{"product_id":"fluval-ac20-30-active-carbon-insert","title":"Fluval AC20\/30 Active Carbon Insert","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFluval AquaClear Activated Carbon Insert\u003c\/strong\u003e is premium activated carbon that keeps the water in your AquaClear 20 or AquaClear 30 hang-on-back filter clean and crystal clear. Its highly porous surface adsorbs odors, discoloration, tannins, and dissolved organic waste, so your tank looks its best and your fish stay healthy. It is also the go-to media for pulling leftover medication out of the water after a treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRestocking media or dialing in a new setup? Browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\"\u003efilter media and cartridges\u003c\/a\u003e at Squeaky's Aquatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhy Activated Carbon\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemoves odors and toxins.\u003c\/strong\u003e Adsorbs the dissolved organics, odors, and discoloration that cloud your water and dull your tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImproves water clarity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clears yellowing from driftwood tannins and leaves the water bright and polished.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClears out medication.\u003c\/strong\u003e Run it after a treatment to strip leftover medication from the water column before it stresses your fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater and saltwater safe.\u003c\/strong\u003e Works in tropical, coldwater, and marine aquariums alike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFits the \u003cstrong\u003eFluval AquaClear 20 (AC20, Mini) and AquaClear 30 (AC30)\u003c\/strong\u003e power filters. One insert covers both models.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlace it in the media basket after the BioFoam. Rinse away loose dust under tank water before the first use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplace roughly every 3 to 4 weeks. Carbon becomes exhausted with use, so this is a replace-when-spent media, not a rinse-and-reuse one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove carbon while dosing medications, then add fresh carbon afterward to clear the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;margin:4px 0 8px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFluval AquaClear\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eActivated carbon chemical filter media\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFluval AquaClear 20 and 30 (AC20 \/ AC30) power filters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eRemoves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOdors, discoloration, tannins, dissolved organics, and medication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWater type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater and saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eNet weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.8 oz (50 g) per insert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSold as\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSingle insert or 3-pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f6f6f6;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCountry of origin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eItaly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-aquaclear-ac-series-aquarium-filters\"\u003eFluval AquaClear Power Filter\u003c\/a\u003e, the hang-on-back filter this insert is built for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeed mechanical and biological media too? Add the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac30-biofoam-filter-insert\"\u003eAquaClear BioFoam\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac20-30-biomax-insert\"\u003eBioMax\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant carbon plus phosphate or ammonia control? Try the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac20-30-clear-carb-insert\"\u003eClear-Carb\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac20-30-zeo-carbon-insert\"\u003eZeo-Carb\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunning a larger filter? Grab the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac50-active-carbon-insert\"\u003eAC50\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac70-110-active-carbon-insert\"\u003eAC70\/110\u003c\/a\u003e Activated Carbon instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I replace the carbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery 3 to 4 weeks. Once carbon is saturated it stops adsorbing and can slowly release what it captured, so replace it rather than rinsing and reusing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes carbon remove ammonia or nitrate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot effectively. Carbon targets odors, discoloration, and dissolved organics. For ammonia use the Ammonia Remover or Zeo-Carb, and for lasting control build your biological filter with BioMax.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould I run carbon all the time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is optional. Many keepers run it continuously for clear water, while others use it as needed to clear tannins or remove medication. Just remove it before dosing meds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Activated carbon is safe and widely used in marine and reef aquariums for water polishing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":48927183700187,"sku":"19641","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3-Pack","offer_id":48927183732955,"sku":"19642","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_c9653daa-9d81-41d6-9d97-073b3866345c.jpg?v=1782920005","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-ac20-30-active-carbon-insert","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}