Elvishswimmer

I recently purchased a Cascade 300 for my 37G tank.
I had a top fin 40 working in there right now, but decided that I wanted something with a bit more GPH, so I got this one.
I remember everyone on this site recommending an Aquaclear, but when I went to the LFS the guy there recommended this Cascade. He said he has been in the hobby for over 40 years, and all his tank seemed to look pretty good, with fish not over crowded, bettas were in individual tanks that looked to be ~3-5G, all the fish seemed overal happy, and so I trusted him, and got the filter. Not to mention I got $10 off, because the cashier was like "Halloween special!" So I thought it was a pretty good deal.

I looked on this site for reviews and couldn't find much, it seems most people just don't have it, or don't have much to say about it. I looked other places online and there were mixed reviews. Some loved it, some preferred others.

But I bought mine and set it up now, so I guess I'm keeping it.

I'm planning on getting a goldfish tank (still cycling right now), and because they are pretty messy, I'm worried about having to replace the filter media too often. I looked online and found this DIY thing for this filter:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article..._tricks_ii.php

What do you guys think? Does this option look like a good idea to keep my tank well filtered? I would probably keep my carbon filters to run every once in a while to clean some of the stuff out, but this filter foam idea looks pretty cool.

One problem is that if I do decide to do this set up. I have NO CLUE where to find the stuff to make it. Do you guys have any ideas?

Thanks for reading!

Shawnie

I use the cascades on all of my bigger tanks..LOVE them....I do run carbon bags in them all as well..those get changed out once a month...the cascades also have baskets big enough to add a ton of extra media for the emergency's of setting up tanks

Elvishswimmer

Thanks for your reply Shawnie!
I guess I'll run it as is right now, and the next time I'm in the pond section of the fish store I may look for the materials listed on that site.
So then I'll have experience with both sides of the filter and see what I prefer

Shawnie

your welcome...do you have a walmart or craft store near by? I use the batting for quilts for extra media...you can cut it to size and it works fabulous..you get a huge bag for much cheaper than the filter media from your pet stores..or you can use 100% polyester that you use to stuff pillows with also.....just make sure either one is chemical free and has no dyes or perfumes added...good luck !