The Penn Plax Cascade canister should be the next thing you buy to keep your aquarium clean at all times.
Without a doubt, you will need an aquarium filter at some point, so make sure you get the right one, always. The Penn Plax cascade filter models are worth mentioning, thanks to the features that they can offer the user.
It is still among the most popular brands when it comes to making the best canister filters the users need for their aquariums.
Table of Contents
Durability
For a model to be used externally, it should offer good durability. This model definitely delivers on your need for having a highly durable canister filter.
It might be made of plastic, but it is a hard plastic, which lasts for a long time. The durability will also depend on just how much the user cares for it. If you want it to last even longer, make sure you give it regular maintenance.
Setting It Up
Setting up is often a scary part for most users. You have to make sure that the filter is set up properly to deliver the right filtration process.
The instructions for setting it up might often seem limited, but it should not be hard to do it yourself. There is no need to call a plumber to help with installation.
Many customers even claim to have managed to set it up in just 15 minutes, but keep in mind it might take longer if it is the first time you are doing it.
Just make sure you tighten all the necessary hoses and rubber tubing on the filter. This will ensure it gets to work correctly when turned on.
Flow Rate and Capacity
Having a good flow rate is important to the whole filtration process. Thanks to the model’s superior capacity, this model can offer a flow rate of about 312 gallons per hour.
Well, that is a lot of water it can filter in an hour. The best part is, it can be used on even larger aquariums, up to capacity 150 gallons.
The inclusion of a spray bar helps with making water aeration and circulation much easier than before. It also ensures that all your aquarium water gets filtered in the shortest time possible.
Filtration Media
This is an important part of any canister filter for an aquarium. The idea is to have a product that can actually deliver the best filtration process in the end.
It all depends on the filtration media used in the filtration process. The model comes with 3 large filter trays, which should be sufficient enough to help with the whole filtration process. No dirt would be able to get past such filtration media.
What about Cleaning?
The canister filter also might need cleaning at some point. Cleaning it is essential to ensure that it keeps on working correctly. The model is made to be quite easy to clean at the moment.
First, you need to turn off the intake valve and then disconnect the hose, as you will not want any water leaks. Unplug the filter from its mounting position and wash it in a sink.
Opening it should not be hard if you just follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as given in the product manual. Once you are done with the product maintenance, you can connect it back to proceed with the filtration process.
Priming Time
To help make the priming process easier on the user, the model comes with an easy push-down button. You no longer have to siphon water into the filter to get it working.
The manufacturer advises that you push the button down for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will make the filter pump out all the air and start running so the filtration process can take place.
Keep an eye on the water bubbles. When the filter is first filled, there might be bubbles as it is pumping out the air from the canister.
If after 3 minutes you see more bubbles, it simply means there might be a problem with the filter connection. More bubbles are due to the air leaking into the canister. Make sure the canister is well connected at this point.
Pros
Multi-stage filtration gets all the dirt out
The tubes and connectors supplied with the model are of high quality
The self-priming feature is great for most aquariums
A spray bar important for water circulation is included
Cons
Priming the model for the first time and after cleaning can be a challenge
The model consumes a lot of power as it is rated 27 watts
Penn Plax Cascade 500 Canister Aquarium Filter Review unboxing
Verdict
So you have an idea of what you will be getting when buying such a model, you can always proceed to buy one today if the review helped you out. At its price, it is surely among the affordable canister filters you can buy today.
I also purchased the Cascade 1500 and am so happy with it that I purchased two more Cascade 1500 filters and a Cascade 1200 for my other setups. It is easy to use and very affordable.
Takes a lot of power 27 watts. I like it too though. Have one. Tried Fluval 406. Great filter. 6 watts. only for 100 gal and down. Cascade keep[s it crystal clear…
Great filter. Is it possible to make the spray bar lower in turtle tank. Are there extensions to go down lower then across. High above water level is noisy and splashes
My daughter has a turtle too and we were losing a lot of water to condensation from out spray being too high. I put the whole hard tube part upside down in tank with two sections of spray bar and the flow fin on the end at water level. Works great and silent! I used suction cups to hold in place. I couldn’t find an extension or cheap tubing.
I have just purchased a 700 series cascade canister filter, I have a turtle tank one good size turtle 75 gallon tank we run 2/3 full so say 50 gallons I’ve had bubble up and back mounted filters as well as this fake rock cartridge type none of them can keep up with the filth we change the water often and after last weeks filter upgrade and water change I can see it going down hill towards a swamp like environment the water is getting more cloudy daily ( much slower than the others) but I’m losing the fight I know turtles are dirty but is my filter to small is there a different media to use show about floss and charcoal old school? any input would be helpful Thanks
When you buy a filter for a turtle tank you need to multiply the tank size by 2-3 times. So at 65 gal you needed a filter for at least 130 gal or 195 gal. Turtles are very messy. Your filter size choice is the problem. It is way undersized for use with a turtle. You need at least the 1200 series or better the 1500 series. Always choose bigger if you can afford it. You could maybe get by with buying another 700 series and running them both. But if you can, I would buy a 1500 series as turtles grow and you will end up needing a bigger tank for him. With the larger filter you are one step ahead.
