IceCap Ammonia Removal Pad
SKU: IC-ARP
MSRP: $ 13,85
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Infused Chemical Core Architecture: Impregnated with high-capacity, ammonia-selective absorbing resin particles that actively draw toxic molecules out of the water path.
- Fully Customizable Sheet Matrix: Oversized 18 by 10-inch sheet can be sliced down with household scissors to fit any cartridge frame, media basket, or sump baffle layout.
- Dual-Action Particulate Trapping: Rigid fiber weave doubles as a mechanical pre-filter, trapping floating particulate debris while simultaneously providing chemical absorption.
- Emergency Ammonia Spike Defense: Perfect for newly cycling systems, heavily stocked aquariums, or sudden fish-loss emergencies to stabilize water quality.
- Safe for All Aquatic Lifecycles: Formulated with non-leaching components that will not shift your structural pH or introduce synthetic pollutants into the column.
- Optimized Flow-Through Porosity: Designed to prevent premature water bypass, ensuring maximum contact time across the active resin surface area.
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IceCap Cut-to-Fit Ammonia Removal Pad (IC-ARP-1810)
The IceCap Cut-to-Fit Ammonia Removal Pad (SKU: IC-ARP-1810) is an authentic, chemical-remedial filtration layer distributed by CoralVue to protect sensitive aquatic livestock from sudden, lethal spikes of ionized and un-ionized ammonia (NH4+ and NH3). In closed aquarium environments, fish waste, uneaten food, and decaying organic detritus continuously break down into toxic waste byproducts. If a system undergoes a sudden biological filter collapse (such as a power outage killing off beneficial bacteria) or experiences a heavy stocking influx, ammonia levels can spike dramatically, causing gill damage, respiratory distress, and swift livestock loss. The IC-ARP-1810 steps in as an active defense layer, utilizing embedded, specialized resin binders that pull these dangerous compounds right out of the circulating water column.
This versatile chemical pad features a dense, structurally rigid fiber weave matrix that measures a generous 18 by 10 inches out of the box. Rather than buying overpriced, proprietary replacement cartridges for your specific brand of hang-on-back, internal, or canister filters, you can use the original cartridge as a template and cut this pad to shape using standard kitchen scissors. As water forces its way through the dense fiber network, the pad acts as a mechanical sieve to trap free-floating detritus while the infused resin particles exchange targeted ions to trap dissolved nitrogenous waste. It serves as an excellent temporary water clarifier for moving fish, setting up new quarantine facilities, or stabilizing a newly established aquarium display during its initial break-in phase.
Key Features
Mitigates New Tank Syndrome: Acts as a chemical safety net during the first few weeks of a new aquarium setup while your biological nitrifying bacterial colonies are still colonizing the rockwork.
Zero Chemical Leaching: Once the embedded resins capture and bind the ammonia molecules, they lock them securely within the pad's structural core, preventing them from back-leaching into your system if the pad becomes fully saturated.
Extends Life of Fine Polishing Pads: Placed early in your multi-stage media flow, the pad's fibrous profile catches coarse waste, preventing fine-gauge polishing fleece from clogging prematurely.
(Note: This filtration item includes one 18x10-inch treated chemical pad sheet. For long-term nutrient management, it is designed to be used alongside standard biological media blocks and routine partial water changes).
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap 18" x 10" Ammonia Removal Chemical Infused Filter Pad Sheet
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap Ammonia Removal Pad
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-ARP-1810
Uncut Pad Dimensions: 18 Inches x 10 Inches x 0.5 Inches (45.72 cm x 25.40 cm x 1.27 cm)
Primary Target Target Pollutant: Dissolved Free Ammonia (NH3) and Ammonium (NH4+)
Construction Material Matrix: Resin-Impregnated Non-Woven Synthetic Polyester Fiber
Aquarium Compatibility System Profile: Safe for both Fresh and Marine/Saltwater setups
Usage Classification Indicator: Temporary/Emergency single-use chemical absorption media
- Remove the IceCap ammonia pad from its protective outer clear film wrapper. Do not pre-rinse the pad with tap water, as this can prematurely deplete a tiny portion of the specialized surface resin before it enters your tank.
- Take your existing filter cartridge or media basket tray, lay it flat on top of the 18x10-inch sheet, and use it as a structural guide to trace your target cut lines.
- Slice the pad precisely to size using clean, sharp household scissors or a utility blade. Save any excess trimmings for use in smaller nano filters or grounding cups.
- Insert the newly cut pad into your filter's media flow path. Crucial orientation: Always position this pad AFTER your coarse mechanical sponge and BEFORE your biological rings or fine chemical resins.
- Turn on your filtration pump. Monitor the pad for the first 24 hours to ensure that water is flowing directly through the fiber faceplate rather than bypassing or overflowing around the edges of the media tray.
- Replace the pad entirely every 2 to 4 weeks, or immediately following an aquarium emergency once your liquid chemical test kits indicate that your ammonia levels have safely dropped back to 0 ppm.
Pro Tips:
- Position this Pad Behind Your Coarse Mechanical Sponge to Maximize its Chemical Lifespan. Never place a fresh ammonia pad as the very first line of defense where raw water directly exits the tank. If large fish droppings, loose plant leaves, or heavy debris coat the front face of the pad, they will physically block the water from contacting the embedded chemical resin particles underneath. By placing a standard coarse foam sponge or filter floss ahead of the ammonia pad, you catch the heavy physical mud first, allowing the ammonia pad to focus 100% of its surface area on pulling out dissolved chemical toxins.
- Do Not Rely on Chemical Absorption Pads as a Permanent Replacement for Biological Bacteria. While the IceCap ammonia removal pad is an exceptional tool for saving fish during an emergency spike, moving day, or a heavy feeding event, it should not be left in an aquarium indefinitely to bypass proper tank cycling. A healthy aquarium requires active colonies of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria to naturally process ammonia into nitrite and nitrate. Use this pad to blunt dangerous peaks and protect your livestock, but continue dosing beneficial bacterial starters to build a stable, self-sustaining biological ecosystem.
- Always Monitor Your Test Kits to Know Exactly When the Pad is Exhausted. Unlike carbon or sediment pads that visibly change from crisp white to deep brown when they are dirty, chemical absorption resins look exactly the same when they are brand new as they do when they are 100% full. The only way to accurately know if your pad has reached its maximum binding capacity is to test your water parameters. Use a quality liquid test kit daily during an ammonia emergency; if your ammonia numbers begin to creep upward again, it means the pad's active resin sites are fully locked out and the sheet needs to be replaced.