10 Best Aquarium Filter Media 2025: According to Reviews | Chewy

The 10 Best Aquarium Filter Media

Jump to the list

How we created this aquarium filter medium list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best aquarium filter medium.
We scanned thousands of customer reviews and ratings and scored each product based on its performance against each of the key considerations. We then considered how popular a product is with Chewy customers and combined that with its key consideration scores to create the list of the best aquarium filter media.

Key aquarium filter medium considerations

Compatibility

Durability

Ease of Maintenance

Filtration Efficiency

1
Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar
Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar
Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar
Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar
Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar
Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar

Marineland Black Diamond Activated Carbon Filter Media, 22-oz jar

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
232
$9.99Chewy Price
($0.46/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.8/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
2
AquaClear Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 30
AquaClear Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 30

AquaClear Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 30

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
122
$4.85Chewy Price
($4.85/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...
3
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count
Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count

Aqueon QuietFlow 10 Ammonia Reducing Specialty Filter Pad, 4 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
123
$6.79Chewy Price
($1.70/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.3/5
Great

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Goldfish
4
Fluval Carbon for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count
Fluval Carbon for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count
Fluval Carbon for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count
Fluval Carbon for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count

Fluval Carbon for AC20/AC30 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
19
$5.98Chewy Price
($2.00/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.8/5
Excellent

Durability

4.8/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater
5
Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads
Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads
Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads
Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads
Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads

Tetra Pond Clear Choice Bio-Filter Replacement Pads

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
54
$13.59Chewy Price
($13.59/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.5/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Pond

Fish Type

Koi & Pond Fish
6
Boyd Chemi-pure Blue Ultimate Filter Media, 11-oz jar, Bulk 6-pack

Boyd Chemi-pure Blue Ultimate Filter Media, 11-oz jar, Bulk 6-pack

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
50
$108.31Chewy Price
($1.65/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.5/5
Great

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Nylon, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
7
SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz
SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz
SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz
SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz
SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz
SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz

SunGrow Activated Carbon Charcoal Pellets Aquarium Filtration, Cat Litter Box & Water Fountain Deodorizer Filter Media, 10-oz

Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
37
$10.70Chewy Price
($1.07/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.4/5
Great

Durability

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Maintenance

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.5/5
Great

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Marine Invertebrate...
8
Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon Ammonia Neutralizing Carbon Filter Media, 50-oz jar
Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon Ammonia Neutralizing Carbon Filter Media, 50-oz jar
Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon Ammonia Neutralizing Carbon Filter Media, 50-oz jar
Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon Ammonia Neutralizing Carbon Filter Media, 50-oz jar

Marineland Diamond Blend Carbon Ammonia Neutralizing Carbon Filter Media, 50-oz jar

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
121
$11.79Chewy Price
($0.24/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Maintenance

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
9
Fluval Bio-Foam for AC20 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count
Fluval Bio-Foam for AC20 Aquarium Power Filter, 3 count

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11
$5.27Chewy Price
($1.76/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater
10
Marineland Rite-Size S, T & X, Fit All C-Series, Magniflow Biological Aquarium Filtration Ceramic Filter Rings, 140 count
Marineland Rite-Size S, T & X, Fit All C-Series, Magniflow Biological Aquarium Filtration Ceramic Filter Rings, 140 count
Marineland Rite-Size S, T & X, Fit All C-Series, Magniflow Biological Aquarium Filtration Ceramic Filter Rings, 140 count

Marineland Rite-Size S, T & X, Fit All C-Series, Magniflow Biological Aquarium Filtration Ceramic Filter Rings, 140 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
52
$5.79Chewy Price
($0.05/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Maintenance

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Is this aquarium filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Ceramic

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish