Orca 50x50cm Black Foam
One sheet cuts to fit almost any filter, sump or DIY build. 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.
Key features
- 50 x 50 cm sheet — cut to the exact shape your filter needs, with offcuts kept for the next change.
- Two thicknesses — 4 cm for lighter mechanical duty, 6 cm where you want more media volume and more surface for bacteria to colonise.
- Mechanical and biological filtration together — traps floating debris while giving bacteria somewhere to live.
- Fits most filter types — canister baskets, sumps, hang-on-back filters, internal filters and DIY sponge filters.
- Better value than pre-cut cartridges — one sheet can replace several branded inserts.
Specifications
| Spec | 4 cm sheet | 6 cm sheet |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | AA3623 | AA3622 |
| Barcode | 9325466005385 | 9325466005392 |
| Sheet size | 50 x 50 cm | 50 x 50 cm |
| Thickness | 4 cm | 6 cm |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| Water type | Fresh and marine | Fresh and marine |
Which thickness do I need?
The 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.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for canister filters, sumps, hang-on-back filters, internal filters and home-built sponge filters, in both freshwater and marine tanks.
Not 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.
Care and maintenance
Rinse 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.
Goes well with
- Bioscape Carbon Extraction Pad 25 x 45cm — add a chemical filtration stage alongside the mechanical and biological work this foam does.
- Seachem Prime — dechlorinate top-up water before it reaches newly rinsed foam.
- Seachem Algae Scraper — keep the glass clear between the longer intervals a full sheet allows.
Warranty and delivery
This 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.
Common questions
Can I cut it to any shape?
Yes. It's sold as a flat sheet specifically so you can trim it to fit your filter basket, sump baffle or DIY build.
Will it affect my water chemistry?
No. It's an inert filtration foam and won't change pH or hardness.
How do I know when to replace it?
When it stays clogged and slows flow even after a rinse in tank water, or when it's visibly compressed and torn.
Can I use it in a saltwater tank?
Yes, it's suitable for both freshwater and marine systems.
Should I buy the 4 cm or 6 cm sheet?
Choose 4 cm for smaller filters with light mechanical duty, and 6 cm for larger sumps or heavier bioloads where you want more media depth.
