Monthly maintenance is not easy, so choosing the best filter cartridge for the fish tank is very important. Because when replacing the white slag filter cartridge to keep the water clean, clear and free of dirt.
You can usually purchase new cartridges in a handy single or triple pack, always having a new filter cartridge on hand when it's time to do a monthly maintenance program for your aquarium. To better understand the top 6 best filter cartridges for fish tank products and buying guide, read on below.
Here are the best filter cartridges for fish tank you can buy in 2025:
- Best Overall: Aqueon 100106076 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Runner Up: Tetra 41007 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Best Budget: Tetra 26169 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Best Durable: Aqueon 100537064 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Best Convenient: HiTauing Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- High Quality: Aqueon FBA_6417 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
| 6 Best Filter Cartridges For Fish Tank | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Aqueon 100106076 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank | |
Runner Up | Tetra 41007 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank | |
Best Budget | Tetra 26169 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank | |
Best Durable | Aqueon 100537064 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank | |
Best Convenient | HiTauing Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank | |
High Quality | Aqueon FBA_6417 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank | |
Best Overall: Aqueon 100106076 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Easy to assemble
- High Absorb
- Fit inside
- Change many times
Aqueon 100106076 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank As a high-quality activated carbon ink product, this keeps the water clean as you simply pre-rinse and align the bottom key slot of the cartridge for an exact fit inside. We make sure this product is very easy to install using the pre-oriented tab. However, for optimal performance, change approximately every 4 weeks.
| Aqueon 100106076 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Specifications | |
|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 6.2 x 6.2 x 2 inches |
Weight | 0.16 Ounces |
Size | Small |
Material | Carbon |
Contain high quality activated carbon and easy installation
Runner Up: Tetra 41007 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Time release
- Extra elements
- Stayclean technology
- Make sure ordering exactly size
Tetra 41007 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank reduces buildup on glass and the water clarifier binds small dirt particles which are easier to filter. Besides, it keeps water stable, helps prevent pH crashes in the aquarium and is easy to maintain.
In addition, you could adjust time release technology that precisely adds healthy buffers and water clarifiers, which help maintain pH and reduce unsightly debris.
Furthermore, the product extra activated carbon that will remove odor and yellow discoloration to keep the aquarium looking better than ever. Especially, with tablet holders molded into frame cover.
| Tetra 41007 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Specifications | |
|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 5.35 x 9.6 x 7.69 inches |
Weight | 1.08 Pounds |
Style | 12 Count - Stay Clean |
Material | Activated carbon |
Size | Large, 12-Count |
Ultra activated carbon and time-release design
Best Budget: Tetra 26169 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Easy to install
- Perfect for fish small tank
- Good price
- Does not filter clearly
Tetra 26169 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank easy to keep aquarium water crystal clear – removes odors and discoloration. Creating dual-sided mesh filters debris and fish waste, anh apply color coded to make it simple to remember which replacement cartridge size to purchase. They are ready to use with fully assembled.
| Tetra 26169 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Specifications | |
|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches |
Weight | 3.53 Ounces |
Size | 3 count |
Style | Medium |
Easy to replace and full size to choose
Best Durable: Aqueon 100537064 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Modern light LED
- Exact replacement
- High quality
- Poorly packed
Aqueon 100537064 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Combine with LED PRO Size 10 so it can light inside the aquarium. Moreover, it is also ready to use cartridges containing high quality activated carbon that keeps water clean, rinse before replacing.
You can install in seconds the bottom key slot for an accurate fit inside the filter, using the "FRONT" orientation tab. It changes approximately every 4 to 6 weeks.
| Aqueon 100537064 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Specifications | |
|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 9.84 x 4.92 x 4.92 inches |
Weight | 1.04 Pounds |
Style | Medium |
Size | 20 |
Great design package and power filter
Best Convenient: HiTauing Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Work well
- Easy to replace
- Thick filter
- The activated carbon does not stable long time
HiTauing Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank With filter cotton made from cotton and activated carbon, it is capable of filtering and absorbing 99% of dirt to keep the water source clean. You only need a few settings, so it's easy to power off in less than 5 minutes, thus improving time efficiency. Resume daily activities quickly and filter in the process makes a big difference. Just remove the dirty and old filter then replace it. Because the texture and quality are appreciated, you do not need to change many times during the filtration process.
| HiTauing Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Specifications | |
|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 8.7 x 7.99 x 1.22 inches |
Weight | 5.93 Ounces |
Style | Small |
Size | S-12 packs |
Filter cotton performance and safety of your fish all the time.
High Quality: Aqueon FBA_6417 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank
- Easy to clean
- Work great
- Fit many size tanks
- Does not work last long
Aqueon FBA_6417 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Provide even distribution of carbon throughout, up to 25 percent more activated carbon. It is also ready to use; install in seconds by a few steps generally. Moreover, fit for Mini Bow 1, Mini Bow 2. 5 and Mini Bow 5 and easy to replace filter cartridge for the old one.
| Aqueon FBA_6417 Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank Specifications | |
|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 5 x 5 x 5 inches |
Weight | 3.2 Ounces |
Duration | 6 |
Size | 6 pack |
Fast installations and easy to remove
How To Choose The Best Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank?
