| Dog | | | Cat | | | Fish | | | Small Animal | | | Reptile & Amphibian | | | Bird | | | Wild Bird | | | Specialty Stores |
PETCO.com Ratings and Reviews
Books & Media(21)
Decor(230)
Feeders(40)
Filter Media(88)
Filters(652)
Filters & Pumps(25)
Food(420)
Furniture(3)
Heaters(107)
Hoods & Lighting(60)
Maintenance(178)
Medication(44)
Pond(9)
Protein Skimmers(26)
Reef Care(28)
Salt Mixes(46)
Thermometers(37)
Shop Now At PETCO.com
Shop Filters or
Top-Rated Products
Top Rated Product
Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Heavy-duty external filter delivers powerful mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration for crystal clear water in fresh or marine aquariumsExtra-large capacity stackable filter medium containersThree year warranty
Average Customer Rating:
out of
5
(39 Reviews)33 of 39(85%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Quality:
4
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Performance:
5
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: A wet finger
Trouble Priming then it humms!!
Date: May 16, 2006
"After installing the tubing on the tank and suction lines, I found allowing a powerhead within the tank to blow into the open end of the suction line, removing the screen obviously, it primes almost instantly!! I have a 125gal and own two cascade 1000s for it. Literally scrubs the water!"
Review 2 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: jayskee64
great buy
Date: October 6, 2009
"just bought the pen tax 700 . over all its a great filter for the price. (i have read reviews saying its hard to prime this filter)not true ,after putting everything togather fill your canister with water to proper level like inst. say then fill the tubes with water with valves shut.conect tubes to filter then open . you still have to pump about 10 times but not nearly as much if you dont do it the way i sugest above. 10X with tubes full of water-30-50 times with no water in tubes."
Review 3 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: r1ridda
Under Rated
Date: September 21, 2009
"Bought the 1000 for a 75gal tank acouple days ago and works perfectly. No leaks, cracks, or noise coming from this filter. I did prime it about 10 times becuase of other reviews, however, it took a total of 15 mins for it to get all the air bubbles out of the lines. i would definetly recommend and plan on buying another one for my 55gal."
Review 4 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: leadhead
Poor Value
Date: September 16, 2009
"I purchased this to give my fish the cleanest healthiest home possible.
I can honestly say it has made no difference, My whisper 900 made more difference than this did.
The set up was easy enough using logic instead of the very useless directions.It took about an hour for all the air pockets to be purged and after that fairly quiet.
Overall I would say to avoid this series all together.
There is so much bypass around the filter baskets it makes this filter useless. They should investigate putting seals around the outer edge of the baskets."
I can honestly say it has made no difference, My whisper 900 made more difference than this did.
The set up was easy enough using logic instead of the very useless directions.It took about an hour for all the air pockets to be purged and after that fairly quiet.
Overall I would say to avoid this series all together.
There is so much bypass around the filter baskets it makes this filter useless. They should investigate putting seals around the outer edge of the baskets."
Review 5 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: DJsim
Great Filter
Date: July 24, 2009
"I bought the 700 version for my 30g fresh water tank. I bought it to replace my whisper hang on the back of tank filter. That was the original filter and it pretty much died. At first i was skeptical of this filter because of the price. It seemed to good to be true. For the first week i was trying to find faults with it and i couldn't. I generally had to change the water every 2 months. The tank has two rather large plants and has about 14 fish. With the use of this filter it has been about 5 months since i had changed the water and the fish are doing great. I am planning on doing a partial water change this weekend just to keep the chemical levels even. All in all i love this filter and recommend it to anyone who reads this review."
Review 6 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: Anonymous
Penn Plax Cascade 1000 purchase
Date: July 7, 2009
"I must say, I was skeptical to purchase this filter because of some of the comments on the reviews here. For the price and flow rate, especially it being on sale, I had to give it a go. Besides, Petco locations allow returns of online orders. I have had this running for a couple days, and I am really really happy with how it is doing. I am using this filter on a 36 gallon bowfront with a couple red scribbled discus. The people that gave it bad reviews because it was so hard to prime, I can almost guarantee they did not trim the hosing the proper length like the instructions said. I had no issues priming the tank with the recommended 4 pumps. I primed, waited a minute or so, then turn on the canister. It blew bubbles for about 20 seconds while the exhaust hose fulled, and viola. For the money, I highly highly recommend this to anyone!"
Review 7 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: catnturtles
Awesome!
Date: June 22, 2009
"I got the 1000 version as I have two turtles in the tank and they make a mess! It took me a bit to get it primed, but after using the advise of other reviews, I got it pretty easily. I filled the filter tank up completely, shut the intake and outtake valves, filled the hoses with water, then opened the valves at the same time and pumped like crazy. It sounds like a lot to do, but it's not that hard and it works every time! The water is amazing now, and I don't have to clean the tank nearly as often!!!! Yeah!!!!"
Review 8 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: hick
Puzzling
Date: May 21, 2009
"I have a 38 gallon tank, when I bought this filter I was expecting ( because of it's size) crystal clear water. Well I was sadly disappointed when (and still) my water stayed cloudy. I am not happy! For the money I spent I expected more. I should have listened to the guy at the store when he said "it's not worth the money".....oops."
Review 9 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: lovemycats24
love my new filter!
Date: May 19, 2009
"Well to start off...priming it was no easy task just like others have said..instruction manual states it takes about 4 pumps..I had to do it about 60! but other than that great product..my turtles love the cascade..it's been weeks and the water is clearer than it has ever been before! Overall very satisfied I just wish I would've known that it took more than 4 pumps..I give it 5 paws!"
