{"product_id":"bioscape-bioscape-tropic-air-pump-500-single-wcheck-valve","title":"Bioscape Tropic Air Pump 500 Single w\/Check Valve","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA quiet single-outlet air pump sized for tanks up to 45 litres.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Bioscape Tropic Air Pump 500 (BIS50) runs one airline at a steady 30 L\/h, enough for a single airstone, sponge filter or bubbling ornament in a nano to small community tank, and it ships with a check valve fitted to stop water siphoning back into the pump if the power cuts out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e30 L\/h rated output\u003c\/strong\u003e — enough for one airstone or sponge filter in tanks up to about 45 L.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSingle outlet\u003c\/strong\u003e — one airline in, one airline out; no manifold or splitter needed for a single-stone setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck valve included\u003c\/strong\u003e — fitted in-line to stop tank water siphoning back into the pump body during a power outage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiaphragm motor\u003c\/strong\u003e — runs continuously without oil changes or servicing, built for 24-hour aquarium duty rather than intermittent use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater and marine safe\u003c\/strong\u003e — the pump only moves air, not water, so it's safe to run on either water type.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBioscape Tropic Air Pump 500\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel \/ SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBIS50\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRated air output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 L\/h (0.5 L\/min)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutlets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCheck valves included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended tank size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 45 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower supply\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAustralian mains, 230–240 V AC, 50 Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater and marine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eManufacturer warranty against defects — see Warranty section\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePerformance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 L\/h is the rated output measured at the pump's normal operating depth in a standard aquarium. Bioscape does not publish a full output-against-depth or back-pressure curve for this model, so we can't show how output falls as airline depth increases — as a rule of thumb on any diaphragm pump, expect noticeably less flow once the airstone sits deeper than about 40–50 cm, which lines up with the 45 L tank size Bioscape rates it for.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich Tropic air pump do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Tropic range runs from this single-outlet 500 up to the quad-outlet 8000. For a single small tank, stick with a single-outlet model matched to your tank size. Once you're running more than one airline — a sponge filter and an ornament, or more than one tank on the same shelf — a multi-outlet pump like the Tropic 8000 is the better buy, since splitting one single-outlet pump across two airlines with a manifold halves the output to each.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTropic 500\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTropic 8000\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutlets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRated output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 L\/h\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e720 L\/h (12 L\/min) across 4 outlets, adjustable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended tank size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 45 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100–600 L, or multiple smaller tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCheck valves included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable for a single airstone, sponge filter or bubbling ornament in a freshwater or marine tank up to about 45 L. Not suitable as the sole aeration for multiple tanks or multiple airlines — for that, step up to a multi-outlet model such as the Tropic 8000.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe pump body and one in-line check valve. It does not include airline tubing, an airstone, a control valve or a manifold — add these separately if you don't already have them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMains-powered — keep the pump above the waterline at all times and never submerge it. The included check valve is the primary defence against back-siphon during a power cut, but Bioscape and we both recommend also sitting the pump higher than the water surface as a second layer of protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAirline tubing\u003c\/strong\u003e — needed to connect the pump to an airstone or sponge filter; not included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAirstone or air diffuser\u003c\/strong\u003e — turns the air output into fine bubbles for better gas exchange.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSponge filter\u003c\/strong\u003e — a common pairing for nano and breeding tanks, driven by this pump's single outlet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControl valve\u003c\/strong\u003e — lets you throttle output below the pump's rated 30 L\/h if it's louder or bubblier than you want.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovered by Bioscape's manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a small parcel item.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWill this run an airstone and a sponge filter at the same time?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot well from a single outlet — splitting the 30 L\/h output across two airlines reduces flow to each. For two airlines, use a twin-outlet Tropic pump instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDo I need the check valve if the pump sits above the tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eSitting the pump above the waterline already reduces the risk, but the included check valve is a second layer of protection and should stay fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs it loud?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBioscape markets the Tropic range as quiet-running; like any diaphragm pump it will develop a faint hum over time as the diaphragm wears, at which point a diaphragm\/valve service kit (where available) is the fix rather than the whole unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it in a marine or reef tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — it only pumps air, not water, so it's safe for both freshwater and marine setups.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bioscape","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54774335471907,"sku":"BIS50","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/BIS50_9.jpg?v=1782868970","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/bioscape-bioscape-tropic-air-pump-500-single-wcheck-valve","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}