Which Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter to get?

For the Penn Plax Cascade, if I get a 1000 that’s rated for 100 gallons 265 gph for a 40 gallon tank, does that mean it’s going to be like a hurricane inside the tank? Would 700 rated for 65 gallon 185 gph be better? They’re like $2 apart

 

Get the 1000

 

I have a 500 that I've been using on my 36 gallon. My fish won't stop breeding so I'm preparing my 700 to either swap or run side by side

The big question is, what type of fish? Can they all handle the flow of the 1000?

I'll be cautious running the two side by side. I may only need the 700.

PS 700 should be plenty unless you're over stocked or over feed (I over feed).

 

I have a 500 that I've been using on my 36 gallon. My fish won't stop breeding so I'm preparing my 700 to either swap or run side by side

The big question is, what type of fish? Can they all handle the flow of the 1000?

I'll be cautious running the two side by side. I may only need the 700.

PS 700 should be plenty unless you're over stocked or over feed (I over feed).

I was hoping to add shrimps from my shrimp tank at some point but don’t want them to get all blown around. Is your 700 water current a lot stronger than 500?

 

You can always buffer the output with foam or something.

 

You can angle and buffer the flow in various ways. I'm not familiar with Penn Plax canisters, but many modern canisters also have flow control valves if you need to use them. I'd be inclined to choose the larger canister, especially since they are virtually the same price.

In all my years of keeping fish I've never wished I had bought a smaller filter, but occasionally the opposite.

 

If you use the spray bar, and the flow is too strong, just drill more holes in the spray bar. I had (2) 1500's on a 75 gallon tank and that is what I did and it helped immensely. You can also enlarge the holes that are already there.

And please remember that when they give you the ratings on these filters, the gph is with an empty filter and no "lift". Take in to account that you will have filter media in the filter, and along with the fact that it needs to return the water from the canister to your tank, and you will only get 60-70% of the advertised max gph.

 

The general rule of thumb is your fish tank should turn over your water volume at least 4x per hour for best efficiency. Considering loss from head pump lift (canisters typically 3-4 feet: 7-13% head loss alone), now add filter media baskets, tubing length, U bends from the input tube and output tubes and the 90 degree bend for your spray bar. Add your filter media jam packed with course, medium, fine pads, bio ceramic rings, porous media like Matrix, Biohome or Marine Pure Media, it now gets dirty and clogged in weeks. Your flow rate is reduced to about 50-60% or more. This is why you need a filter running at 8-10x your flow rate to bring you down to the recommended 4x flow.

For your 40 gallon tank it would be best to get a filter at 320- 400 gph for best efficiency.

 

They're kind of pricey, but Fluval canisters have flow control.

 

They're kind of pricey, but Fluval canisters have flow control.

Good point. The Cascade ones do as well. I just got tired of remembering where to set the valve for the output I wanted after I cleaned the filters. Drilling the extra holes solved the issue for me.

 

I have claimed 370 gph on my 40 gal. I do not know what I am actually getting. It creates a bit more flow than I would like. It has an outflow connected to a 90 degree splitter. I have a spray bar on one side and straight flow on the other. Considering a spray bar for the other split to mellow it out a bit. Also considering a pre-filter on the intake to slow it down some.

 

I have claimed 370 gph on my 40 gal. I do not know what I am actually getting. It creates a bit more flow than I would like. It has an outflow connected to a 90 degree splitter. I have a spray bar on one side and straight flow on the other. Considering a spray bar for the other split to mellow it out a bit. Also considering a pre-filter on the intake to slow it down some.

Be careful with a prefilter sponge on a canister. Make sure the sponge is porous enough that it doesn't impede water flow. People do it, but I would much rather try and adjust output rather than intake on a canister.

 

Be careful with a prefilter sponge on a canister. Make sure the sponge is porous enough that it doesn't impede water flow. People do it, but I would much rather try and adjust output rather than intake on a canister.

That is correct. If it is not porous enough it will cause cavitation of the impeller and will now have small air bubbles being expelled. Been there, done that. Clean the intake sponge every month too.

 

Be careful with a prefilter sponge on a canister. Make sure the sponge is porous enough that it doesn't impede water flow. People do it, but I would much rather try and adjust output rather than intake on a canister.

That is correct. If it is not porous enough it will cause cavitation of the impeller and will now have small air bubbles being expelled. Been there, done that. Clean the intake sponge every month too.

Good to know, thanks. I have guppies in the tank and expect fry. My additional motivation for the pre-filter is to avoid having fry sucked into the filter. Is there a porousness measurement that would be useful? Or is it more of a trial and error thing.

 

Good to know, thanks. I have guppies in the tank and expect fry. My additional motivation for the pre-filter is to avoid having fry sucked into the filter. Is there a porousness measurement that would be useful? Or is it more of a trial and error thing.

This is what I use for my canister and HOB intakes.

Amazon.com : uxcell 9pcs Yellow Blue Black 2.6inch Dia Pre-Filter Sponge Filter Media for Aquarium : Pet Supplies

Currently unavailable but you can find others.

 

This is what I use for my canister and HOB intakes.

Amazon.com : uxcell 9pcs Yellow Blue Black 2.6inch Dia Pre-Filter Sponge Filter Media for Aquarium : Pet Supplies

Currently unavailable but you can find others.

You put the sponge directly over the intake tube? I’ve never used one, so I'm wondering

 

You put the sponge directly over the intake tube? I’ve never used one, so I'm wondering

Yup, so it just covers it. If your sponge has both ends open and the bottom of your intake tube is not sealed totally then you would need to stuff a piece of sponge into one end to totally seal it up.

 

I sewed a "sleeve" from some coarse filter foam with a fat needle and fishing line. It's working great! (As you can see... it's "cleaning day")

I might use black next time though, hehe...

I can slip it on and off for cleaning. The nice thing about the one I made is that it also covers the notches at the top of the filter basket. I had a premade intake sponge on it before, but it left The notches exposed and it caused me to lose a mystery snail who got its foot caught in the tiny hole. after I had taken so many precautions! I felt pretty terrible about it. This design serves me much better and you can make it whatever size you want.