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5 Best Aquarium Filter Pads 2021: AquaFlo, Koi Ponds, more

Updated Aug 18th, 2021 8:54AM EDT

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Having fish in your home as pets is a great way to add some real unique décor. Keeping goldfish or tropical fish can really heighten your design and allow for your guests to enjoy the looks of beautiful fish swimming. But in order to be able to see them, you need a filter to keep the water clear. Accompanying that filter is an aquarium filter pad that traps particulate matter, keeping you fish healthier. This all goes into what’s best for you and the fish and an aquarium filter pad is an excellent piece of equipment you need. So if you’re sick of looking at murky water or you’re thinking of getting an aquarium for your home, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our picks for the best aquarium filter pads out there and enjoy the sights of your fish even more.

Work with multiple densities for the best aquarium filter pads

5 Best Aquarium Filter Pads: AquaFlo, Koi Ponds, more

Meant to be cut to the correct size, the Aquatic Experts Aquarium Filter Pad is even thicker than previous iterations. The top layer’s open fiber construction traps larger particles while the bottom layer, which is made of dense fiber, traps thinner and smaller particles. These work together to produce crystal clear water in your aquarium. This roll comes as 12″ x 72″ x 3/4″ x 1″ and can be used for freshwater or salt water aquariums. This is a prefilter for wet/dry filters, sumps, canister filters, aquaponics systems and much more. The fibers are bonded with special resin for added strength. The consistent and reliable design gives superior filtration. Also, this pad will trap uneaten food, waste, decaying plants, detritus, and other floating particulates.

Key Features:

  • Top layer with open fiber construction
  • Bottom layer traps thinner and smaller particles
  • Fibers bonded with special resin
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Sponge is key for these best aquarium filter pads

LTWHOME Fish Pong Foam Filter Sponge Set

Giving you three different sizes to best fit your aquarium, the LTWHOME Fish Pong Foam Filter Sponge Set works in your home. Each one measures 17″ x 11″, but they come in three different colors and textures. One is fine (green), one is medium (black), and one (blue) is coarse, which offers you more filtration. The different pore sizes gives you more time in between cleanings. The reticulated foam sheets fit a wide range of filters. All you’ll need to do is simply poke holes in the sponges to make them work in your aquarium. The egg crate foam lends more space for good bacteria to come in and stay in the water. Also, these come in both freshwater and salt water aquariums.

Key Features:

  • Three different colors and textures
  • Lends more space for good bacteria
  • Just need to poke holes
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Don’t worry about chemicals

Aqua-Flo 12″ Pond & Aquarium Filter Media

The Aqua-Flo 12″ Pond & Aquarium Filter Media is safe to use in your home. This roll comes as 72″ long and measures one inch thick. It’s made out of 100% polyester and no chemicals were used in production. This is safe for all salt water or freshwater fish tanks, ponds, or aquariums. These have been made for over 30 years with high satisfaction from consumers. Coming in a roll, you’ll be able to cut it to the size that you need, so if you have multiple different tanks or aquariums, you’ll be able to customize it. This best aquarium filter pads material is slightly more rigid and a higher quality than any pink filter on the market. This is green and white and also helps catch larger and smaller particles on either side of the pad.

Key Features:

  • 72″ long
  • Made out of 100% polyester
  • Catches large and small particles
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A koi pond will look beautiful

Koral Filters PRO Koi Pond Filter Pad Media Roll

Koi ponds are a beautiful way to outfit an area and they’ll continue to look beautiful with the addition of Koral Filters PRO Koi Pond Filter Pad Media Roll. You can buy this in many different sizes, but our pick was the 12″ x 72″ x 1.25″. You can also customize this by cutting it to fit your filter size. This is equally compatible with both koi ponds and aquariums, as the blue bonded and dye-free bonded filter works for both freshwater and salt water tanks. This provides great mechanical filtration and helps you save money by making your filter last longer. The durable design allows the filter to resist warping, breaking, or tearing. Furthermore, this filter can be used over and over, thanks to the open fiber construction. This allows high volumes of water to flow through the pad.

Key Features:

  • Allows high volumes of water to flow
  • Provides great mechanical filtration
  • Filter resists warping, breaking, or tearing
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Replace your pad easily

Penn Plax Cascade Bio-Floss Replacement Poly Fiber Floss Pads

For a no-fuss replacement for your filter, reach for the Penn Plax Cascade Bio-Floss Replacement Poly Fiber Floss Pads. The pack includes six pads and the pads trap particulate matter in order to keep your aquarium crystal clear. Rather than replacing your carbon filter, these floss pads extend the life of your filter. These helps them last two to three more months when cleaning is diligent. The pads are already perfectly cut to fit into the filter tray without any gaps. This also works very well for smaller aquariums and tanks and with filters such as the Cascade 700 of 1000 Canister filters.

Key Features:

  • Helps filters last two to three more months
  • Includes six pads
  • Works well for smaller aquariums and tanks
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Relax with your fish while you’re listening to your AirPods Max and check out our review here!

Chris Hachey Commerce Editor

Chris Hachey is Senior Commerce Editor for BGR. With over a decade of editing and journalism experience, plus thousands of hours of product testing and research, he has helped millions of consumers find the best products and deals to fit their lifestyles.

When he's not searching for top deals, he's likely watching his favorite sports teams or walking around his hometown with his wife and his dog.