Penn-Plax Cascade 600 Fully Submersible Internal Filter – Provides Physical, Biological, and Chemical Filtration for Aquariums and Turtle Tanks

Using filters in a turtle tank can be difficult. Using this filter in a turtle tank was extremely easy.Set up is effortless and works for months before filter changes are needed. I do suggest you change the filter and cartridge at least every three months to maintain filtering efficiency. I highly recommend this filter.

My 10 gallon planted tank has horrible substrate that clouds the entire tank up for a week every time I stir anything up. It also had a severe algae problem due to the high light requirements of my plants, overdosing fertilizers, and temporarily being overstocked by my juvenile angelfish. My old filter from a different brand got clogged up with nasty algae and broke, so the tank got really bad in the 2 days it took my to get this new filter. Boy, am I amazed by it!I chose to use the spray bar attachment instead of the jet output, because I didn't want to stir up my plants, and this tank is supposed to be a betta tank. The current is strong enough to gently move the hairgrass but not too strong to blow everything around. I had to remove the middle compartment with the carbon because the filter was just a little too tall for my setup. As you can see, the horrible condition of my tank improved drastically in only 3 days!I believe it's important to note a few of the concerns addressed by other reviewers.1. The spray bar popping off. I found out that when you first stick it on, the spray bar looks like it is attached, but when you look very close you may notice it's not quite on. Push it harder and you'll hear a click. Now it's very secure and isn't going to pop off any time soon.2. Fish sucked up through the bottom. This had to be a defective product for those reviewers, because I tried figuring out how such a thing was possible and if the filter is properly assembled and not broken on arrival it is most definitely not possible. The holes in the bottom are no larger than a typical filter input strainer, so if your fish are large enough to not get sucked into a standard filter there is no risk of them getting sucked into this one. Baby fish, yes. My very small neons love to hang out under the filter and they haven't had a problem. I did sadly lose one to a water change siphon a few weeks ago, so I feel if anything's going to be sucked up they are pretty prime candidates.3. Noise. When my filter came in the mail the carbon compartment had popped open and little pieces of carbon had gotten everywhere, including inside of the impeller compartment. It took a lot of careful disassembling and jiggling for me to get it out, and it was very rattle-y until I did. That may very well have been the problem for those unlucky reviewers as well.This filter is so quiet I can't tell it's on if not for the very nice current it makes. My other tank has significantly louder filters. Overall I think so far this is the best internal filter I've bought, and I've bought 5 different brands over the past 10 years, so that's saying something.

ooook so i've been using two of these for my turtle tank for several years. never thought to give a review. the product itself works. i've tried many filters over the last few decades caring for a turtle and two of these 600s work well for me and my turtle.i never thought to review this filter till something went wrong, unfortunately.i recommend the product.BUT i purchased a new filter and i believe they sent me a dirty, used filter.the item showed signs of dampness with the instructions stuck to the filter,it didn't come with some attachments that it usually does,there was gunk in the sponges,there was gunk on the filter,etc.i don't mind. i cleaned it, replaced the sponge and added my carbon case that it didn't come with, and tossed it in the tank and it's working.but for those of you who care about receiving a new product if you pay for a new product should be wary

The media could not be loaded. Today is the 1st day up and running, and not sure yet if I can give it 5 stars, but a solid 4. As can see in the video, I ditched the charcoal and added bio rocks in that compartment. It popped open, but not disturbing anything so leaving it alone until I have to go back in. I ordered some Seachem Purigen and will have to alter the bag to make it fit somewhere in there on the sponge side to really clear the water. It's a tight squeeze in the foam cavity to add much of anything without impeding the flow of the filter, unless you decide to cut the foam and add layers of what you like. (maybe a future plan) and can always stack it back if do not like it.So far I really like that it is super silent compared to my HOB filter. My plan was to run 2 together to get this going and seed it, but the HOB bit the dust and became really loud, so unfortunately, I am hoping this cycles fast with Safe Start and also ordered some Seachem Stability (should be in next week). I rinsed my old sponge filters in the tank from the HOB, and have to say was not impressed as it took hours and hours to clear the tank, and still some stuff floating around (that was yesterday). Not as effective as the HOB suction wise, but I think because it's too new and the bacteria are not established to help filter the water, the stuff is just blowing through the pores of the sponge, as not multi layered. I am not seeing much of anything actually being sucked into the filter, but it must be because the outflow is really strong.I am running this on a 29 gallon tall flat back hex. The setting is set just above slow to get some air bubble going, and is really strong. I wish the attachment was a bit taller as when you adjust, it likes to come off easily. I tried the spray bar, and although was nice, if not adjust properly you will get a shower and will go all over. The floor got a nice cleaning today :). I since went back to this attachment to control the flow. My angel likes to swim in the current as with the guppies, but is okay and not fighting it too much, just enough to play in.So that is my review. I will update it in a few weeks to see if I like it more or less. So far I am glad I got it...It is now a few weeks later and upgrading my rating to 5 stars! Once it got going and established, it works fantastic! I will never go back to a HOB filter again. Does a great job, very pleased, use in conjunction with a sponge filter knocked my nitrates down to 20 ppm. LOVE IT!