Bio-Plate - IceCap – Top Shelf Aquatics

$15.00

UPC: 6974415980650

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The IceCap Bio-Plate is a dense ceramic filtration brick measuring 4 x 4 x 3/4 inches, constructed from tightly packed small ceramic spheres with ultra-high surface area. It is rated for biological filtration in systems up to 375 gallons. The neutral pH (7–7.5) ceramic construction makes it suitable for freshwater, marine, and pond applications. It fits a wide range of filter configurations including sumps, wet/dry filters, canister filters, hang-on-back filters, and direct in-tank placement. A single plate ships per box, and additional plates can be stacked to scale filtration capacity.

The IceCap Bio-Plate provides biological filtration through a compact brick of densely packed ceramic spheres. The four-inch square, three-quarter-inch thick form factor keeps the footprint small while delivering the surface area needed to support large, stable populations of nitrifying bacteria — the core of any effective nitrogen cycle in freshwater or marine systems, and in ponds. Rated for tanks up to 375 gallons per plate, it can be scaled simply by adding more plates as your system's bioload demands.

The ceramic bead construction maintains a neutral pH between 7 and 7.5, avoiding any risk of chemical interference with water chemistry. Ceramic is also significantly more durable than plastic or foam alternatives and holds its porous structure far longer before needing replacement. IceCap recommends replacing the media every five years under normal use, with a light rinse and gentle scrub of surface debris once per year using tank water — not tap water, which can kill established bacterial colonies.

Placement is flexible. The Bio-Plate can be situated directly in the aquarium, in a sump, in wet/dry or trickle filters, or in a large hang-on-back filter. For faster colonization when setting up a new system, soaking the plate overnight in a bacterial culture such as Fauna Marin Bacto Blend before installation is recommended. One critical note: never clean or replace all biological media at once, as doing so will crash the nitrogen cycle regardless of how mature the system is.

The Bio-Plate is one format in IceCap's broader bio-media lineup, which also includes pellets, spheres, and an 8-inch plate. Mixing formats within a filter chamber can improve flow distribution and colonization surface diversity. Each box contains one 4-inch Bio-Plate.

Overview

Dense Media. Stable Biology.

A compact ceramic filtration plate engineered for high-capacity biological filtration across a range of tank sizes and filter types.

Ultra-High Surface Area
- Densely packed ceramic spheres maximize colonizable surface per square inch
- Supports large, stable nitrifying bacteria populations
- Rated for systems up to 375 gallons per plate
Versatile Placement
- Compatible with sumps, wet/dry filters, canister filters, and hang-on-back filters
- Can be placed directly in the aquarium or pond
- Stack multiple plates to scale filtration capacity
Durable, Long-Lasting Ceramic
- Neutral pH ceramic construction (7–7.5) won't affect water chemistry
- Recommended replacement interval of five years under normal use
- Annual light rinse with tank water maintains flow and performance

Features

4-Inch Plate, Single Per Box
Each box contains one IceCap Bio-Plate measuring 4 x 4 x 3/4 inches. The retail packaging confirms this is a single-unit SKU, with additional plates available for purchase to scale filtration capacity.
Mix and Match Media Formats
The Bio-Plate is part of IceCap's broader ceramic media lineup, which includes pellets, spheres, and an 8-inch plate. Combining multiple formats within a filter chamber can improve flow distribution and maximize bacterial colonization across the media bed.