Search  for anything...

Penn-Plax Cascade Max Flow Canister Filter - 820 GPH Aquarium Filter for Tanks Up to 250+ Gallons - 360 Degree Flow Valves, Poly Fiber Pads and Bio-Sponge - Fresh & Saltwater - 16.6 x 15 x 23.6 in

  • Based on 10,351 reviews
Condition: New
Checking for the best price...
$366.96 Why this price?

Buy Now, Pay Later


As low as / mo
  • – Up to 36-month term if approved
  • – No impact on credit to apply
  • – 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, Affirm, Afterpay, Apple Pay, and PayTomorrow. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Selected Option

Free shipping on this product

FREE 30-day refund/replacement

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 Wednesday, May 13
Order within 13 hours and 43 minutes
Available payment plans shown during checkout

Protection Plan Protect Your Purchase
Checking for protection plans...

Size: CMF1


Style: Cascade Max


Features

  • Sparkling Water Made Simple - This Aquarium canister filter delivers 820 GPH to maintain clear, circulating water in tanks up to 250+ gallons. Ideal for freshwater, saltwater, and turtle habitats, it supports consistent movement throughout the tank while operating with smooth, reliable performance.
  • Custom Filtration Control - Four large stackable baskets with built-in handles allow hobbyists to tailor aquarium filtration using included floss pads and bio-sponge. This layered system helps capture debris, manage discoloration, and support a cleaner aquatic environment.
  • Easy Upkeep, Every Time - Designed as an External Aquarium Filter with a push button primer for quick startup and dual 360 rotating valve taps, it allows easy maneuvering and controlled flow adjustment - even inside tight aquarium cabinets where space is limited.
  • Complete System, Compact Fit - The Penn-Plax cascade filter includes Poly Fiber Floss Pads, Coarse Bio-Sponge, spray bar for surface movement and a sturdy tip-proof base. Measures 16.6" W x 15" D x 23.6" H.
  • Penn-Plax Legacy - With over 60 years of innovation, Penn-Plax creates expertly crafted, dependable pet products designed to enrich habitats, inspire creativity, and promote the health and happiness of pets everywhere

Description

PENN-PLAX presents the Cascade Max Flow Canister Filter. Without effort, this canister filter runs at a stunning 820 Gallons per Hour, and is purposely designed for larger aquariums, ranging from 164 to 273 gallons. Though, optimal size is 205 gallons. It’s compatible for both freshwater and saltwater setups, and is great for turtle habitats! Those little guys sure poop a lot, and everything they touch becomes completely dirty! With this monstrous filter, you don’t have to worry about all that! On the other hand, it’s typical for aquarists to either incorporate multiple filters in their setup, or spend the time and money to customize according to their needs. Coming in to handle a heavy workload, the Cascade Max Flow can meet various needs, and very well go beyond!Easy Way to Get a Dirty Job Done: We all know that maintenance on a canister filter can get messy, and honestly, a bit frustrating at times. As for the Cascade Max Flow, there’s no need to unscrew tubes! Simply release the value base from the filter’s top! Maintenance made easy!Cool and Unique Features: In addition to a simple and intuitive set up, the Cascade Max Flow Canister Filter is self-priming, and features durable and secure non-slip pads. The two 360° independent valve taps rotate fully, allowing the included large diameter tubes to handle a steady and powerful water flow. Flow rate can be adjusted by the top’s handle.Convenient, Customizable, and Colossal: Inside the belly of this beast, there are 4 large stackable media baskets / trays, with built-in handles for utmost convenience of handling. While the Cascade Max Flow Canister Filter comes with Bio-Floss Pads and a coarse Bio-Sponge, you can place additional filter media inside to best meet your aquarium’s demands.That’s One Big Filter: Overall measurements are 16.6” (W) x 15” (D) x 23.6” (H)

Brand: Penn-Plax


Capacity: 820 Gallons per Hour


Included Components: Max Flow Canister Filter


Model Name: CMF1


UPC:


Manufacturer: Penn Plax


Unit Count: 1 Count


Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 24.9 x 21.3 x 17.4 inches; 28.15 Pounds


Item model number ‏ : ‎ CMF1


Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 26, 2021


Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Penn Plax


Best Sellers Rank: #206,848 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #977 in Aquarium Filters


#977 in Aquarium Filters:


Customer Reviews: 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars (56)


Brand Name: Penn-Plax


Included Components: Max Flow Canister Filter


Model Name: CMF1


Model Number: CMF1


UPC: 030172101267


Manufacturer: Penn Plax


Part Number: CMF1


Item Type Name: Aquarium Filter


Unit Count: 1 Count


Capacity: 820 Gallons per Hour


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Wednesday, May 13

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

  • Klarna Financing
  • Affirm Pay in 4
  • Affirm Financing
  • Afterpay Financing
  • PayTomorrow Financing
  • Financing through Apple Pay
Leasing options through Acima may also be available during checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Top Amazon Reviews


