Fluval FX5/FX6 Medium Fine Polishing Pads 3 Pack
Pack size
3 pads
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Fits
Fluval FX4, Fluval FX5, Fluval FX6
Part no.
A248
Fluval FX5/FX6 Medium Fine Polishing Pads 3 Pack
The last filter stage between cloudy and crystal-clear water. This is the genuine Fluval medium-fine polishing pad, Fluval part number A248, sold on this site under the Hagen part code FA35, for the Fluval FX4, FX5 and FX6 canister filters. Sold as a 3-pack, these pads sit at the top of the media stack and catch the fine particles biological and mechanical media leave behind.
Key features
- Genuine Fluval media — sized to fit the FX-series media basket exactly, with no gaps for water to bypass.
- Medium-fine density — polishes water clarity without choking flow the way a very fine pad can.
- 3-pack — keep a spare on hand so a swap doesn't mean an unfiltered day while you order more.
- Fresh and marine safe — the same pad is used across both water types.
Specifications
| Manufacturer part number | A248 (also listed as FA35) |
|---|---|
| Fits | Fluval FX4, Fluval FX5, Fluval FX6 |
| Pack size | 3 pads |
| Media type | Mechanical polishing pad, medium-fine density |
| Water type | Freshwater and marine |
Will it fit my filter?
These pads fit the Fluval FX4, FX5 and FX6 canister filters — they're sized for the media basket shared across the whole FX range. Fit is by media basket, not by filter generation, so this is one of the few FX spares that also suits the smaller FX4.
What's included
- 3 x medium-fine polishing pads
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for any Fluval FX4, FX5 or FX6 running fresh or marine water. Not suitable for Fluval's smaller internal or hang-on filters, which use a different media format.
Care and maintenance
Rinse in used tank water at each service rather than tap water, to protect the biological colony living in the rest of the media stack. These pads are a consumable — once they've gone grey and won't rinse clean, or have started to break apart, replace rather than keep reusing them, since a collapsing pad lets fine particles straight through.
Goes well with
- Fluval FX5/FX6 motor seal ring — worth checking whenever the media basket is out for a pad change.
- Fluval FX5/FX6 impeller assembly — the part to check if flow feels weak even with fresh pads fitted.
Warranty and delivery
This part is covered by your rights under Australian Consumer Law. It ships as a small parcel with standard delivery.
Common questions
How often should I replace the polishing pads?
Fluval doesn't publish a fixed interval — replace when a rinse in tank water no longer restores clarity or the pad has started to break apart, rather than on a calendar.
Do these fit the Fluval FX4 as well as the FX5 and FX6?
Yes — the media basket, and therefore the pad size, is shared across all three models.
Will using these clog my filter faster than coarser media?
They sit as the final polishing stage after coarser mechanical and biological media, so they catch what's already been through the rest of the stack rather than the bulk of the debris.
Can I rinse and reuse these pads?
Yes, several times, until they no longer rinse clean or start to fall apart.
