API Bio-Chem Stars

API Bio-Chem Stars

API Bio-Chem Stars are porous biological filter media that give nitrifying bacteria a place to grow, helping to establish and maintain a healthy aquarium in fresh or saltwater. They suit hobbyists setting up a new tank or boosting the biological filtration of an established one, and each pack holds 20 stars.

Key Benefits

• Provides a home for large colonies of nitrifying bacteria that convert harmful ammonia into nitrate.
• Made through a patented production process that creates a 50-70 micron internal pore network, a pore size that suits the growth of beneficial bacteria that remove toxic ammonia and nitrite.
• The porous polymer allows rapid transfer of oxygen and water, which helps keep bacterial colonies healthy and active.
• The star design offers 4 times more surface area for bacteria to colonise than ceramic rings.
• Works in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

How the Nitrogen Cycle Works
Your fish produce waste, which fuels the growth of the beneficial bacteria that make up your "biological filter". These bacteria convert harmful ammonia into nitrate, a process known as the nitrogen cycle, which occurs naturally in all underwater environments. The bacteria keep growing as your aquarium matures, living on the top layers of the gravel or in filter media such as Bio-Chem Stars.

How to Use

• Rinse the stars thoroughly to remove any dust.
• Place them in the last compartment of your filter.
• The stars will become colonised by bacteria within several weeks.

Suitable For

• Freshwater aquariums.
• Saltwater aquariums.
• Aquariums up to 380 litres (100 gal), which is the volume this pack of 20 stars is intended for.

Specifications

• Shape: star.
• Size of each star: 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm (1" x 1") in diameter.
• Internal pore network: 50-70 micron.
• Material: porous polymer.
• Surface area: 4 times more than ceramic rings.

What's Included

• 20 Bio-Chem Stars, for aquariums up to 380 litres (100 gal).
• A filter media bag is not included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Bio-Chem Stars in a saltwater tank?
Yes. They can be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums.

How big is each star?
Each star measures 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm (1" x 1") in diameter.

Does the pack come with a media bag?
No. A filter media bag is not included, so you will need to supply your own if your filter setup calls for one.

Where should I put them in my filter?
Place them in the last compartment of the filter, after rinsing them thoroughly to remove any dust.

How long before the stars are colonised by bacteria?
They become colonised within several weeks. The bacteria continue to grow as your aquarium ages.

How many stars come in the pack and what tank size is it for?
The pack contains 20 stars, intended for aquariums up to 380 litres (100 gal).

When can I expect delivery?

• Gauteng (Jhb/Pta) - 1-3 working days
• Nationwide (Cpt/Dbn+) - 2-5 working days
• Outlying Areas - 3-7 working days

All orders are sent via Economy Road, typically through Fastway or Internet Express Couriers*. Estimated timeframes are not guaranteed. Once the order is collected by the courier, we have no control over third-party logistics and cannot make any time promises.

If you prefer a faster 🚀 shipping option, we also offer The Courier Guy during checkout in the dropdown selection. Please note that this option is not free, and you must choose it to use it. Please pay careful attention to the cutoff times and delivery timeframe for these options during checkout.

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Delivery times to lockers and pickup locations typically range from 2–7 working days, depending on your location.*

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Collection timeframes:

• Bob Box: Collect within 2 days of receiving your collection notification.
• PUDO Lockers: Collect within 36 hours of receiving your collection PIN or SMS notification.

If a PUDO parcel is not collected within 36 hours, it will automatically be transferred to the nearest PUDO Kiosk or Depot at no additional cost. The parcel will then be held there for approximately 2 days before being returned.

Please ensure you collect your parcel within the applicable collection period. Uncollected parcels will be returned to the sender, and additional shipping charges may apply should the order need to be resent.