Review 10 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: turtle101
its good but somethings u need to check up on
Date: April 3, 2009
"so here i am went to petco to get this filter it was a 500 and so i go to my uncles and open it the whole thing was cracked bottom torn apart, so we to to another petco and i get a 700 yes no cracks or anything just look before u buy"
Review 11 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: PMEshirt
Cascase 700 Priming Problems
Date: March 22, 2009
"I've read some of the other reviews regarding priming problems with these units. It took me hours to get mine primed. I had the filter hooked to an under gravel filter (UGF) so I could see the water filling throught the clear tube that connected to the UGF. The filter wouldn't hold a prime. When I plugged it in, it make terrible sounds; I actually thought the pump was going to burn-up. The pump prime finally took and the filter began circulating water. Works okay so far. One other thing I think may have contributed to the problem, according to the instructions all that was to be in the top filter basket was the filter floss pad. I think the floss pad was floating to the top of the canister and clogging the hole where the pump pulls water. The pump actually held the prime after I removed the filter floss from the top basket."
Review 12 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: alihagan
on again off again
Date: March 11, 2009
"This filter cuts out about every 15 hours and takes forever to get going again."
Review 13 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: turtlemaster
Frustrating!!
Date: December 31, 2008
"The directions for this tank filter should include set up for a tank that is not filled to the top, such as a tank for turtles. It does not auto fill with 4 pumps and it is a nightmare to get started. We returned the first tank, a 700 because it would not start. When we got the 500 set up and it wouldn't start up either we decided it must be us. After some thought we figured out the problem was due to the water level in the tank. Even when you know that, it is still difficult to prime. Our tank has very little water movement and the water is less clear than it was yesterday. Calls to the call center go unanswered. I am sure it will work great once I get the air out of the lines but that is difficult!! Two days and still no success."
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
Review 14 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: Anonymous
Great Filter
Date: December 9, 2008
"I would like to say the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter is a great filter system for the money. It was easy to setup and if it wasn't for the bubbles from my protein skimmer you wouldn't know I had water in the tank. The water is crystal clear. I have had no problems yet and would recommend this to all my freinds. This is setup on a 55 gallon saltwater tank. I would also like to say that you can't hear the filter run very nice."
Review 15 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: damivoo
terrible filters
Date: September 23, 2008
"this filter has been a pain in the neck since i bought it..the megia they make for it is small and thin and needs 2 be changed about every 3 days..i get maybe a week or so using regulaar foam inside..and now after 2 months its sprung a leak.. GARBAGE"
Review 16 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: ReefBoi
Awesome but...
Date: August 10, 2008
"Great price, great performance... But if you have an aquarium less than 20 gallons it will raise your water temperature up to 85.(it has a water-cooled motor) Watch out for that... even though thats the problem with my reef setup, I'm still going to keep this and enjoy it."
Review 17 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: bbk3
Cascade filter
Date: July 27, 2008
"Easy 2 install and quiet! Have tank in bedroom and the filter is very quiet. Petco online order and delivery FAST! and they are fantastic about returns 2 ur local store!"
Review 18 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: turtleturtle
Great Filter!!!
Date: July 6, 2008
"i originally bought an open box of the 700, but after 2 weeks found out it was missing parts which would explain the inability to filter the water. i took it back and got a brand new one on sale and within 2 hours, the water went from yellowish greenish to crystal clear in my 55 gallon tank. turtle is much happier and the feeder fish are more scared! definatly recommend to anyone."
Review 19 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: eckloss
Great value filter
Date: May 6, 2008
"Purchased the 700 model for use in my 55 gallon freshwater community tank.
Giving 5 paws because it is a wonderful filter for the price. however, there are a few things that a potential buyer should know that will make set-up alot easier!
First, the black tubing included with the filter was somewhat short for my needs. no problem though...i bought 20 feet of clear tubing from my local hardware store (about $8 total) 3/4" outside diam, 5/8 inside diam, to replace the original tubing. the other major advantage the store bought clear tubing has is that it allows you to see the water flow as you are priming the unit. the instructions say 4 pumps will prime it. in my case, with longer tubing, it was more like 60 pumps, but no big deal. i filled the canister with water before securing the top, and pumped it repeatedly until i could see both tubes filled with water, then plugged it in. worked like a charm!
the unit is VERY quiet, with almost no noticeable vibrations. the media seems easy enough to change. the handle on top of the unit makes it easy to take to your sink so you dont spill any water near your setup.
but the most important part - after only a couple of hours the water in the tank was CRYSTAL CLEAR. the spray bar is massive and fits well within a 55 gallon tank. its also able to be separated in the middle for smaller tanks. might get another one to split between my two 29 gallon tanks.
would be nice to see a UV option, but that can come later.
a great buy. get one!"
Review 20 for Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filters
Overall Rating:
out of
5
(based on 39 reviews)
Written By: Jaay
Over one year and still working fine!
Date: May 6, 2008
"I purchased the Cascade 700 over a year ago in use with my HOB filter set up with a 75 gal FOWLR tank. For the price and its design, it does quite well! I have had no performance issues so far. When I recieved my filter it had a defective part. I simply emailed Penn Plax directly and in less than 1 business week I got my part! At only 165 gph, I dont feel this meets the tank size it is recommended for, which I believe is 65 gallons. I'd go with the largest size you can get! The correct media can be challanging to find, but it is out there! Stock up."
