Wild One

I have a 75 gallon tank with freshwater fish and plants. I now have an Aqua-Clear 500 (110). My water quality remains excellent. 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. Nitrates remain around 20-25 even doing PWC every week. My fish are healthy and are not stressed. My well water nitrate level is 5. I want to buy a canister filter. So far my research shows that a Penn Plax 1000 to 1200 would be a great additional filter for my requirements. I just want to filter more area of the tank and be able to rotate the cleanings. Now I alternate cleaning/changing the foam and carbon in the Aqua Clear. Is the Penn Plax filter a good choice for a canister filter. It seems to be a durable, reliable, and efficient filter. Any comments or recommendations are appreciated.

capekate

I have the Penn Plax Cascade 1500 Canister filter for my 125. I have to say I was nervous about using a canister for the first time, as I always used the HOB Aqua Clear filters. But I just love this canister! Finally, silent running... and ooo soo quiet. I would recommend the Penn Plax for sure.

Wild One

Thank you Kate. I have always liked the Aquaclears, but I want to add something different in addition. You were the only reply I received but it was positive. I will update you once I receive and install the new Penn Plax.
Thanks again!

capekate

Your welcome and good luck with that,
have you decided which size Penn Plax you are going to get for the 75?

Wild One

Hi Kate,

I am either going to go with the 1000 or the 1200. My AquaClear 500 does a fine job now. I just want to pick up and filter a little more water from a differend area of he aquarium. To answer the question, No, I have not decided.

Shawnie

im a total penn plax user also..i swear by them and now that im use to mine, i got 3 more lol ...if you are keeping your aquaclear, id say your 1000 plax would be fine

Wild One

Thank you Shawnie. I think I will go with the 1000. Where is the best place to purchase that?

gmen4life

yeah the cascade seems to be cool i got mine a week ago real easy to set up. i think im going to buy another and get of my 2 hob cascde 300,s

harpua2002

I much prefer the Rena or Fluval canisters to the Cascade, and I've run all 3 brands for several years. The Cascade was ok for me, but compared to other canisters mine is loud and rather inefficient. I also didn't like the way it primed, but hey, I'm glad that others have had better experiences with theirs. Mine is the Cascade 1000. I may get it out again to run in conjunction with an XP2 for an upcoming tank, they are both just sitting in the garage. LOL