Penn Plax Filters

[James0816]

Anyone familiar with these guys? Using them? Are they good? Quiet?

Need to replace my penguin and looking at a canister type. Seems the price is ok. I would like a Fluval but the price difference is keeping at the lower end of the spectrum.

Thx

[abcdefghi]

I picked up a one of the Cascade canisters a couple weeks ago, so far its doing a great job. I would have liked a Rena/Eheim, but could not afford it. A few people on here have the Cascade canisters and like them.

Mine is pretty quiet, its not silent, but sitting inside the stand you can barely hear it. I have it stuffed with sponge, floss and bio balls. If you are Ok waiting on shipping check the classifieds/eBay for a Fluval. Otherwise I would say the Cascade is fine.

[Blueiz]

Check out ebay for cannnister filters, and look at kensfish.com. I will never buy equipment such as that from a lfs again, they have like a 300 percent plus mark up on it.

[abcdefghi]

I will never buy equipment such as that from a lfs again, they have like a 300 percent plus mark up on it.

I would 100% agree with this, if it were not for the fact that I needed a filter immediately I would have bought mine online (and most likely ended up with a different filter for the same price as what I paid).

[severum mama]

The Cascade is just ok to me. I have a 1000 that was given to me and it's decent. However, it is louder than both my Fluval and Rena canisters, and was a lot more difficult to set up (took FOREVER to get it primed). I would have been disappointed if I had paid for it. If you're on a budget then clearly Eheim is out of the question, but if there is any way you could spend the extra cash on a Fluval or Rena canister, IMO you will be much happier in the long run. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. ;)

And, as much as I like to support local business, I'm with Blueiz... there's no way I can afford filters at lfs prices.

[Draal5]

I have 4 cascade 1000's and 2 700's mine are almost silent. I have never had a problem priming one. my marineland c220 now that is a bear to restart.

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

i have a cascade 1000 canister never a problem great filter.

[tonytheboss1]

I would 100% agree with this, if it were not for the fact that I needed a filter immediately I would have bought mine online (and most likely ended up with a different filter for the same price as what I paid).

:) Odds are you could have bought it on-line & had it shipped overnite & still beat the LFS price!! "T"

[James0816]

How about the Penn-Plex 700 vs. the Eheim 2213.

[abcdefghi]

:) Odds are you could have bought it on-line & had it shipped overnite & still beat the LFS price!! "T"

You are probably right, but my filter had died and I needed an immediate replacement. I think even with overnight shipping though it would have been too long (mine died on a Sunday, so the order would probably not have been processed/shipped until Monday arriving Tuesday).

I don't think my tank would have done so well being unfiltered for that long.

[jm1212]

the canisters may be adequate, but the HOB cascade filters perform poorly (might be a sign of brand quality)

my Cascade 150 does have a flow adjuster and two media slots and a bio falls thing, but it just does not filter the water as well as my Penguin 150's did. so IMO, cascade is good for a bargain, but if you want to get the good filter save up a little bit longer or check for deals.

[fishdaze]

I have a cascade 700 and it works great. Very quiet and a breeze to prime. It takes like 2 pushes on the prime button and that's it. I use the spray bar attachment and It provides great water flow. Personally I would recommend it.

[Cory Keeper]

I've read both good and bad reviews on them. Kind of in the same league as the Fluvals.... if that gives you any idea.

[tjg2007]

I use a cascade 1000, 700, 300, and a 200. The 300 and 200 are hobs and so far all work great. The 700 was the first canister filter I got and I have never had any isues with to date. The set up and everything for it was super easy. I was given an older fluval once that was a bear to set up.

[J double R]

had a cascade canister.. hated it. will never use a penn-plax canister again.