Fluval AC20/30 Clear-Carb Insert

The Fluval AquaClear Clear-Carb Insert pairs premium activated carbon with ClearMax resin in a single pouch for your AquaClear 20 or AquaClear 30 hang-on-back filter. The carbon strips out odors, discoloration, and dissolved organics, while ClearMax targets phosphate and nitrogenous waste, the compounds that fuel algae and cloud your water. The result is cleaner, clearer, better looking water with less maintenance.

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Why Clear-Carb

• Removes odors, toxins, and phosphate. Activated carbon handles odors and discoloration; ClearMax pulls out phosphate and nitrogenous waste that feed nuisance algae.
• Reduces maintenance. Cleaner water means fewer algae outbreaks and less scrubbing between water changes.
• Two media, one insert. No need to run separate carbon and phosphate pouches, Clear-Carb combines both and drops straight into the AquaClear media basket.
• Freshwater and saltwater safe. Works in tropical, coldwater, and marine aquariums alike.

How to Use

• Fits the Fluval AquaClear 20 (AC20, Mini) and AquaClear 30 (AC30) power filters. One insert covers both models.
• Place it in the media basket after the BioFoam. Rinse away loose dust under tank water before the first use.
• Replace roughly every 3 to 4 weeks. Both the carbon and the ClearMax become exhausted with use, so this is a replace-when-spent media, not a rinse-and-reuse one.
• Great for planted tanks, reef tanks, and any aquarium where you want crystal-clear, low-phosphate water.

Specifications

Recommended Pairings

• Fluval AquaClear Power Filter, the hang-on-back filter this insert is built for.
• Need mechanical and biological media too? Add the AquaClear BioFoam.
• Fighting ammonia in freshwater instead of phosphate? Try the AquaClear Zeo-Carb.
• Running a larger filter? Grab the AC50 or AC70/110 Clear-Carb instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ClearMax?
ClearMax is a synthetic resin that removes phosphate, nitrite, and nitrate-based waste. Paired with carbon in Clear-Carb, it keeps water clear and starves nuisance algae of the phosphate it needs.

How is this different from Zeo-Carb?
Clear-Carb is carbon plus ClearMax, which targets phosphate. Zeo-Carb is carbon plus zeolite, which targets ammonia and is freshwater only. Pick Clear-Carb for phosphate and all-around water polishing in fresh or salt water.

How often do I replace it?
Every 3 to 4 weeks. Once the carbon and ClearMax are saturated they stop working, so this insert is replaced rather than rinsed and reused.

Is it reef safe?
Yes. Both the carbon and ClearMax are safe for marine and reef aquariums, and phosphate control is a common goal in reef keeping.