IceCap Bio-Cylinder Pellet, 1kg
SKU: IC-BIOCLD-1
MSRP: $ 19,62
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Fused Ceramic Sphere Matrix: Formed from a dense, porous network of microscopic ceramic beads that creates thousands of micro-tunnels for massive bacterial colonization.
- Exceptional Surface-to-Volume Ratio: Each individual 3/4-inch cylindrical pellet supplies sufficient standalone biological filtration capacity for up to 5 gallons of water volume.
- Massive Full-Box Coverage: The 1KG retail package packs approximately 145 highly condensed pellets, combined to support setups up to 750 liquid gallons.
- Completely Neutral pH Stability: Formulated from fully cured, inert ceramic materials that anchor safely within a neutral pH range (7.0–7.5) without altering structural chemistry.
- Universal Placement Adaptability: Compact 3/5-inch by 3/5-inch structural shape allows you to drop, stack, or pack the cylinders into sumps, trickles, canisters, or media cups.
- Complimentary Enclosure Bag: Ships standard with a durable drawstring mesh media containment bag to streamline routine maintenance and fast box placement.
IceCap
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IceCap Bio-Cylinder Biological Filter Media 1KG (IC-BCYL-1KG)
The IceCap Bio-Cylinder Biological Filter Media 1KG (SKU: IC-BCYL-1KG) is an authentic, premium-tier bacterial colonization substrate distributed by CoralVue to establish an unshakeable biological foundation in both freshwater and marine aquarium environments. In closed aquatic systems, managing the nitrogen cycle is paramount to livestock survival. Fish respiration, organic detritus, and lingering uneaten food continuously decay into highly toxic ammonia and nitrites. Traditional plastic bio-balls or smooth glass rings provide limited surface areas, often clogging quickly and failing to support the massive populations of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria required for high-load bio-export. The IC-BCYL-1KG resolves this structural bottleneck by providing an extraordinarily vast, deeply porous internal labyrinth within a compact, space-saving design.
Rather than relying on basic molded clay or extruded stone, IceCap utilizes an advanced manufacturing matrix that clusters thousands of microscopic ceramic beads together into a rugged 3/4-inch cylinder shape. This open-cell architecture ensures that water passes entirely through each pellet rather than flowing solely over the outer skin, eliminating stagnant dead zones and multiplying the active surface area exponentially. Measuring just 3/5" x 3/5" per cylinder, this heavy-duty bio-media can easily be packed into high-flow areas like under-cabinet sumps, trickle filters, heavy canister baskets, wet/dry towers, or rear multi-stage chambers of nano all-in-one tanks. Chemically inert and highly durable, it provides a stable biological filter that safely processes waste without leaching altering silicates, shifting critical KH values, or degrading under high water pressure.
Key Features
Prohibits Biological Crash Down: The ultra-porous internal bead profile provides deep micro-cavities that shield biological colonies from complete die-offs during harsh equipment wipe-downs.
Eliminates Nitrate Trapping: Exceptional through-flow geometry allows physical waste to drift completely past the cylinders rather than packing tightly inside, preventing hidden detritus traps.
Optimized for Liquid Pre-Seeding: High-wicking porous structure instantly draws in concentrated starter strains during pre-submersion prep to jumpstart newly cycling aquariums.
(Note: This biological media item includes one 1KG box containing approximately 145 Bio-Cylinder pellets and one drawstring mesh containment bag. Mechanical pre-filtration padding and biological booster cultures are sold separately).
What’s Included:
(1) 1KG Box of IceCap Bio-Cylinder Biological Filter Media Pellets (~145 pieces)
(1) Heavy-Duty Mesh Material Drawstring Media Enclosure Bag
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap Bio-Cylinder 1kg
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-BCYL-1KG
Individual Cylinder Dimensions: 3/5" x 3/5" (~0.60 Inches x 0.60 Inches / ~15mm x 15mm)
Net Material Unit Volume Mass: 1 Kilogram (2.2 lbs) dry retail configuration
Single Pellet Filtration Threshold: Rated for up to 5 Standard Gallons per Cylinder
Total Box Filtration Capacity: Treats up to 750 Standard Liquid Gallons (2,839 Liters) Max
Structural Chemical pH Matrix: 7.0–7.5 Inert Neutral Rating Profile
System Operational Compatibility: Safe for Freshwater, Marine Reefs, Brackets, and Outdoor Ponds
- Unbox your IceCap Bio-Cylinders and pour the pellets into the provided mesh media bag, pulling the drawstring taut to lock the pieces inside.
- Thoroughly rinse the media bag under a high-pressure freshwater tap or inside a bucket of clean reverse osmosis (RO) water to clear out any dust generated during shipping transit. Do not use soap or chemical detergents.
- For accelerated biological cycling, place the rinsed media bag inside a clean container and pour in your preferred bacterial starter culture (such as Fauna Marin Bacto Blend), letting the cylinders soak overnight to fully absorb the bacteria.
- Place the media bag directly into your filtration stream. Ideal zones include aquarium sumps, media filters, canister baskets, trickle towers, or right beneath your mechanical filter sock holders.
- Ensure a consistent flow of oxygenated, pre-filtered water streams smoothly across and through the cylinder stack to sustain the biological colonies.
- Clean and maintain the bio-filtration array every 12 months by pulling the media bag out and gently swishing it inside a bucket filled with salvaged tank water to dislodge light surface mulm.
Pro Tips:
- Never Clean or Replace Your Entire Bio-Media Bed All at Once. Your biological media houses the primary life-support colonies of your aquarium. If you scrub the cylinders aggressively under hot chlorinated tap water, or replace the entire 1KG box at the same time, you will instantly sanitize and wipe out your beneficial nitrifying bacterial populations. This can trigger a catastrophic biological collapse known as "New Tank Syndrome," causing lethal ammonia spikes. Always rinse the media gently using drained tank water during a routine water change, and only replace up to 25% of the pellets per year if they show physical signs of breakdown.
- Always Route Your Water Through a Mechanical Filter Pad Before It Hits the Bio-Cylinders. To keep your Bio-Cylinders performing at peak biological efficiency for years, ensure they are positioned after your mechanical pre-filters (such as filter socks, roller mats, or coarse foam sponges). If raw, unfiltered aquarium water dumps directly onto the ceramic cylinders, free-floating fish feces, uneaten food, and heavy plant detritus will quickly coat the porous exterior surface. This physically seals off the micro-tunnels, starving the underlying bacterial colonies of vital oxygen and dissolved nutrients.
- Gently Swish the Media Bag in Old Tank Water During Water Changes to Maintain Maximum Flow. Over months of continuous operation, a thin layer of natural bacterial biofilm and micro-detritus will form over the cylinders. While some biofilm is necessary, a heavy accumulation can slow down water penetration. During your regular water changes, lift the mesh bag out of your sump and dunk it up and down a few times inside your bucket of discarded tank water. This easily sheds excess debris and keeps the internal micro-tunnels clear without exposing the sensitive bacteria to shocking temperature shifts or damaging chlorine.