Fluval 3 Plus Polyester Pads
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Fits
Fluval 3 Plus
Part no.
A191
Fluval 3 Plus Polyester Pads
A clogged pad, not a tired motor, is usually why flow has dropped.
This is the genuine Fluval A191 polyester pad for the Fluval 3 Plus internal filter – the mechanical polishing stage that traps the fine particulate foam alone lets through. The 3 Plus was discontinued some years ago in favour of the current Fluval U3, but the media is still made, so a 3 Plus that still runs doesn't need retiring just because the pads got harder to find.
Key features
- Genuine Fluval A191 – cut to the Fluval 3 Plus media chamber, so it sits without gaps that let water bypass the pad.
- Mechanical polishing stage – traps fine floating debris that foam media alone doesn't catch, the difference between filtered water and clear water.
- Sold as a 4-pack – enough for a clean-and-dirty rotation instead of waiting for one pad to fully clog before replacing it.
- Keeps an older filter working – the genuine pad for a superseded model, not a generic cut-to-fit substitute.
Specifications
| Manufacturer part number | A191 |
|---|---|
| Sold as | Pack of 4 |
| Media type | Polyester mechanical pad |
| Filter fitted | Fluval 3 Plus internal filter |
| Water type | Freshwater and marine |
Will it fit my filter?
Fits the Fluval 3 Plus internal filter specifically. It does not fit the current Fluval U3, which replaced the 3 Plus and uses a different media format – check the model printed on the filter body if you're unsure which one you have.
What's included, and not included
Includes 4 x polyester pad. Does not include the foam insert or carbon pad the Fluval 3 Plus also uses – separate media, sold separately where available.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for anyone still running a Fluval 3 Plus internal filter. Not suitable for the current U3, or for any canister filter – this is internal filter media only.
Care and maintenance
Replace when the pad has gone grey and matted and flow has visibly dropped, rather than on a fixed schedule – how fast that happens depends on stocking and how often the tank is cleaned.
Warranty and delivery
Supplied as a genuine Fluval replacement part. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply in full and nothing here limits them. Ships as a standard small parcel anywhere in Australia.
Common questions
Does this fit the Fluval U3?
No. The U3 replaced the 3 Plus and uses a different media format. This pad is genuine-fit for the 3 Plus only.
How often should I replace the pad?
When it's visibly grey, matted or clogged and flow has dropped – not on a fixed interval, since that depends on your tank's bioload.
My Fluval 3 Plus is hard to source parts for – what's the alternative?
Fluval's current equivalent is the U3 Underwater Filter, rated to 150 L (40 US gal). It's a different filter, not a drop-in replacement, but it's the model Fluval still supports.
