{"product_id":"matala-black-sqft","title":"Matala Black - Sq\/ft","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMatala Black Filter Media for Heavy Mechanical Pre-Filtration\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatala Black is the coarsest of the four Matala filter media densities. Its open-cell foam structure catches leaves, twigs, algae mats, and large suspended solids in the first filtration stage before they reach finer media or biological zones. Because it passes water freely, it works in high-flow applications where denser media would restrict the pump. Sold per square foot, it cuts to any size or shape your filter chamber requires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to Use It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRun Matala Black at the inlet of your filter as the primary mechanical stage. Its large pore size captures the debris that would quickly clog green or blue media, extending the life of every subsequent layer. In a multi-stage filter, Black does the heavy lifting so finer media stays cleaner longer and biological zones maintain consistent flow. In high-stocking koi ponds and water gardens with heavy leaf fall, it's the first thing water should touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eValue\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDensity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery coarse \/ low density\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiltration Stage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary mechanical (first stage)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePore Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLargest of the four Matala densities\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard Sheet Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e39\" x 48\" x 1.5\" thick (99 cm x 122 cm x 3.8 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSold\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePer square foot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 to 3 years with regular rinsing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMaintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse Matala Black with pond water — never tap water, which kills beneficial bacteria living in the foam. Rinse weekly during peak season when debris load is highest. Replace when the foam becomes permanently compressed and no longer recovers its shape after rinsing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for the first stage of multi-layer pond filters, high-debris ponds, and koi systems where large solids removal protects downstream biological media.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52698365690175,"sku":"MAT-FT-BLACK","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/8260\/9215\/files\/matala-filter-media-default-title-matala-black-sq-ft-43287410245951.webp?v=1776379340","url":"https:\/\/gardenpondusa.com\/products\/matala-black-sqft","provider":"Ponds Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}