Matala EZ Bio 20 Pre-Filter – Biological & Mechanical Pond Prefilter
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Description
The Matala EZ Bio 20 Pre-Filter (SKU 99990, MPN EZBIO20) is a double-core biomechanical pre-filter for pond pumps up to 3,405 GPH. It fits directly on the intake of most submersible pond pumps, protecting the impeller from debris while simultaneously providing biological filtration surface area for beneficial bacteria colonization. The progressive dual-density construction — coarser outer Green core catching large debris first, finer inner Gray core capturing fine particles — delivers two-stage mechanical and biological filtration in a compact 8" × 8" unit.
The EZ Bio 20 is expandable: multiple units can be chained together via the 1.5" male/female threaded ends on the internal slotted pipe, allowing you to increase biological surface area as your pond matures. Universal barbed adapters are included for connection to 1"–1-1/2" tubing. Cleaning is done by dunking the media cores in a bucket of pond water — preserving the beneficial bacteria colonies that make the biological filtration effective.
Key Features & Benefits
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 99990 (Matala MPN: EZBIO20) |
| Configuration | Double Core (EZ Bio 20) |
| Maximum Pump Flow | 3,405 GPH |
| Dimensions | ~8” diameter × 8” length |
| Filter Body Inlet | 1-1/2” FPT (Female Pipe Thread) |
| Filtration Type | Mechanical + Biological (two-stage) |
| Outer Core | Green Matala media, 8” dia × 7.5” (coarser — captures large debris) |
| Inner Core | Gray Matala media, 4” dia × 7.5” (finer — captures fine particles) |
| Modular Connection | 1.5” male thread on one pipe end, 1.5” female on other — can chain multiple units |
| Cleaning Method | Dunk cores vigorously in bucket of POND WATER — never tap/chlorinated water |
| Replacement Media | Available: Gray core 4”dia × 7.5” and Green core 8”dia × 7.5” (sold separately) |
Connection Options — What's Included
| Connection Type | Details | Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Direct pump connection | 1-1/2” MPT adapter fits into filter's 1-1/2” FPT inlet — direct mount to most pump outlets | ✓ Yes (1-1/2” MPT adapter) |
| 1-1/2” ID tubing | Barbed fitting for 1-1/2” inside diameter flexible tubing | ✓ Yes |
| 1-1/4” ID tubing | Barbed fitting for 1-1/4” inside diameter flexible tubing | ✓ Yes |
| 1” ID tubing | Barbed fitting for 1” inside diameter flexible tubing | ✓ Yes |
EZ Bio Series Comparison
| Model | Cores | Dimensions | Max GPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZ Bio 11 (EZBIO11) | Single core | 4-5/16” × 7-7/8” | 1,980 GPH |
| EZ Bio 20 ← This (EZBIO20) | Double core | 8” × 8” | 3,405 GPH |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Matala EZ Bio 20 improve pond pump performance?
The EZ Bio 20 acts as a biomechanical pre-filter that simultaneously protects and enhances pump performance:
- Mechanical protection: The dual-density Matala media captures debris before it reaches the impeller. The coarser outer Green core intercepts large debris first; the finer inner Gray core captures fine particles. This prevents impeller wear, jamming, and the flow reduction that occurs when debris bypasses the factory intake guard.
- Biological filtration: Matala's structured open-cell media provides enormous colonization surface for beneficial bacteria. As water flows through continuously, these bacteria process ammonia and contribute to the nitrogen cycle — turning the pre-filter into a biological treatment stage, not just a debris screen.
What is the maximum GPH flow rate for the EZ Bio 20?
The EZ Bio 20 is rated for pumps up to 3,405 GPH maximum. For context, the smaller EZ Bio 11 (single core) handles up to 1,980 GPH. If your pump exceeds 3,405 GPH, the EZ Bio 20 will experience rapid media loading and reduced flow — consider using multiple EZ Bio 20 units in parallel or switching to a larger pre-filter system.
For best biological filtration performance, some reduction in flow rate allows bacteria more contact time with the water. Operating at 50–70% of maximum rated flow generally provides a good balance of pump performance and biological efficiency.
Is the Matala EZ Bio 20 modular or expandable?
Yes — the EZ Bio 20 is designed for expansion. The internal slotted pipe that holds the media cores has a 1.5" male thread on one end and a 1.5" female thread on the other. This allows you to screw two or more units together (connecting male end to female end), extending the total media length and biological surface area. This expandability is particularly useful when adding fish to a pond and needing more biological filtration capacity without replacing the pump or installing a completely separate filter system.
What pump connections does the EZ Bio 20 support?
The EZ Bio 20 filter body has a 1-1/2" FPT (Female Pipe Thread) inlet. Included in the box are adapters that allow connection to:
- 1-1/2" MPT pump outlet: Most submersible pond pump outlets are 1-1/2" MPT — the included MPT adapter screws directly into the filter's FPT inlet, allowing direct mounting on the pump
- 1-1/2", 1-1/4", or 1" ID flexible tubing: Barbed adapters allow the filter to be placed at a distance from the pump via flexible tubing
Note: the filter body's connection is FPT (female) — do not attempt to connect two MPT fittings together.
How do I clean the EZ Bio 20 without killing beneficial bacteria?
Cleaning is straightforward but the method matters critically:
- Fill a bucket with pond water — not tap water. Chlorine and chloramines in tap water will kill the beneficial bacteria colonized on the media, eliminating the biological filtration and requiring weeks for new colonies to re-establish.
