Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter Review

Last Updated on April 24, 2023 by Coral Realm

Penn-Plax Cascade All-in-One Aquarium Canister Filter – for Tanks Up to 200 Gallons (350 GPH) – Cascade 1500

CASCADE 1500 CANISTER FILTER: Without effort, the Cascade 1500 Canister Filter quietly delivers crystal clear water throughout the tank. This filter cycles water at 350 Gallons per Hour, and is recommended for aquariums up to 200 gallons. It’s compatible for both freshwater and saltwater fish tanks, and is also great for turtle habitats.
STATE OF THE ART FEATURES: In addition to the push button primer that allows for a simple and quick prime, this Canister Filter also features two independent valve taps that rotate 360°. This makes for easy maneuvering, even in the tightest aquarium cabinets. The 5 stackable, large capacity media baskets give aquarists the ability to customize filtration.
FILTER MEDIA: This Canister Filter comes standard with 5 Poly Fiber Floss Pads, 1 Coarse Bio-Sponge, and 1 Bag of Activated Carbon. In addition to optimizing the colonization of anaerobic bacteria, this filter traps floating particulate matter, removes harmful chemicals and toxins, clears up discolorations, and reduces foul odors from your aquarium’s water.
ITEMS INCLUDED: 2 Independent Valve Taps, Push Button Primer, Flow Rate Control Cut-Off Valves, Swimming-Pool Style Hose Clamps, 4 Easy Lift Alignment Clamps, Sturdy Tip-Proof Base, 5 Large Capacity Media Baskets, 5 Poly Fiber Floss Pads, 1 Coarse Bio-Sponge, and 1 Bag of Activated Carbon.
MEASUREMENTS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO: The Cascade 1500 Canister Filter measures 11.5” (W) x 12” (D) x 20.5” (H). Additional Info = 110 Volts / 60 Hz / 45.5 W.

Without fail every aquarium needs a filter to keep it clean and looking good. So ensure you get the correct filter for your tank. Without the right filter your aquarium will be susceptible to algal blooms and a build up of debris. The Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter is just the thing you need to keep your aquarium healthy and clean.

The Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter models are kept in the conversation of great filters thanks to the range of attributes and features that they offer.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter Review

Setup

Setup is often the tricky part; while setting up a canister filter for those in the know or who have done it before is a piece of cake, it can seem intimidating for those new to the aquarium scene.

Instructions for setup often can seem pretty limited, but don’t worry it shouldn’t be too difficult and there’s no need to call someone in to do it for you. Many people who have used this model have claimed to be able to set it up in only 15 minutes. These might be people with previous experience though, so don’t worry if it takes you longer.

Give the hoses and tubings and extra tighten, and double check the fittings to ensure that you don’t get leaks and that the filter operates correctly when switched on

Priming Time

An easy push down button helps to keep priming time down and make the process easier and less stressful. With this model you don’t need to siphon water to the filter to kick start it, so no more mouthfuls if aquarium water!! The guidelines given by the manufacturer advise that the button be pressed for between five and ten minutes to ensure that all the air is pumped out to ensure that the filtration process can commence smoothly.

To check if the filter is connected properly and working correctly watch the bubbles. There might be bubbles when you initially fill the filter as it is going to be pumping out trapped air. If after around three minutes though there are still bubbles it means there might be a problem with a connection, as these bubbles are from air leaking into the system. Simply ensure that all the connections are tight and sealed.

Durability

External filters need to be able to offer decent durability for external use. This model of Penn Plax Cascade Canister fits the bill when it comes to durability. While it is constructed from plastic, it is a hard durable plastic which lasts for an extended time period.

How long the model lasts is also dependent on how much care and maintenance you put into it. To keep the durability and extend life ensure to check and undertake maintenance on it regularly.

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.

Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter

Flow Rate And Capacity

A decent flow rate is essential to the filtration process and operational capacity. This model can boast a flow rate of roughly 312 gallons per hour. That statistic is very impressive. Due to this large capacity this model can be used on larger aquariums up to 150 gallons as well as smaller ones.

Water circulation and aeration is very important to the health of the animals in your aquarium. A spray bar is included in this filter which helps with circulation and aeration whilst also helping to ensure the filtration process takes as little time as possible.

Easy Of Maintenance

Cleaning the canister filter is vital to ensure consistent performance and to ensure performance levels don’t drop. This model is designed to be easily cleaned and maintained. First thing first, the intake valve should be turned off then the hose can be disconnected to prevent leaks.

The next step is to unplug the filter from it’s mounting and wash and rinse it in a sink or bucket. But remember to only use the old aquarium water.

Follow the instructions to open the filter; it should be simple but following the manufacturer’s guidelines will ensure you don’t damage the filter. Simply connect everything back up once you’re done with the maintenance and filtration will commence once again.

Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter Setup

Conclusion

At the price it’s going for, the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter is well amongst the top group of affordable canister filters. The pros vastly outweigh the cons.

The multi-stage filtration ensures a clean and healthy tank. You can equip the filter baskets with different filter media which will catch everything!

This aquarium canister filter is also made of high quality materials. From the tubes and connectors supplied to the outside casing i t feels very solid so you can be sure it is well-made.

Priming is kept simple and easy by the self-priming feature, which is ideal for many aquariums. A spray bar is also included which is important for water circulation.

The only negatives are that the first time priming can be an issue, and it is rated at 27 Watts, so this model does eat up a lot of power. However these shouldn’t be enough to stop you from buying one for your aquarium.