{"product_id":"bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-foam-6-pack","title":"Bioscape 160L\/h Hanging Filter Replacement Foam (6 Pack)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow drops long before the foam looks dirty enough to change.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the genuine BIS530A replacement foam six-pack for the Bioscape Tropic \"Easy Clean\" 60 hang-on filter — the 160 L\/h model rated for aquariums of roughly 16 to 38 litres. Foam is the mechanical stage. It catches uneaten food, plant debris and waste while they are still solid, before they break down into ammonia and before they reach the carbon and bio balls behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat the foam stage actually protects\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a hang-on filter the foam sits first in the flow path, and everything behind it depends on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt protects the carbon.\u003c\/strong\u003e Carbon that clogs with silt is spent by muck rather than by the dissolved organics you bought it for, and it stops adsorbing early.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt protects the bio balls.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nitrifying bacteria need oxygenated water moving across them. A blocked foam starves that stage and the tank's ammonia processing slows with it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt protects the pump.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 3 W motor in this filter has very little reserve. Restriction shows up as a thinner waterfall at the outlet and a surface skimmer that stops pulling film.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt holds bacteria itself.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mature foam carries a real bacterial population, which is exactly why it should be rinsed rather than binned at the first sign of colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRinse, or replace?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the question the foam stage actually turns on, and the two answers are not interchangeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSituation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat to do\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoam is discoloured but still springs back when squeezed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRinse it in a container of aquarium water and put it back\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlow has dropped and recovers fully after a rinse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRinse it. The foam is doing its job\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlow recovers only briefly, or the foam stays compressed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReplace it. The pore structure has collapsed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoam is tearing, thinning at the edges, or no longer seals across the slot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReplace it. Debris is bypassing the stage entirely\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoam has been rinsed in chlorinated tap water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep using it, but expect the bacteria on it to be gone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBioscape does not publish a fixed replacement interval for the Tropic hang-on media. In practice a foam rinsed in tank water at each water change will run for several months before it stops recovering, which is why the pack contains six rather than one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePart number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBIS530A\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBIS530A\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack contents\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 replacement filter foams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFits\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBioscape Tropic Easy Clean 60 Hang-On Filter, 160 L\/h (BIS530)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHost filter rating\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAquariums approximately 16 to 38 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHost filter power\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMechanical filtration, first in the flow path\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eService\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRinse in aquarium water; replace when it no longer recovers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater and marine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich hang-on filter do I have?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tropic \"Easy Clean\" range covers three sizes and each takes its own foam. The flow rate is printed on the filter body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFilter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFlow\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAquarium range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFoam pack\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropic Easy Clean 60\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e160 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16 to 38 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBIS530A — this page\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropic Easy Clean 80\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e320 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38 to 75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-320l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-foam-6-pack\"\u003eBIS531A\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropic Easy Clean 100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e72 to 110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-450l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-foam-6-pack\"\u003eBIS532A\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe three media stages in the 160 L\/h filter\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCode\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMedia\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eService\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBIS530A (this page)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFilter foam, 6 pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMechanical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRinse in tank water; replace when it stops recovering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-carbon-cartridge-2-pack\"\u003eBIS530B\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarbon cartridge, 2 pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChemical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReplace on a calendar, not on appearance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-bio-balls-1-pack\"\u003eBIS530C\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBio balls, 1 pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBiological\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRinse in tank water only; no replacement schedule\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBioscape Tropic Easy Clean 60 hang-on filters, 160 L\/h, freshwater or marine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBetta, shrimp and nano setups where a weak outlet flow is the first sign of trouble\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping several years of spares on hand in one purchase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 320 L\/h or 450 L\/h hang-on filters — use BIS531A or BIS532A\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBioscape PRO canisters, Tropic canisters or Velocity internal filters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemoving tannins, odours or medication — foam adsorbs nothing, that is the carbon cartridge's job\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing your biological filtration — the bio balls carry that load\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRinse in aquarium water, never under the tap.\u003c\/strong\u003e Chlorinated tap water kills the bacteria living in the foam. A jug of water siphoned out during a water change costs nothing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSqueeze, do not scrub.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two or three gentle squeezes clears the debris. Scrubbing tears the pore structure and shortens the foam's life considerably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever change the foam and the carbon in the same week.\u003c\/strong\u003e On a 16 to 38 litre tank there is very little water to buffer the loss of two stages at once. Space the jobs apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed a new foam if you can.\u003c\/strong\u003e Running a fresh foam alongside the old one for a week or two lets bacteria colonise it before the old one comes out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck the intake if flow does not recover.\u003c\/strong\u003e A blocked intake slot or a snail lodged in the impeller housing produces the same symptom as a clogged foam.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-carbon-cartridge-2-pack\"\u003eBioscape 160L\/h Hanging Filter Carbon Cartridge 2 Pack (BIS530B)\u003c\/a\u003e — the chemical stage sitting behind this foam.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-bio-balls-1-pack\"\u003eBioscape 160L\/h Hanging Filter Bio Balls (BIS530C)\u003c\/a\u003e — the biological stage the foam exists to keep clear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-premium-fine-filter-wool-32-x-12-x-02cm-sheets-6-pack\"\u003eBioscape Premium Fine Filter Wool 6 Pack\u003c\/a\u003e — cut-to-fit sheet wool for adding a polishing layer in the same chamber.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-tropic-easy-clean-hang-on-filter\"\u003eBioscape Tropic Easy Clean Hang-On Filter\u003c\/a\u003e — the filter range these foams are cut for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBioscape warrants the Tropic Easy Clean hang-on filters for 1 year. Filter media is a consumable and is not covered by that term. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply to this product and are not limited by any manufacturer's warranty. Ships as a standard parcel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many foams are in the BIS530A pack?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix. BIS530A is supplied as a six-pack of replacement filter foams for the Bioscape Tropic Easy Clean 60 hang-on filter, which for most nano tanks is several years of spares.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShould I rinse the foam or replace it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse it while it still springs back after a squeeze and while flow fully recovers afterwards. Replace it once it stays compressed, tears, or when flow drops again within days of a rinse. A collapsed foam restricts the pump without filtering, which is the worst of both outcomes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow often does the foam need cleaning?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBioscape publishes no fixed interval for the Tropic hang-on media. Rinsing the foam in tank water at every water change suits most 16 to 38 litre setups. Heavily fed tanks, shrimp tanks with a lot of botanicals, and tanks with a messy eater will need it more often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I wash the foam under the tap?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is better not to. Chlorinated tap water kills the nitrifying bacteria living in the foam, and on a tank this small that colony matters. Rinse it in a container of water taken from the aquarium instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill BIS530A fit my 320 or 450 L\/h Bioscape hang-on filter?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The 320 L\/h Tropic Easy Clean 80 takes BIS531A and the 450 L\/h Tropic Easy Clean 100 takes BIS532A. The foams are cut to each filter's chamber and are not interchangeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I still need the carbon and bio balls if the foam is clean?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Foam only traps solids. It has no effect on dissolved organics, tannins or medication residue, and it is not designed to sustain the bacterial colony that converts ammonia. All three stages do different jobs in this filter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bioscape","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293065429283,"sku":"BIS530A","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filt-43179165679907.webp?v=1790234720","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/bioscape-160l-h-hanging-filter-replacement-foam-6-pack","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}