so it is better to size up slightly and use a flow controller to dial in the exact rate.

Mattenfilter Setup Comparison

Maintenance and Longevity

Cleaning Frequency

One of the greatest advantages of a mattenfilter is how rarely it needs cleaning. In a properly sized setup, the foam may only need a rinse every 6 to 12 months. When flow rate drops noticeably, gently squeeze the foam in a bucket of old tank water to dislodge accumulated mulm. Never rinse under tap water — chlorine will kill the beneficial bacteria.

Foam Replacement

High-quality aquarium foam can last five years or more. Replace it only when the structure begins to break down and crumble. When replacing, install the new foam alongside the old piece for a few weeks so bacteria can colonise the fresh sheet before you remove the spent one.

Biofilm Management

A thin biofilm on the foam surface is normal and beneficial. Shrimp and fry actively graze on this biofilm, making the mattenfilter a supplementary food source. Avoid scrubbing the foam face clean — a light rinse is all that is needed.

Singapore Availability and Buying Tips

Sourcing Foam Locally

Aquarium-grade mattenfilter foam is available from selected aquarium shops in Singapore. Ask specifically for open-cell polyether foam in 30 PPI or 20 PPI — not all filter sponges sold in shops are suitable for mattenfilter use. The foam should be uniformly porous, not compressed or coated.

Online Options

Shopee and Lazada sellers offer mattenfilter foam sheets in various PPI ratings. When ordering online, check the thickness (aim for 3–5 cm) and confirm it is aquarium-safe. Some sellers import directly from German or Japanese manufacturers known for consistent quality.

Custom Frames and Dividers

If you need acrylic guides or glass dividers cut to size, local aquarium fabricators and acrylic shops can produce these affordably. Bring your tank measurements and foam thickness to ensure a proper fit.

Air Pumps and Tubing

For airlift setups, any reliable air pump available in Singapore will work. Pair it with rigid airline tubing (available in 15 mm, 20 mm and 25 mm diameters) from aquarium or hardware stores. Silicone airline tubing connects the air pump to an airstone placed inside the rigid tube.

Expert Advice

Our team at Gensou has installed mattenfilters in tanks ranging from 20-litre shrimp cubes to 500-litre breeding systems. If you need guidance on foam selection, pump sizing or installation, we are always happy to help at our 5 Everton Park location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a mattenfilter in a planted aquascape?

Yes, though it is more common in breeding and shrimp setups. In a planted tank, the foam wall can be partially hidden behind hardscape or tall background plants. Some hobbyists attach moss or Anubias directly to the foam face, turning the filter into a living green wall.

Will a mattenfilter work for a marine or brackish tank?

Mattenfilters work in any freshwater or brackish setup. They are less common in marine tanks because saltwater hobbyists typically rely on live rock, protein skimmers and sump-based filtration. However, there is no chemical reason a mattenfilter cannot be used in saltwater.

How do I know if my mattenfilter is cycled?

Test for ammonia and nitrite as you would with any new filter. A mattenfilter typically cycles within four to six weeks. Once ammonia and nitrite read zero and nitrates are present, the filter is fully cycled. Adding established filter media or a bacterial starter product can speed this process.

Is a mattenfilter better than a sponge filter?

A mattenfilter offers significantly more surface area than a standard sponge filter because the foam sheet is much larger. It also distributes flow more evenly and does not take up space inside the main display area. For shrimp and breeding tanks, a mattenfilter is generally the superior option, though a sponge filter is easier to set up and move between tanks.

Conclusion

This mattenfilter aquarium guide has covered the essential concepts: how mattenfilters work, which foam grade to choose, how to size your pump or airlift, and which setup style suits different tank sizes and livestock. The mattenfilter’s simplicity is its greatest strength — once installed, it delivers quiet, gentle and highly effective filtration with almost no maintenance.

For shrimp keepers and breeders in Singapore, the mattenfilter is hard to beat. It protects tiny livestock, supports massive bacterial colonies, and can be built to fit virtually any tank configuration.

Need help setting up a mattenfilter? Contact Gensou for advice and materials, browse our online shop for foam and accessories, or commission a custom aquarium with a mattenfilter built in from the start.