  • Big Sucker! Big powerful filter, great water flow, keeps my tank clear. Huge media baskets!
This filter is big! The space needed for this filter is approximately 2 ft tall X 18in around it! This filter will be hard or impossible to fit under anything that doesn’t have at least 2 feet of clearance under it. The picture above shows the box that the filter comes in next to my 35in truck tire! This filter keeps my 133 gallon tank cristal clear with ease. It’s quiet and has massive water flow. The inlet and return hoses are large. I recommend letting them acclimate to room temp (maybe applying a small amount of heat with a blow dryer) and straightening them out so they are easier to manipulate into position. Filter noise is not really noticeable and I have my filter completely exposed under my aquarium, (shown in my pictures) My aquarium stand doesn’t have doors, or a enclosure of any kind to cover it and muffle sounds coming from all my aquarium equipment. This is a great filter. I highly recommend it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2023 by Ruralreviewman

  • Very Simple Setup
The media could not be loaded. Installed the Penn Plax Max Flow canister filter on a 120 Gallon tank. Very straightforward hook up. Just add the 30 ppi 1.57 inch sponge in the second tray and top of with one inch fine filter pad. Fill the third tray with biological media. Siphon the aquarium water using a hose and fill the Max Flow canister by unthreading the top right side cap until full. Thread the cap back and plug in the filter. This is a self priming filter and within a few seconds the water will come out through the spray bar. Allow the unit run overnight to clear the air bubbles and the air noise. Once settled as you can see from the attached video no more bubbles and becomes quieter. The unit consumes 44.2 watts when tested with Kill-A-Watt meter. Overall seems to be well made and performing as expected. Haven’t had a chance to clean the filter yet. Seems like a good value for the money. Because of its size it would not fit under the tank stand. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024 by ProductAdvisor

  • Worst experience I have ever had
I purchased this product off of Amazon when I receive the product. I set up my fish tank. I then set up all the filter equipment. I filled the fish tank up. I filled the canister up. I locked everything into place put the hoses correctly. I did everything the instructions told me to do, I plugged the filter up and it would not prime or it just made a loud humming noise. I spent three days trying to prime the filter manually because it would not automatically prime and start the Internet for suggestions. There are no videos explaining how to get the filter working properly I searched Reddix and everything and kept coming to the solution of checking the impeller when I checked the impeller it was dirty. I was told to remove it rented off and give it a little spin and try it again. That still did not fix the problem I was been told to possibly replace the impeller , unfortunately nowhere on the Internet the pin Plex website Marine reef nowhere can I find the impeller for the max pro I find it for every other filter but not the max pro I try finding contact information to reach the retailer. I finally contact Amazon to return the item for being defective , they gave me the runaround told me that I had to return the filter which I agreed but that it would take up to 30 days for them to receive it in there location and check it before I was able to receive a new one. I’m so frustrated. I have a fish tank sitting in my living room filled with water ready to be filtered and I have to wait 30 days to receive a new filter . ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024 by Raven Holmes

  • Best large canister filter!!!!!!
This filter has been a work horse. I have had this filter for about a year and it’s still working great. I am a canister fanatic. I own FX6, Eheim pro 3 XL, Aquael hypermax, Oase 850, and odysea cfl1200. The max flow is by far my favorite large canister filter. I have a netlea pre filter attached and still have strong flow. I rarely write reviews but want people to know to save themselves some money and get this Filter! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2025 by Brandon J.

  • Great filter
I am so happy I bought this filter! The first one I received didn't work, but Amazon took it back and I purchased a second one. It works great in my turtle tank.
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025 by Ms. Brown

  • Excellent filter for turtle tanks
This is an excellent filter. I’ve used Cascade filters for my turtle tank in the past and found that while they worked well and held up for years, they just were not powerful enough to keep my 75 gallon tank clean. This filter was easy to put together, and within 24 hours my tank was the clearest and cleanest I’ve seen it in years. I’m thinking about getting a second one for back up. This is a great filter and good value for your money. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2025 by Jennifer Gorbutt

  • Find something else.
I've had this filter a year now, it's been a nightmare to set up. Each time you clean the filter it's an issue getting it to pump water again. Then good luck finding the filter media that properly fits this filter. I would never purchase this product again.
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2025 by Michael Perkins

  • Powerful and affordable
I've had this filter running on a red eared slider stock tank for a couple months now. The stock tank is 180 gallons and we've put it in our basement. I elevated the tank with cider blocks under it. The filter is slightly lower than the tank. It does take a bit of priming to get it to start. I imagine in a normal setup this wouldn't be a problem. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2023 by Gary Holmes

Can't find a product?

Find it on Amazon first, then paste the link below.
Checking for best price...