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Posted: **Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:19 am**

So, I recently got a new 55 gallon tank for my turtle, Ruari, and am looking into a Penn Plax Cascade, either a 700 or 1000. Anyone have one that could tell me what to expect? I have about a $200 budget if anyone has better suggestions. Thanks.

Posted: **Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:00 pm**

I have not heard great things about the Cascade. For $200 I think you can do better. The Rena XP3s are widely used and recommended by folks on this site. There are a few of us that have an Eheim 2217 that give it good recommendations. It may be too large for your tank but folks also seem to really like the Fluval FX5 - you can pick up one of those on ebay

Posted: **Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:11 pm**

Recently I've seen Fluval FX5's going for about $200-250 on ebay. That's basically the ultimate filter you will buy, it will work for larger tanks when you need to upgrade.

I personally have a Rena XP3 and I'm very happy with it. I got it for about $120 on ebay.

Posted: **Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:54 pm**

If you have a $200 budget, then go straight for the FX5. That's the king of all canister filters.

But about the cascades, they don't have that great of a reputation. Everyone seems to have problems priming them, as well as issues with it gurgling, making noise, blah blah. It doesn't seem like that great of a filter, and if you were looking at that size range, I would spend the extra bucks and get a Rena XP3.