How to change the old filter in the tank
Leaving the old filter cartridge for fish tank
Keeping the old filter or cartridge in the tank with the new filter for four to six weeks is the most effective and easiest way to prevent the loss of bacteria. Everything you need to do is just install the new one and remove the old one after a month or so. Through this method, it will give the new filter enough time to accumulate beneficial bacteria from the old environment to maintain the balance in the aquarium. However, you need to keep a close eye on the flow rate. Fast currents increase the stress level of the fish as they are constantly swimming against the current.
A slow flow rate is important not only for fish but also for living plants, as it aids in maintaining healthy levels of carbon dioxide.
Filter pads can be used to reduce the flow rate if required.
Reuse old filter media
The way this is what you have to do is remove the media from the old filter and put it in the new filter. The majority of beneficial bacteria are stored in the media itself, saving the majority of bacteria. However, you need to choose new and old filters that must be the same shape and size as the cartridge. Always make sure the old cartridge is in good condition before you put it in the new filter. Damaged or broken cartridges should not be reused. Keep the old cartridge in the new filter for four to six weeks before replacing it with a new one. This is the time when enough bacteria build up on the new filter, making it safe to switch to new media without causing any serious bacteria loss.
New filter colonization
When taking out the old filter, remember to take out its cartridge. Check if it is in good condition and just put it inside the aquarium with the new filter. In particular, the media does not fall out, it will work the same way as inserting the old cartridge into the new filter.
Over a period of one month, the new filter becomes a breeding ground for bacteria from the old cartridge.
You can still run two filters simultaneously in a permanent aquarium or keep reusing the old cartridge inside the new one until it starts to fail, this method should only be used for a month.
Understanding biofiltration and preventing the loss of beneficial bacteria
Most aquarists do not know about the important role bacteria play in the aquarium. As a result, many people quickly and eagerly upgrade the filter in their tank to the point of eliminating most of the beneficial bacteria without realizing the impact it can have.
Biological filtration is a method to help clean the water in an aquarium by using microorganisms to keep the aquarium healthy.
Often beneficial bacteria build up gradually on the filter and cartridge responsible for operating the main waste treatment system in the tank.
All waste from uneaten food and fish releases ammonia in the aquarium water. With this high amount of ammonia can degrade the health of fish and can even cause death.
You know, Ammonia is broken down by beneficial bacteria, ammonia breaks down to nitrite and then to nitrate and reduces toxicity. The nitrate is then removed from the water during a normal water change. This is a biological filtration process to maintain balance in the aquarium and keep it healthy.
Which Brands Make The Best Filter Cartridge For Fish Tank?
Aqueon
Developed by true aquatic hobbyists, Aqueon provides a broad array of aquarium solutions to help maintain healthy, life-sustaining aquatic environments. From inception, Aqueon had one goal in mind: “Doing what is best for the health and well-being of fish and aquatic life.” This focus on the little things will make your life easier when keeping an aquarium, and in turn, keep your wet friends happy and healthy. Because with the Aqueon brand, it’s all about the fish.
Tetra
About Tetra®
Tetra has been around since 1951. We’re the largest global manufacturer of ornamental fish food and the acknowledged global authority. We offer thousands of products and serve more than 1,000 dealers worldwide. Our website (intended for the U.S. audience) averages 80,000+ visitors per month. We communicate regularly with thousands of Facebook fans. And, we work to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of hobbyists across the globe through our three brands: Tetra, Tetrafauna®, and TetraPond®.
Company History
Tetra’s tradition of innovation started more than 50 years ago in Melle, Germany, where Dr. Ulrich Baensch founded the company (Tetra Werke) and pioneered the development of flake fish food –– an innovation that revolutionized the industry. At the time, growing and harvesting food for your fish was a painstaking process. The advent of flake fish food not only made feeding your pet much easier. It opened the way for more people to own an aquarium.
Today, our biologists, chemists, and nutritionists continue to study and discover what keeps fish, reptiles, amphibians, ponds –– as well as aquatic plants–– thriving through a long, healthy life. Our focus remains on pioneering the development of innovative products, such as AquaSafe®, SafeStart®, ReptoHeat™, and ColorFusion Décor and LED lighting, just to name a few.
At Tetra, we’re dedicated to helping seasoned hobbyists and beginners alike enjoy a successful, life-long aquatic experience. We want to keep opening the way for more people to get involved, participate, and benefit from its rewards. Our goal is to reenergize the category by reinventing it –– building fish-, reptile-, and pond- keeping confidence, one innovation at a time.
Conclusion
Through the information that we share and the top 6 best filter cartridge products for fish tanks, if you have ever played in an aquarium, it means you understand the importance of bacteria inside the aquarium.
It not only breaks down toxic ammonia in nitrites and nitrates, making the water safe for all people. The majority of beneficial bacteria gradually begin to accumulate on the aquarium filter.
New filters usually take a few weeks to accumulate bacteria, but a few days when the number of bacteria is reduced can also cause damage.
