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
220
$9.99Chewy Price
($0.46/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.8/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.8/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
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
122
$4.99Chewy Price
($4.99/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

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 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 4.6 out of 5 stars
53
$4.49Chewy Price
($1.50/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
4
Boyd Chemi-pure Blue Ultimate Filter Media, 11-oz jar
Boyd Chemi-pure Blue Ultimate Filter Media, 11-oz jar
Boyd Chemi-pure Blue Ultimate Filter Media, 11-oz jar

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

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
50
$22.17Chewy Price
($2.02/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.5/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Nylon, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
5
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
35
$11.95Chewy Price
($1.20/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.4/5
Great

Ease of Use

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.4/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Marine Invertebrate...
6
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 4.7 out of 5 stars
115
$11.79Chewy Price
($0.24/oz)
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

4.8/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.5/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
7
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
77
$4.99Chewy Price
($1.67/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Saltwater, Freshwater

Fish Type

Marine Fish, Tropical Freshwater
8
Marineland White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals Filter Media, 50-oz jar
Marineland White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals Filter Media, 50-oz jar
Marineland White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals Filter Media, 50-oz jar

Marineland White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals Filter Media, 50-oz jar

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
76
$3.03Chewy Price
($0.07/oz)
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

4.5/5
Great

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Pond, Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater
9
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
51
$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

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.8/5
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
10
Fluval Spec Biomax Filter Media
Fluval Spec Biomax Filter Media

Fluval Spec Biomax Filter Media

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
58
$5.99Chewy Price
($5.99/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Ease of Use

4.5/5
Great

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