I have a 72 gallon tank I want to put two turtles and some fish I have in my mind right now for the winter. Would this filter be insufficient? It says it’s filter capacity is up to 100 gallons.
Cleaning my cascade 700 for the first had two Circle baskets fall out one goes into the top tray but the other one is not listed & can’t find any information on it
First day,couldn’t get my cascade 1000 going,at all. Very fustrating. 2cd day,I took it all apart,put it back tigether,filled canister wuth aquarium water,poured water into intake tube,put it in tank,turned both valves on,plugged it in,and it’s working awesome. ?? Can I adjust intake and outake switches,so outflow isn’t so powerful? My 6 year old,1 lb. chocolate vieltail,is getting mived around ti much,along with all my plants. Is it ok to adjust the inflow and outflow valves,for a gentler flow. Only have a 30 gal tank now. Will get 50 gal next.
You need a bigger filter. Go 2 times or even 3 times the size of your tank, not the water that’s in it. It’s tank foot print not water amount the filters work against. That 700 is way small for turtles. What you read on the box applied to fish
I PURCHASED THE CASCADE 1500 FOR MY 75 GALLON CHICLID TANK & IT WORKS AS ADVERTISED. THANK YOU SO MUCH
I also purchased the Cascade 1500 and am so happy with it that I purchased two more Cascade 1500 filters and a Cascade 1200 for my other setups. It is easy to use and very affordable.
Takes a lot of power 27 watts. I like it too though. Have one. Tried Fluval 406. Great filter. 6 watts. only for 100 gal and down. Cascade keep[s it crystal clear…
Great filter. Is it possible to make the spray bar lower in turtle tank. Are there extensions to go down lower then across. High above water level is noisy and splashes
My daughter has a turtle too and we were losing a lot of water to condensation from out spray being too high. I put the whole hard tube part upside down in tank with two sections of spray bar and the flow fin on the end at water level. Works great and silent! I used suction cups to hold in place. I couldn’t find an extension or cheap tubing.
I have just purchased a 700 series cascade canister filter, I have a turtle tank one good size turtle 75 gallon tank we run 2/3 full so say 50 gallons I’ve had bubble up and back mounted filters as well as this fake rock cartridge type none of them can keep up with the filth we change the water often and after last weeks filter upgrade and water change I can see it going down hill towards a swamp like environment the water is getting more cloudy daily ( much slower than the others) but I’m losing the fight I know turtles are dirty but is my filter to small is there a different media to use show about floss and charcoal old school? any input would be helpful Thanks
When you buy a filter for a turtle tank you need to multiply the tank size by 2-3 times. So at 65 gal you needed a filter for at least 130 gal or 195 gal. Turtles are very messy. Your filter size choice is the problem. It is way undersized for use with a turtle. You need at least the 1200 series or better the 1500 series. Always choose bigger if you can afford it. You could maybe get by with buying another 700 series and running them both. But if you can, I would buy a 1500 series as turtles grow and you will end up needing a bigger tank for him. With the larger filter you are one step ahead.
I have a 72 gallon tank I want to put two turtles and some fish I have in my mind right now for the winter. Would this filter be insufficient? It says it’s filter capacity is up to 100 gallons.
Cleaning my cascade 700 for the first had two Circle baskets fall out one goes into the top tray but the other one is not listed & can’t find any information on it
First day,couldn’t get my cascade 1000 going,at all. Very fustrating. 2cd day,I took it all apart,put it back tigether,filled canister wuth aquarium water,poured water into intake tube,put it in tank,turned both valves on,plugged it in,and it’s working awesome. ?? Can I adjust intake and outake switches,so outflow isn’t so powerful? My 6 year old,1 lb. chocolate vieltail,is getting mived around ti much,along with all my plants. Is it ok to adjust the inflow and outflow valves,for a gentler flow. Only have a 30 gal tank now. Will get 50 gal next.
I had bought in this product on July 1st 2019 February 2020 the motor kick the bucket it did not keep my fish tank clean it’s not worth it at all.
Easy to install come with all necessary accessories
You need a bigger filter. Go 2 times or even 3 times the size of your tank, not the water that’s in it. It’s tank foot print not water amount the filters work against. That 700 is way small for turtles. What you read on the box applied to fish