Media, Mats & Brushes

Filter media is what sits inside your pond filter and does most of the clean-up work. The right media gives beneficial bacteria a home, catches debris before it clogs your pump, and helps keep your water clear and your fish healthy.

Below you will find honeycomb bacteria housing, filter brushes, bio balls and OASE Hel-X biomedia, with plain-English advice on which one suits your pond and how to use it.

Which one do I need?

A porous, honeycomb-style bacteria house (5.5cm x 16cm per piece) that gives beneficial bacteria plenty of room to settle. Best for: adding extra bacteria space to an existing filter chamber at a low cost per piece.

Stainless steel wire brushes (12cm x 60cm, pack of 10) that catch leaves and debris first, while also giving bacteria a surface to grow on. Best for: the first stage of your filter, protecting everything that comes after it.

PondMAX 42mm bio balls, pack of 100, designed for both mechanical and biological filtration. Best for: a simple, familiar way to fill a filter chamber with bacteria-friendly surface.

Premium biomedia with a very large protected surface area (806 m² per m³) for bacteria to colonise. Suits moving bed and static filter chambers. Best for: koi ponds and heavily stocked ponds where you want maximum biological performance.

Mechanical and biological filtration: what is the difference?

Mechanical filtration catches the solid dirt you can see, such as leaves, fish waste and floating debris. Filter brushes and mats do this job.

Biological filtration deals with the waste you cannot see. Beneficial bacteria live on the surface of your media and break down harmful ammonia and nitrite. Honeycomb bacteria housing, bio balls and biomedia do this job. A healthy pond filter needs both, working in the right order.

Why good filter media makes such a difference

How to use filter media: 6 simple steps

Frequently asked questions

What is honeycomb bacteria housing?

It is a porous, honeycomb-style filter media that gives beneficial bacteria lots of surface area to live on. Some people call it a bacteria house. The bacteria break down ammonia and fish waste, which keeps your pond water clean and safe.

Do I need both filter brushes and biomedia?

For best results, yes. Brushes catch solid dirt first, and biomedia or bacteria housing handles the invisible waste. Brushes also grow some bacteria themselves, so they do a little of both jobs.

How much media does my pond need?

It depends on your pond size, how many fish you have and which filter you use. As a rule, more surface area is better, as long as water still flows freely. Check your filter manual, or call us on 1300 238 288 and we will help you work it out.

How often should I clean my filter media?

Only when water flow drops or the media looks clogged. Brushes and mats need cleaning more often than biomedia. Always use pond water, never tap water, and clean gently.

How long before new media starts working?

Bacteria need time to colonise new media, usually several weeks. Warm water speeds this up, and cold water slows it down. Adding a beneficial bacteria treatment can help.

Will this fit my pond filter?

Most media suits a wide range of filters, and OASE Hel-X 13 works in moving bed and static filter chambers. If you are unsure, send us your filter model and we will confirm. You can also browse our full range of pond filters.