cascade 300 cheap but good?

**oty6231** · 07-06-2012, 04:52 PM

When I bought a used tank I got 2 never opened cascade 300 filters. I think these are meijer brand. Any way they are rated for 100g tank pushing 300gph each on my 55g so with two of them thats even better. They have a great dual set up with a sponge and a carbon filter. Tank is clear and filter media is building very well. Also has a wave thing in the water flow for bacteria build up. Anyway iv read a number of reviews from good to bad and wanted to hear yours I have great luck so far! Thanks guys

**dbosman** · 07-06-2012, 09:46 PM

Any filter has it's pluses and usually some minuses.
The Penn Plax Cascade 300 is a bit smaller than most of us would like, but you're using two which will probably do what you need. A drawback to the Cascade series is that it's harder to modify for DIY media than several other filter brands.

These clam shell frames might fit, but I've not tried them in a Cascade.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=11352

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-06-2012, 10:23 PM

I use that filter on a 29 gallon and find it's not enough to work alone on that tank. I have another on my 55 that works with my canister filter. For that tank it's fine because it doesn't knock my tall plants over. They are not the greatest filter but really. What ya want for $30?

I ripped the cartridges out of mine, added an Aqua Clear sponge and a bag of biomax. A moderately stocked 55 gallon tank may be ok with those filters but not nearly as good as using a canister with one of them.

**oty6231** · 07-06-2012, 10:51 PM

What would you say I should with one exactly?

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-06-2012, 11:16 PM

If you don't over stock your tank, they should be OK. Maybe next year you may want to upgrade filtration.

If you are planning on putting 7 goldfish in this tank, then I would recommend adding a canister filter sooner than later.