10 Best Filter Cartridges for Saltwater Aquariums 2025: According to Reviews | Chewy

The 10 Best Filter Cartridges for Saltwater Aquariums

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How we created this filter cartridge list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best filter cartridges for saltwater aquarium.
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 filter cartridges for saltwater aquariums.

Key filter cartridge considerations

Compatibility

Durability

Ease of Use

Filtration Efficiency

1
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count
Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count

Tetra Bio-Bag Large Disposable Filter Cartridges, 12 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
782
$14.57Chewy Price
($1.22/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Durability

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
2
Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Rite-Size C Filter Cartridge, 6 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Rite-Size C Filter Cartridge, 6 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Rite-Size C Filter Cartridge, 6 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Rite-Size C Filter Cartridge, 6 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Rite-Size C Filter Cartridge, 6 count

Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin Rite-Size C Filter Cartridge, 6 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
670
$19.99Chewy Price
($3.34/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.3/5
Great

Durability

4.4/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
3
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count

Aqueon QuietFlow Large Replacement Filter Cartridges, 15 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
229
$42.95Chewy Price
($2.87/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.5/5
Great

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
4
AquaClear 50 Active Carbon Filter Insert, 3 count

AquaClear 50 Active Carbon Filter Insert, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
76
$9.99Chewy Price
($3.33/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.4/5
Great

Durability

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.5/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
5
Tetra Whisper Bio-Bags Medium Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Tetra Whisper Bio-Bags Medium Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Tetra Whisper Bio-Bags Medium Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Tetra Whisper Bio-Bags Medium Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Tetra Whisper Bio-Bags Medium Filter Cartridge, 3 count

Tetra Whisper Bio-Bags Medium Filter Cartridge, 3 count

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
335
$6.47Chewy Price
($2.16/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.4/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.4/5
Great

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Nano Tank, Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
6
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count

Aqueon QuietFlow Medium Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
122
$24.95Chewy Price
($2.78/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Durability

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.5/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
7
Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Rite-Size E Filter Cartridge, 4 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Rite-Size E Filter Cartridge, 4 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Rite-Size E Filter Cartridge, 4 count
Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Rite-Size E Filter Cartridge, 4 count

Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Rite-Size E Filter Cartridge, 4 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
240
$13.19Chewy Price
($3.30/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.0/5
Great

Durability

4.1/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.2/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.0/5
Great

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Polyurethane, Plastic

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
8
Underwater Treasures Seapora Filter Floss, 20-sq ft
Underwater Treasures Seapora Filter Floss, 20-sq ft

Underwater Treasures Seapora Filter Floss, 20-sq ft

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
35
$15.99Chewy Price
($15.99/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.4/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.4/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.1/5
Great

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
9
Marineland Eclipse Rite-Size Z Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Marineland Eclipse Rite-Size Z Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Marineland Eclipse Rite-Size Z Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Marineland Eclipse Rite-Size Z Filter Cartridge, 3 count
Marineland Eclipse Rite-Size Z Filter Cartridge, 3 count

Marineland Eclipse Rite-Size Z Filter Cartridge, 3 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
63
$4.89Chewy Price
($1.63/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.8/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
10
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count
Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count

Aqueon QuietFlow Small Replacement Filter Cartridges, 9 count

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
70
$22.95Chewy Price
($2.55/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.3/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.3/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter cartridge right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater