What is aquarium filter media?

Aquarium filter media refers to the specific materials located inside the tank filter that purify the water. Filter media can come in three forms- namely biological, chemical, and mechanical.

What are the three types of fish tank filter media?

The three types of fish tank filter media are biological, chemical, and mechanical. Mechanical uses things like sponges and filter floss to remove debris from water. Chemical uses activated carbon and other similar materials to remove chemical contaminants. Biological uses advantageous bacteria media, which can help remove waste.

How long does aquarium filter media last?

Aquarium filter media has different lifespans depending on factors like the type of media, your type of tank, the tank contents, and frequency of water changes. In general, biological filter media may rarely need replacement unless it's damaged; but it must be rinsed and cleaned regularly. Chemical media containing activated carbon is typically replaced within a window of 1–3 weeks. Regularly test your water to ensure that the filters are working properly. Mechanical media, on the other hand, can last for several years, but regular replacement might be best. Consult with your fish-savvy veterinarian or hobbyist to get the best advice for your particular setup.

How often should I rinse fish tank filter media?

Fish tank filter media should be rinsed approximately every 2–4 weeks, but this can vary depending on your tank setup or maintenance. If you notice debris buildup, a change in noise, or a reduction in water flow, it's likely time to rinse. When rinsing, it's important to do so with fish tank water and not tap water, because tap water contains chlorine.

Aquarium & Fish Tank Filter Media - Page 3 (Free Shipping)

Boyd Chemi-Pure Blue Nano Ultimate Filter Media, 5 count

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

14

$14.43 Chewy Price

($2.89/ea) Price per Unit

$20.39 List Price

$13.71 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Eheim Ehfifix Mechanical Filter Media, 5-L

$26.99 Chewy Price

($5.40/l) Price per Unit

$32.98 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

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Fluval Bio-Foam for AC20 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count slide 2 of 2

Fluval Bio-Foam for AC20 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

13

$5.27 Chewy Price

($1.76/ea) Price per Unit

$6.59 List Price

$5.01 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

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Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter slide 2 of 7

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter slide 3 of 7

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter slide 4 of 7

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter slide 5 of 7

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter slide 6 of 7

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter slide 7 of 7

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

6

$5.69 Chewy Price

($5.69/ea) Price per Unit

$8.69 List Price

$5.41 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval C3 Bio-Screen Pad Filter Media, 3 count

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

7

$7.34 Chewy Price

($2.45/ea) Price per Unit

$14.99 List Price

$6.97 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval Bio-Foam for AC110 Aquarium Power Filter

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

15

$7.49 Chewy Price

$14.20 List Price

$7.12 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

CaribSea ARM Aquarium Calcium Reactor Media, 1-gal bottle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$31.42 Chewy Price

($31.42/gl) Price per Unit

$29.85 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

API Filstar XP Microfiltration Aquarium Canister Filter Filtration Pads, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

18

$9.08 Chewy Price

($3.03/ea) Price per Unit

$12.98 List Price

$8.63 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval C2 Activated Carbon Filter Media, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

22

$6.99 Chewy Price

($2.33/ea) Price per Unit

$6.64 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Marineland C-530 Canister Foam Filter Media, 2 count

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

4

$13.39 Chewy Price

($6.70/ea) Price per Unit

$12.72 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval C3 Activated Carbon Filter Media, 3 count

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

18

$8.99 Chewy Price

($3.00/ea) Price per Unit

$8.54 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain ...

Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars

41

$5.95 Chewy Price

($0.60/oz) Price per Unit

$13.99 List Price

$5.65 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval Zeo-Carb for AC50 Aquarium Power Filter

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

1

$4.84 Chewy Price

$5.49 List Price

$4.60 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Bundle and Save 5%

Bundle: Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges + 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty F...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

3

$32.20 Chewy Price

$33.90 List Price

Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval U2 Foam Pad Filter Media

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

33

$4.99 Chewy Price

($4.99/ea) Price per Unit

$4.74 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Carbon Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

11

$3.49 Chewy Price

($0.88/ea) Price per Unit

$9.99 List Price

$3.32 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Cobalt Aquatics Long Lasting Pelletized Carbon, 16-oz bottle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$14.44 Chewy Price

($0.91/oz) Price per Unit

$22.43 List Price

$13.72 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Eheim 2213 Canister Fine Filter Pads, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

5

$10.95 Chewy Price

($3.65/ea) Price per Unit

$11.87 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Penn-Plax Poly Fiber Plus Aquarium Fish Filter Media Pad

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

5

$14.99 Chewy Price

($14.99/ea) Price per Unit

$14.24 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval Ammonia Remover for AC70/AC110, 1 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

11

$6.99 Chewy Price

($6.99/ea) Price per Unit

$8.99 List Price

$6.64 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Marineland C-530 Canister Polishing Filter Pads Media, 2 count

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

6

$6.80 Chewy Price

($3.40/ea) Price per Unit

$13.39 List Price

$6.46 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval C4 C-Nodes Filter Media, 7-oz

