|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 11 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Not enough power. Oct 07, 2005
By Andrew Aupperle
This product had a difficult time keeping up with my 10 gallon tank. The water was so dirty, so I went and got the Cascade Power Filter 100 and the differance is outstanding. This product would probobly work better with a tank less than 10 gallons.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Happy Customer, and Happy Gouramis! Mar 23, 2012
By Jeremy Storly
After researching a number of different filters for my 20-gallon gourami tank, I decided to give this one a try. It is designed with function in mind, including an adequate system of bio-filtration and flow control. Flow control, though simple in design, is a nice feature to have that is sadly lacking on many HOB filters. This feature was important to me as gouramis are labyrinth fish who prefer slow-moving water, and I wanted the ability to adjust the flow, if necessary.
One reason I hesitated to invest in this filter is that, although the filter itself is very reasonably priced, the replacement filter cartridges are somewhat expensive. Fortunately, the size of the intake tube is just right to use one of these pre-filters: Pre-Filter Sponge 3 Pack for Fluval Edge Aquarium This increases the biological filtration even more while filtering small particles before they ever enter the filter itself. I simply rinse the pre-filter in aquarium water ever two weeks or so and replace the filter cartridge once a month, since activated carbon expires monthly. Rinsing the pre-filter is an easy step, since this has an extendable intake tube, making it easy to detach the endpiece from the filter itself without having to actually pull the sponge off the intake every time. The filter even continues to run while I do this, as long as the end of the intake is submersed. As an added bonus, my flower shrimp loves to eat the particles of food that collect on the sponge, and as a filter feeder, she enjoys the luxury of hanging on the intake to make use of the flow without the danger of being harmed by the filter intake. Meanwhile, between some tinkering with the flow control and the addition of the sponge, the flow itself is weak enough to not upset my male/female pair of gouramis, who are able to blow bubble nests and engage in spawning behavior. Even though this is only a 20-gallon tank, the flower shrimp, clown pleco and mystery snails have their own space, and the gouramis have theirs. Having a sponge pre-filter and flow control also benefits the live plants in my tank, especially the java fern, which proliferates easily and abundantly, but often can be damaged by filter intakes when the young ferns float about the tank before finding a piece of driftwood or other material where they can grow.
In terms of reliability, I have run this filter steadily for four months as of the writing of this review, and, used in conjunction with some additional sponge filters, this has proven itself to be reliable. It is self-priming and consistently restarts automatically following a power outage. It even runs steadily during a partial water change, and the 'Bio-Falls' system seems to provide additional aeration for the water, which is important not only for providing oxygen for my water-breathing creatures, but helps remove toxic substances, which benefits all of the creatures in my tank, including the air-breathing gouramis.
To conclude, I will provide a brief list of pros and cons:
PROS:
1. It is inexpensive
2. It is effective in terms of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration
3. It is reliable and self-priming
4. It fits the inexpensive Fluval sponge pre-filters
5. It has flow control
CONS:
1. Replacement cartridges are not easily found in stores
2. Replacement cartridges are expensive (but this can be easily addressed by using an inexpensive sponge pre-filter, extending the cartridge life to at least a full month)
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Excellent aquarium filter Aug 26, 2010
By M. Delatorre
"Texas"
The cascade 100 hang on aquarium filter is an excellent choice for your filtration system. It has the bio-sponge for beneficial bacteria and the waterfall release also grows benefical bac. for your fish. Very quiet and hangs perfectly on my tall hex-aquarium. Overall I love this filter. Just make sure you do your water changes and filter changes on opposite weeks. You will kill some benefical bacterica when you do either. But the other will suffice till new bacteria grows.
Cascade 300 filter up to 100 gals per min May 10, 2012
By D
Honestly,, This product is GREAT!!! I use ONLY THIS for a filter on my saltwater tank (55 gals) I have 4 anemones a Blue tang, puffer, picoso trigger, 2 clown fish.. NO problems with the filtration. I stand by this product.. NOW that being said,, I do need a NEW gasket for the motor between the box and the motor itself.. I am finding this alittle hard to get, BUT I do have it on order.. $1.99 part. I guess the years of saltwater did it in and it started to leak.. When I bought this item it was $49.00 NOW its $30.00 something.. AWESOME!!!!!!
One of the best aquarium filters by far! Feb 10, 2012
By Jason Almonte
While these Penn-Plax Cascade hanging aquarium filters are difficult to find, they are by far some of the best aquarium filtration units that you can purchase. They can clean out a filthy, just-disturbed tank in a matter of hours - they are whisper-silent and keep the water crystal clear. I highly recommend them!
See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
