Name: 2.2lbs Color Changing CO2 Absorbent Media - IceCap
Brand: IceCap
SKU: IC-CO-1KG
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock

2.2lbs Color Changing CO2 Absorbent Media - IceCap

Filter Media Filtration

$15.00

UPC: 6972809520833

Goes well with:

90 Day Returns

Reef Guard Covered

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IceCap CO2 Absorbent Media is a calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide-based pelletized media designed to remove excess dissolved CO2 from aquarium water, raising pH toward the reef-ideal target of 8.3. Elevated indoor CO2 levels — a common consequence of household air — dissolve into tank water and form carbonic acid, the primary driver of chronically low pH in most reef systems. This 2.2 lb bag connects into a CO2 reactor plumbed to your protein skimmer's air intake for continuous scrubbing. The media ships pink and turns white when exhausted, giving a clear, unambiguous replacement indicator. It cannot be regenerated and should be budgeted as a consumable, with typical replacement intervals around two weeks.

Elevated CO2 in indoor air is one of the most overlooked causes of persistently low pH in reef aquariums. As CO2 dissolves into tank water it forms carbonic acid, pulling pH down even when alkalinity is dialed in. IceCap CO2 Absorbent Media addresses this at the source by scrubbing CO2 from the air before it enters your system — typically by connecting a reactor inline with the air intake of a protein skimmer. The result is a measurable, often rapid increase in pH without dosing additional chemistry into the water column.

The media is formulated from calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a proven combination for CO2 absorption. Pellet sizing is optimized to reduce dust while maintaining sufficient surface area for effective gas exchange. Because the pellets are uniform and low-dust, they flow and pack predictably in most reactor chambers, reducing channeling and uneven exhaustion.

One of the most practical features of this media is its color-change indicator. Fresh media is pink; as it becomes exhausted it transitions to white. This removes guesswork from maintenance scheduling — rather than relying on a fixed calendar interval, you can confirm saturation visually before replacing. That said, a two-week replacement cycle is a reasonable baseline for most systems, and keeping a spare bag on hand prevents pH from drifting during a restock delay.

For hobbyists who have already ruled out alkalinity issues and still struggle to hold pH above 8.1 or 8.2, a CO2 scrubber setup is often the most direct solution. Fresh-air ventilation — opening a window or running an outdoor air intake — can help, but is weather-dependent and impractical in many homes year-round. A reactor running IceCap media offers a consistent, controllable alternative that works regardless of season or location. This 2.2 lb bag suits a single reactor and provides a meaningful runtime for most residential reef setups.

Overview

Scrub CO2. Raise pH.

A straightforward look at what this media does, how it signals when it's done, and what kind of systems it fits.

How It Works
- Absorbs excess CO2 from air drawn through a reactor or skimmer intake
- Converts CO2 before it dissolves into tank water as carbonic acid
- Raises aquarium pH toward the reef-optimal range of 8.3
Color-Change Indicator
- Ships pink; transitions to white as the media becomes exhausted
- Visual cue eliminates guesswork around replacement timing
- Once fully white, media is spent — it cannot be regenerated
Setup and Maintenance
- Fill reactor, connect output to skimmer air intake, monitor pH
- Pellet sizing minimizes dust and promotes consistent flow through reactor
- Plan for approximately two-week replacement cycles; keep spare media on hand