10 Best Filter Media for Freshwater Aquariums 2025: According to Reviews | Chewy

The 10 Best Filter Media for Freshwater Aquariums

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How we created this filter medium list

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

Key filter medium considerations

Compatibility

Ease of Use

Filtration Efficiency

Longevity

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
167
$9.88Chewy Price
($0.45/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.9/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.8/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.5/5
Great

Is this 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
115
$7.49Chewy Price
($7.49/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.5/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...
3
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count

Fluval Zeo-Carb Filter Media, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
37
$7.24Chewy Price
($2.42/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.8/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.8/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Nylon, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
4
AquaClear Foam Filter Insert, Size 50, 3 count
AquaClear Foam Filter Insert, Size 50, 3 count

AquaClear Foam Filter Insert, Size 50, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
65
$6.99Chewy Price
($2.33/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
5
Boyd Chemi-pure Elite All-In-One Chemical Filtration Media, 11.74-oz jar, Bulk 6-pack

Boyd Chemi-pure Elite All-In-One Chemical Filtration Media, 11.74-oz jar, Bulk 6-pack

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
52
$57.99Chewy Price
($0.83/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.8/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
6
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge

SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
18
$14.99Chewy Price
($14.99/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.2/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.5/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Cotton

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Marine Invertebrate...
7
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
101
$11.79Chewy Price
($0.24/oz)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.3/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
8
AquaClear Foam Filter Insert, Size 70, 3 count
AquaClear Foam Filter Insert, Size 70, 3 count

AquaClear Foam Filter Insert, Size 70, 3 count

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
71
$9.99Chewy Price
($3.33/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish
9
Fluval Spec Carbon Bags Filter Media, 3-pack
Fluval Spec Carbon Bags Filter Media, 3-pack
Fluval Spec Carbon Bags Filter Media, 3-pack

Fluval Spec Carbon Bags Filter Media, 3-pack

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
35
$4.89Chewy Price
($1.63/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical 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
38
$5.79Chewy Price
($0.05/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.8/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.8/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Ceramic

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Marine Fish