- Remove the filter from the pump and disassemble: unthread the black top cap, pull the media cores off the white inner pipe.
- Vigorously dunk each media core in the bucket of pond water, repeating until debris is dislodged.
- Spray wash the white plastic inner pipe with tap water (the hard plastic doesn't host significant bacteria colonization).
- Reassemble and reattach to pump.
How often? Frequency depends on your fish load and organic debris level. In high-load ponds, weekly cleaning may be needed initially; well-established ponds with stable biology often go 2–4 weeks between cleanings.
Why Buy from Pond Pro Direct?
- Authentic Matala products — genuine filter media and components
- Expert pond filtration 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
Price Match
At Pond Pro Direct, we want you to shop with confidence, knowing you’re always getting a good deal.
We will match or beat the lowest online price on its products.
If you find a lower price for any products on our store, we will beat it by $50 for products listed over $2000. In order to be eligible, you must provide proof, whether a screenshot, invoice, email, etc. of the lower offer.
Please note that this does not apply to every product in the store, so reach out via email or chat for confirmation before purchasing.
For the policy to apply, simply send us a screenshot, link, or any other proof of the lower price.
For more information, please check out Price Match Policy Page
Shipping & Delivery
Order Processing
Orders are processed within 1–5 business days, depending on product type, brand, and fulfillment method. Products sold on Pond Pro Direct ship directly from manufacturers or authorized distribution partners and do not ship from a single centralized warehouse.
Processing times may vary by brand, item type, fulfillment method, and whether an item is made to order or ships via freight.
Order Confirmation
After placing your order, you will receive an order confirmation email confirming that we have received your order and pre-authorized your payment method.
Once your order is received, we contact the manufacturer or distribution partner to confirm availability and fulfillment timelines.
- If an item is unavailable or on backorder, we will notify you by email and void the pre-authorization.
- If the item is available, the payment will be processed and the order submitted for shipment.
Order Shipment
If your order is in stock and payment is processed, it will typically ship within 6–13 business days. Once your order ships, tracking information (when available) will be sent to the email address provided at checkout.
If you do not receive shipping confirmation within 6 business days, please contact us at support@pondprodirect.com.
Shipping Destinations
At this time, we primarily ship within the United States. Some products may be available for shipment to Canada. If the website allows checkout and accepts your shipping address, the product is eligible for delivery to that location.
Changing Your Shipping Address
Address changes after an order has been processed or shipped may result in delays or additional carrier fees. Any carrier charges associated with address changes are the responsibility of the customer.
Shipping Times
All shipping times are estimates only and not guarantees.
- Typical handling time: 1–5 business days
- Typical transit time after shipment: 5–8 business days
- Estimated delivery window: 6–13 business days
Delivery timelines may vary based on brand, item type, production status, freight requirements, and carrier availability.
If an order is cancelled after it has been processed or shipped, the customer may be responsible for applicable shipping charges, freight fees, carrier return fees, and warehouse handling costs, where applicable.
Shipping Options
Available shipping options vary by product and location.
Our standard Curbside Delivery option is provided at no additional cost where applicable and delivers the item to the curbside or driveway of the delivery address.
Additional options, such as Threshold Delivery or White Glove Delivery, may be available for select products and locations.
For full details regarding freight delivery, inspection requirements, liftgate service, returns, and customer responsibilities, please review our full Shipping Policy page.
Returns & Refunds
Cancellations & Refunds
Orders may be canceled free of charge before shipment, unless the item is classified as Custom or Made-to-Order (see below).
If you have questions about your order, please contact us at support@pondprodirect.com or call (765) 508-4352 during business hours.
Cancellations (Before Order Ships)
If you need to cancel an order before it ships, please contact us as soon as possible. Orders canceled prior to shipment are eligible for a full refund.
You can reach our team by phone at (765) 508-4352, via live chat on our website, or by email at support@pondprodirect.com.
Cancellations (After Order Ships)
Once an order has shipped or entered fulfillment, it may no longer be eligible for cancellation. If you no longer wish to keep the item, you must wait until delivery and then request a return.
A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) is required before returning any item.
Custom or Made-to-Order Items
Custom or made-to-order products are produced specifically for your order and cannot be canceled or refunded once production has begun, except in cases of defect or error.
Product pages will clearly indicate when an item is custom or made-to-order. If you are unsure whether an item falls into this category, please contact us before placing your order.
Returns & Refunds
Returns are subject to the following conditions:
- Customers have 30 days from delivery to request a return, unless otherwise stated on the product page or by manufacturer policy
- Items must be unused, uninstalled, and in original packaging
- An RMA is required prior to returning any item
Because we ship products directly from manufacturers, return eligibility may vary by brand. If a manufacturer does not permit returns on a specific product, we may be unable to accept the return. Please contact us if you would like confirmation of return eligibility for a specific item.
Fees & Shipping Costs
- Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the item is defective or shipped in error
- Freight / LTL shipments may incur higher return shipping costs due to carrier fees
- Approved returns of non-defective items may be subject to a restocking fee of up to 25%
- Original outbound shipping charges are non-refundable
If you are exchanging an item rather than returning it outright, we may be able to assist with some costs depending on the product and manufacturer.
For full details, including freight deliveries, damage reporting requirements, and manufacturer-specific terms, please review our complete Return and Refund Policy
