The effect of different methods for fly ash treatment using conventional chemical, sonochemical and microwave method on dye adsorption in aqueous solution was investigated. Three basic dyes, methylene blue, crystal violet and rhodamine B, are employed for adsorption testing. It is found that fly ash shows different adsorption capacity depending on type of dyes. Chemical treatment using HCl will increase the adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity of HCl treated fly ash varies with the preparation conditions. Microwave treatment is a fast and efficient method while producing the sample with the highest adsorption capacity. Solution pH and inorganic salts in dye solution can significantly influence the adsorption. The adsorption data have been analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms. The results indicate that the Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson models provide the better correlations with the experimental data.