{"product_id":"orca-50x50cm-black-foam","title":"Orca 50x50cm Black Foam","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne sheet cuts to fit almost any filter, sump or DIY build.\u003c\/strong\u003e This Orca black filter foam is a 50 x 50 cm sheet available in 4 cm or 6 cm thickness, sized to trim into canister baskets, sump baffles, hang-on-back filters and sponge filter housings. It gives mechanical and biological filtration in a single material, and because it's sold as a full sheet rather than a shaped cartridge, one sheet typically replaces several branded pre-cut inserts over the life of a filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e50 x 50 cm sheet\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut to the exact shape your filter needs, with offcuts kept for the next change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo thicknesses\u003c\/strong\u003e — 4 cm for lighter mechanical duty, 6 cm where you want more media volume and more surface for bacteria to colonise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical and biological filtration together\u003c\/strong\u003e — traps floating debris while giving bacteria somewhere to live.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits most filter types\u003c\/strong\u003e — canister baskets, sumps, hang-on-back filters, internal filters and DIY sponge filters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBetter value than pre-cut cartridges\u003c\/strong\u003e — one sheet can replace several branded inserts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e4 cm sheet\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e6 cm sheet\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAA3623\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAA3622\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBarcode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9325466005385\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9325466005392\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSheet size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 x 50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 x 50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThickness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh and marine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh and marine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich thickness do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 4 cm sheet suits smaller canister baskets and hang-on-back filters where space is tight and mechanical duty is light. The 6 cm sheet suits larger sumps and heavier bioloads, and gives enough depth to cut and replace half the sheet at a time so the filter never loses its whole bacterial colony in one change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for canister filters, sumps, hang-on-back filters, internal filters and home-built sponge filters, in both freshwater and marine tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot suitable as a rigid pre-shaped cartridge replacement — this foam has no frame, so filters that rely on a moulded cartridge to seal against bypass may need the sheet packed firmly rather than dropped in loose. In a heavily stocked marine system it's best paired with a dedicated biomedia rather than used as the only biological stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse in water taken from the tank during a water change, not tap water — tap water's chlorine or chloramine will kill the bacteria living in the foam. Replace gradually: cut and swap a portion of the sheet at a time rather than the whole thing, so the filter keeps most of its bacterial colony through each change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bioscape-bioscape-carbon-extraction-pad-25-x-45cm\"\u003eBioscape Carbon Extraction Pad 25 x 45cm\u003c\/a\u003e — add a chemical filtration stage alongside the mechanical and biological work this foam does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-prime\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — dechlorinate top-up water before it reaches newly rinsed foam.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seachem-algae-scraper\"\u003eSeachem Algae Scraper\u003c\/a\u003e — keep the glass clear between the longer intervals a full sheet allows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a cut-to-size filtration consumable and isn't covered by a separate manufacturer warranty; your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply regardless. It ships as a standard parcel item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I cut it to any shape?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It's sold as a flat sheet specifically so you can trim it to fit your filter basket, sump baffle or DIY build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it affect my water chemistry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It's an inert filtration foam and won't change pH or hardness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do I know when to replace it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it stays clogged and slows flow even after a rinse in tank water, or when it's visibly compressed and torn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it's suitable for both freshwater and marine systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShould I buy the 4 cm or 6 cm sheet?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose 4 cm for smaller filters with light mechanical duty, and 6 cm for larger sumps or heavier bioloads where you want more media depth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Orca","offers":[{"title":"4cm","offer_id":55242240491811,"sku":"AA3623","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"6cm","offer_id":55335351910691,"sku":"AA3622","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/orca-50x50cm-black-foam","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}