Search  for anything...

Penn-Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter (1500 Elite)

  • Based on 230 reviews
Condition: New
Checking for product changes
$169.99 Why this price?

Buy Now, Pay Later


As low as $28.33 / mo
  • – 6-month term
  • – No impact on credit
  • – Instant approval decision
  • – Secure and straightforward checkout

Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout. Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, PayTomorrow, Affirm, Apple Pay, and PayPal. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Free shipping on this product

This item is eligible for return within 30 days of receipt

To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.


Availability: Only 10 left in stock, order soon!
Fulfilled by Amazon

Arrives Saturday, May 18
Order within 16 hours and 45 minutes
Available payment plans shown during checkout

Features

  • $237 Value. Cascade Black Elite filter kit for aquariums up to 200 gallons.
  • Pumps 350 gallons per hour. Quick easy push button self-primer. Flow rate cut-off valves adjust water flow.
  • Includes filter, (1) Bio-Sponge, (1) Bio-Floss 6pk, (1) Pro-Carb 2pk, (1) Bio Rings 10oz and (1) Large Magna Sweep algae magnet.
  • Be up and running in minutes. Nothing else to purchase. It is all included.
  • Quick and easy monthly maintenance saves you time and aggravation.

Description

Cascade Canister Filters from Penn Plax offer heavy-duty multi-stage external filtration for your fresh or saltwater aquarium. The Cascade 1200 Canister Filter can handle aquariums up to 150 gallons efficiently providing up to 315 gph of flow. These filters allow you to combine the benefits of several types of media delivering powerful mechanical, chemical & biological filtration for crystal clear water in fresh or marine environments. Easy to install, these filters come with all the necessary accessories to connect to your tank and begin filtering in approximately 30 minutes and see visible improvement in less than a day! A quick push-button primer makes start-ups easy and the two independent directional 360-degree rotational valve taps make placement worry- free. Flow-rate control valves and swimming pool-style hose clamps make setup and adjustment easy. The popular cobalt blue color will look attractive next to your tank and the sturdy rubber mounted tip-proof rubber base keeps the unit in place. Each pump comes with large filter trays, start-up filter media & input/output tubing. The large filter trays mean you can use more media and have longer periods between replacement. An air-tight seal assures proper flow rate while maintain ultra-quiet operation. The easy-lift clamps make it simple to release the vacuum and remove the top for changing media or other maintenance. Directional returns help to suspend waste matter so it can be taken in by the filter leaving nothing but clear, clear water. Use any combination of media including bio-floss, bio-sponges, activated carbon and others to accomplish a wide array of aquarium filtration needs.

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No


Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.81 x 11.81 x 20.47 inches; 15.98 Pounds


Item model number ‏ : ‎ CCF5BMK


Date First Available ‏ : ‎ December 12, 2016


Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Penn-Plax


Frequently asked questions

The Cascade 1500 Elite Canister Filter is designed to handle aquariums up to 200 gallons. It has a flow rate of 350 gallons per hour.

The Cascade 1500 Elite provides exceptional 3-stage filtration, ensuring your aquatic environment is clear, healthy and well-balanced. Its 'elite' status is due to a number of added features including Bio-Floss, Bio-Sponges, and a high-quality Activated Carbon Pouch within the package. It also has easy-to-use push button primer and two independent directional 360 degree rotating valve taps.

Yes, the Cascade 1500 Elite is engineered for quiet operation while providing maximum flow of water hence it should not cause any significant noise disturbance when in operation.

The maintenance schedule can depend on the size of your tank and the number of fish, but usually, a monthly cleaning is sufficient. Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and the longevity of the unit.

Top Amazon Reviews

🚀 Abunda's Overview

This is our summary and key points to consider based on customer reviews.


The Cascade Canister Filters are praised for their effectiveness in keeping tanks clean and for their durability, particularly with more active or messy aquatic creatures like turtles. The product is commended for its efficiency in large tanks as well. However, users suggest learning how to set up the tank for specific species and conditioning the filter to function properly with the right amount of water and medium. Some reviews mentioned issues with noise and the priming button, though these seem to lessen over time.

Pros

  • 🐟 Effective in keeping tanks clean
  • 🐠 Quite durable, able to withstand active creatures
  • 🐡 Efficient for large aquariums
  • 🌊 Can be conditioned to function properly with right water level and medium

Cons

  • 🔊 Can be noisy initially
  • ⏳ Priming button issues reported
  • ⚙️ Setup and maintenance may be tricky
  • 💰 Some users experienced issues with incorrect product versions delivered

Should I Buy It?

Yes, the Cascade Canister Filters are a good purchase especially if you have a large tank or active, messy creatures. The minor issues such as noise and priming seem to decrease with time and usage. Make sure to learn about the specific setup and maintenance requirements for your tank for the filter to function effectively.


