Fluval AC20/30 Zeo Carbon Insert

The Fluval AquaClear Zeo-Carb Insert is a dual-action filter media that pairs activated carbon with zeolite in a single pouch for your AquaClear 20 or AquaClear 30 hang-on-back filter. The carbon polishes the water by pulling out odors, discoloration, and dissolved organics, while the zeolite actively removes toxic ammonia through ion exchange. It is the fast way to clear cloudy, smelly, or ammonia-stressed freshwater tanks.

Setting up a new tank or restocking media? Browse all filter media and cartridges at Squeaky's Aquatics.

Why Zeo-Carb

• Removes odors, toxins, and ammonia. Activated carbon handles the odors and discoloration; the zeolite locks up free ammonia that stresses fish.
• Reduces fish stress. Pulling ammonia out of the water column is a big help in new, overstocked, or recently disturbed aquariums.
• Two media, one insert. No need to run separate carbon and ammonia pouches, Zeo-Carb combines both and drops straight into the AquaClear media basket.
• Freshwater formula. The zeolite works by ion exchange, which only functions in freshwater, so Zeo-Carb is made for freshwater aquariums.

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 zeolite become exhausted with use, so this is a replace-when-spent media, not a rinse-and-reuse one.
• Great to keep on hand while cycling a tank, after adding new fish, or any time an ammonia test creeps above zero.

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.
• Want carbon plus phosphate control instead of ammonia? Try the AquaClear Clear-Carb.
• Running a larger filter? Grab the AC50 Zeo-Carb instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Zeo-Carb in a saltwater tank?
No. The zeolite removes ammonia by ion exchange, and that process does not work in saltwater. For marine tanks, use plain activated carbon instead.

How is this different from Clear-Carb?
Zeo-Carb is carbon plus zeolite (ammonia remover). Clear-Carb is carbon plus ClearMax, which targets phosphate and nitrogenous waste. Pick Zeo-Carb when ammonia is your concern.

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

Does it help while cycling a new tank?
It can buffer ammonia spikes and reduce fish stress, but it will not build your biological filter for you. Pair it with patience and your BioFoam and BioMax media.