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

8

$16.45 Chewy Price

($2.35/oz) Price per Unit

$27.99 List Price

$15.63 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Underwater Treasures Seapora Bio Balls, 3000 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

6

$149.99 Chewy Price

($0.05/ea) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders
Free 365-day returns

Fluval Zeo-Carb for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

12

$3.99 Chewy Price

$3.79 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

API Super Activated Carbon Aquarium Canister Filter Filtration Pouch, Size 6

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

15

$10.99 Chewy Price

($10.99/ea) Price per Unit

$13.18 List Price

$10.44 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

55

$13.59 Chewy Price

($13.59/ea) Price per Unit

$21.49 List Price

$12.91 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval U1 Foam Pad Filter Media

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

13

$3.49 Chewy Price

($3.49/ea) Price per Unit

$3.32 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Cobalt Aquatics Total Softener Rechargeable Hardness Removing Resin, 23.5-oz bottle

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

7

$16.18 Chewy Price

($0.69/oz) Price per Unit

$22.53 List Price

$15.37 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Eheim 2213 Canister Coarse Filter Pads, 2 count

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

4

$10.99 Chewy Price

($5.50/ea) Price per Unit

$12.10 List Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 375 & Emperor Pro 450 Aquarium Bio-Foam &PreFilter

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

8

$5.79 Chewy Price

($5.79/ea) Price per Unit

$9.89 List Price

$5.50 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval U3 Poly/Carbon Underwater Filter Media, 2 count

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

22

$9.13 Chewy Price

($4.57/ea) Price per Unit

$9.49 List Price

$8.67 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval Clear-Carb for AC50 Aquarium Power Filter

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$7.49 Chewy Price

$7.12 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Fluval C3 Foam Pad Filter Media, 2 count

Rated 3.7 out of 5 stars

3

$6.99 Chewy Price

($3.50/ea) Price per Unit

$6.64 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Penn-Plax Ammonia Reducer Aquarium Fish Filter Media Pad

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

9

$11.99 Chewy Price

($11.99/ea) Price per Unit

$12.99 List Price

$11.39 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aqueon ProFlex 200 Micron Filter Bags, 2 count

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

4

$21.99 Chewy Price

($11.00/ea) Price per Unit

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Cobalt Aquatics Complete Reef Superior Marine Aquarium Pollutant & Nitrate Removal, 20-oz bottl...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$18.61 Chewy Price

($0.94/oz) Price per Unit

$32.08 List Price

$17.68 Autoship Price

Free 1-3 day delivery on first-time orders over $35
Free 365-day returns

Aquarium & Fish Tank Filter Media

Boyd Chemi-Pure Blue Nano Ultimate Filter Media, 5 count

Eheim Ehfifix Mechanical Filter Media, 5-L

Fluval Bio-Foam for AC20 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 125, 175 & 275 Aquarium Bio-Foam & PreFilter

Fluval C3 Bio-Screen Pad Filter Media, 3 count

Fluval Bio-Foam for AC110 Aquarium Power Filter

CaribSea ARM Aquarium Calcium Reactor Media, 1-gal bottle

API Filstar XP Microfiltration Aquarium Canister Filter Filtration Pads, 3 count

Fluval C2 Activated Carbon Filter Media, 3 count

Marineland C-530 Canister Foam Filter Media, 2 count

Fluval C3 Activated Carbon Filter Media, 3 count

SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain ...

Fluval Zeo-Carb for AC50 Aquarium Power Filter

Fluval U2 Foam Pad Filter Media

Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Carbon Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count

Cobalt Aquatics Long Lasting Pelletized Carbon, 16-oz bottle

Eheim 2213 Canister Fine Filter Pads, 3 count

Penn-Plax Poly Fiber Plus Aquarium Fish Filter Media Pad

Fluval Ammonia Remover for AC70/AC110, 1 count

Marineland C-530 Canister Polishing Filter Pads Media, 2 count

Fluval C4 C-Nodes Filter Media, 7-oz

Underwater Treasures Seapora Bio Balls, 3000 count

Fluval Zeo-Carb for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter

API Super Activated Carbon Aquarium Canister Filter Filtration Pouch, Size 6

Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads

Fluval U1 Foam Pad Filter Media

Cobalt Aquatics Total Softener Rechargeable Hardness Removing Resin, 23.5-oz bottle

Eheim 2213 Canister Coarse Filter Pads, 2 count

Marineland 2-In-1 Penguin Pro 375 & Emperor Pro 450 Aquarium Bio-Foam &PreFilter

Fluval U3 Poly/Carbon Underwater Filter Media, 2 count

Fluval Clear-Carb for AC50 Aquarium Power Filter

Fluval C3 Foam Pad Filter Media, 2 count

Penn-Plax Ammonia Reducer Aquarium Fish Filter Media Pad

Aqueon ProFlex 200 Micron Filter Bags, 2 count

Cobalt Aquatics Complete Reef Superior Marine Aquarium Pollutant & Nitrate Removal, 20-oz bottl...

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