  • A little finicky but great results.
Cascade canister filters generally get the best reviews or tie with other top brands. We have a turtle in about 35 gallons of water. She’s messy. And she likes to push on the tubing and see what she can use in an escape attempt and what she can sinply destroy for amusement. Luckily, this filter has been holding up after I anchored it in place with some minor (easy) adjustments such as tying it from above. Some helpful advice. When starting it up, put it where you want it (at the same level or below the tank) and pour treated water into the filter until it’s pretty much filled up. This means you will have less to pump when you start it up. If that’s too difficult because of placement, you can just pump a few times and then walk away for a bit. It should slowly start filling and take 10-15 minutes but sometimes that does not work. Also, try not to kink your tubes. The shortest and most direct path seems the best. You can always buy more tubing Pretty cheap. I snipped off a two inch piece and used it as a turtle toy. When it comes to the filters inside the canister, each type of pet is different. Remember that the water goes into the canister and down the sides before entering the filters, meaning that the bottom filter is the first filter that the tank water passed through. That should be your course filter. The top is the last and should be your fine filter. For our painted turtle, we use charcoal somewhere near the top of the stack and leave it there for several cleanings before replacing. We use cermic media near the bottom to purposely help grow the good bacteria that is naturally there and keeps our turtle healthy. Cleaning the canister filter depends on so many factors. See how it looks in a month or less and go from there. I think we clean ours every 1-2 months. Constant water changes help but a lot of debri gets in the filter before we have a xhance to add more water. The ceramic media meant to grow good bacteria is best just rinsed off in tank water (removed from the tank first and then tossed) and the rest of the filters can be rinsed out in the bath tub under running water. Remember to keep things in the right order. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019 by Adam Bier

  • Here are some tips if your having trouble with Filter!!
I have had this filter for five months and had some ups and down. It is good to look up how to setup your tank for you specific species either fish or turtles. I have two turtles that are swimmers and I found this filter can not be used with half full tank it needs to be almost full for it to filter and function correctly . ALSO you need to correct medium for the job look on Youtube for different setups for fish finding setup up for turtles had to search Google for correct filter setup and correct medium(filters) for my tank. SO after you have run filter and need to change the medium this way worked loading the filter with medium can be tricky because it effects how your filter is primed to run the water . 1) shut valves on supply and return lines off and remove hoses.take whole filter into kitchen sink (you will need the room) make sure you have bucket under when removing hoses 2) remove top let it drain in sink 3) Remove all baskets from filter and throw away the floss filter and wash the course filters and carbon filters. 4) the floss filters get real nasty sometimes usually first time around . 5) look up your setup on youtube (size of tank what kind of fish or turtles so-on_ 6 ) replace filter medium in order described on youtube. 7) here is the key fill canaster to above top grate and replace top pump 8) Hold primer button down and add water to inlet hose which is the blue one I believe until water flow comes out of outlet connection. 9) hook hose connection to pump and plug in you will need to pump primer button until you get good flow coming out steady stop then start again if it slows till you get a good flow. This works the best for me and less time cosuming I have tried forcing water up inlet pipe priming like a mad man on the primer button all took tones of work to do except mentioned. Very good product would recommend and make sure you look up your medium setup on Youtube or google . Good Luck ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2018 by Mrcrowley

  • And they are extremely loud makes a lot of noise it is a bit Quieter if you put it on the floor so I recommend you don’t put it on the same level as ...
Ordered 2 elite units and received 2 regular ones without the extra filter media and other stuff specified which I payed an extra 20$ each for (40$ total). And they are extremely loud makes a lot of noise it is a bit Quieter if you put it on the floor so I recommend you don’t put it on the same level as the tank. The one makes like a whistling type sound and the other one makes a swishing sound every few minutes or so. The ones priming button didn’t work I had to fill it with water first and suck water through the output hose (swallowing fish water) in order to get it working. They’re louder than hang on the back filters. Extremely disappointed. I would not buy again or recommend to a friend. I would like a refund and to send them back. Don’t buy unless you don’t mind the sound. And also don’t buy the elite units it’s nothing different from the regular one and they charge an extra 20$ for it specifying extras but send a regular unit and it doesn’t come with any of the specified extras. Totally disappointed and feel like I got ripped off. Beware don’t buy the elite units total rip off. Paid 350$ and was sent the same thing I could of paid 300$ for. UPDATE: 7/10/18 Contacted penn plex and they sent me 2 Additional units. Actual Elite units with the specified extras. Great company and great customer Support 5/5 stars the units also quieted down after a couple days of running. Great units for the price. Would recommended to a friend and will order again in the future. Thanks ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018 by TSorr

  • Great filter
I use it for my 75 gallon aquarium, it keeps it very clean
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023 by Amazon Customer

Can't find a product?

Find it on Amazon first, then paste the link below.