Ista Hang On Filter 180

The ISTA Hang-On Filter’s bio-sponge intake protects fry while a two-stage filtering cartridge boosts filtration efficiency and quality.

Bio-sponge is attached to water inlet to prevent baby fish form being sucked into the hang-on filter . Two stage filtering cartridge enhance filtration efficiency and quality. Extend filtering area to 2-3 times wider. Suitable for both freshwater & Saltwater.

The Ista Hang On Filter 180 is a hang-on-back filter — see our guide to choosing the right aquarium filtration system for how HOB filters compare to canister and internal options.

Specifications

What ISTA publish for the I-851 hang-on filter:

Pump flow rate 150 to 180 litres an hour
Power consumption 3.5 to 4.0 W
Dimensions 130 × 85 × 150 mm
Rated voltage AC 110–120 V / 60 Hz, or AC 220–240 V / 50 Hz
Water suitable for freshwater and saltwater tanks

It is the smallest of the three in this family. The I-852 gives 250–280 l/h at 4.0–4.5 W in a 185 × 85 × 150 mm body, and the I-853 gives 350–380 l/h at 4.5–4.8 W in a 250 × 85 × 150 mm body.

What ISTA do not publish for this model:

• A recommended aquarium volume
• Maximum head
• Cartridge capacity
• Noise level

Those rows are simply not on ISTA's specification sheet or in their catalogue, and we would rather leave them blank than print a number we cannot source. If one of them decides your purchase, ask us and we will measure the stock item before you order.

Compatibility

ISTA rate this range for freshwater and saltwater alike — that is stated on their own product page for the family, and it is worth knowing, because plenty of budget hang-on filters are freshwater only.

There is no published tank-size rating, so size it on turnover instead. The usual working range for a hang-on filter is four to six times the tank volume per hour: at 150 to 180 litres an hour that puts this filter in the right territory for a tank of roughly a fifth to a quarter of that number in litres. Tell us your tank volume and stocking and we will say whether this is the right one of the three.

The replacement cartridge is ISTA I-854. ISTA sell it as the hang-on filter replacement sponge cartridge for this family, and they also list an active carbon version of the bio sponge. Worth ordering a spare with the filter — a cartridge you do not have is a cartridge you end up washing instead of replacing.

Check the rim. A hang-on filter has to clear the tank's bracing bar and sit over the back glass, and a tank with a wide plastic trim or a full hood can leave nowhere for it to hang. Measure the gap between the back glass and any brace before you order.

Both mains variants exist. ISTA build this range in AC 110–120 V / 60 Hz and AC 220–240 V / 50 Hz. Indian mains is the second of those; the flow and power figures above are ISTA's published ones for the model, and if the voltage of the unit in stock matters to you, ask us and we will read it off the label.

What's in the Box

• Hang-on filter body with the pump and impeller fitted
• Two-stage filter cartridge
• Inlet sponge (the bio-sponge on the water intake)
• Intake tube

It arrives ready to run. The cartridge is in place; ISTA's own start-up instruction is to hang the filter, open the cover, fill it with water and plug it in, which is not something you could do with an empty housing.

ISTA publish no itemised scope of delivery for this product; the list above is assembled from their own product page and catalogue entry. If something is short in the carton, tell us inside the 7-day return window and we will sort it out.

Safety & Precautions

Do not let the water level fall below the intake. A hang-on filter that loses its water column stops filtering and starts running the pump dry. In a climate that evaporates a tank down over a week, and on a supply that cuts out without warning, this is the failure that actually happens — top up before the level reaches the intake, not after.

Hang it so it cannot fall in. Check it is properly seated on the rim before you power it, and re-check after any work on the tank. This is a mains device held on by its own weight above open water.

Unplug everything in the tank before you put your hands in it — heaters and pumps as well as the filter.

Put it on an earth-leakage breaker rated at no more than 30 mA, and run the cable in a drip loop so water tracking down the lead drips off before it reaches the socket.

Never run it dry. The water passing through is what cools the motor.

Keep the packaging and small parts away from children and animals, and inspect the cable and plug before each use — a moulded mains lead that has been damaged cannot be repaired.

Warranty & Support

This product is covered by warranty as per the manufacturer policy, against material and manufacturing defects from the date of purchase.

Warranty support is handled by us directly. Message our WhatsApp support with your order number and we will diagnose the fault first — most cases are solved by replacing a single part, so you rarely need to send the whole unit. If the item does need to come back, it ships to our Delhi or Pune warehouse, whichever one served your order, and courier cost in both directions is borne by the customer. Your GST invoice is valid proof of purchase for the claim.

Returns & Replacement

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Manufacturer-sealed items cannot be returned once the seal is broken, and sale-priced items are not refundable.

If your item arrives defective or damaged, message us on WhatsApp with your order number — or email us, if you would rather — and we will replace it. Approved replacements are delivered within 3 to 5 business days. Transit damage is covered by insurance on every shipment. If tracking shows delivered but nothing reached you, tell us within 72 hours, which is the reporting window Indian couriers allow. Damage caused during installation or use is not covered; replacement spares for such cases are chargeable.

Full terms are on our Cancellation & Returns page.