{"product_id":"fluval-poly-carbon-cartridge-2-pack","title":"Fluval Poly\/Carbon Cartridge (2 pack)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenuine Fluval poly\/carbon cartridges for the U2 or U3 underwater filter, combining mechanical and chemical filtration in one cartridge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each pack holds two cartridges — one poly-floss face to trap fine debris, one activated-carbon face to pull colour and odour out of the water — sized to drop straight into the U2 or U3 media basket.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-stage cartridge\u003c\/strong\u003e — polyester floss for mechanical filtration, activated carbon for chemical filtration, in one drop-in piece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuine Fluval fit\u003c\/strong\u003e — sized specifically for the U2 (part A490) or U3 (part A491) media basket, sold as separate variants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2 cartridges per pack\u003c\/strong\u003e — enough for two monthly changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo rinsing or soaking\u003c\/strong\u003e — drops straight in and is discarded when spent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my filter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVariant\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFits\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePart number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eU2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFluval U2 Underwater Filter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA490\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eU3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFluval U3 Underwater Filter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA491\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe U2 and U3 cartridges are sized differently and are not interchangeable — order the variant that matches your filter model, printed on the filter body.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 cartridges\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMedia type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoly floss (mechanical) + activated carbon (chemical), combined\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReplacement interval\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMonthly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFluval's own filter manual specifies replacing the poly\/carbon cartridge monthly on U2, U3 and U4 filters. Carbon only removes colour and odour for a few weeks before it exhausts and starts releasing what it's trapped back into the water, so leaving a cartridge in past that point does more harm than good.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable for routine monthly media changes on a U2 or U3 filter. Not suitable if you're dosing medication in the same tank — activated carbon will strip most medications out of the water, so remove the cartridge before treating and replace it once the course is finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovered by Fluval's standard replacement-parts warranty against manufacturing defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eHow often should I change this cartridge?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eMonthly, per Fluval's own maintenance guidance for the U2\/U3\/U4 range.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs the U2 cartridge the same as the U3 cartridge?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — they're sized for each filter's media basket and sold as separate variants (A490 for U2, A491 for U3).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eShould I remove it while treating with medication?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — activated carbon will absorb most medications, reducing their effectiveness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDo I need to rinse it before use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — it's ready to drop straight into the media basket.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"U2","offer_id":55242291249443,"sku":"BA3802","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"U3","offer_id":55335441105187,"sku":"BA3807","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/fluval-poly-carbon-cartridge-43180003688739.webp?v=1790237816","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fluval-poly-carbon-cartridge-2-pack","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}