Penn Plax Cascade 500 Filter

Question
I'm looking at this filter online and it looks difficult to setup? Is it hard to do and u do sit the canister on the floor? Right?

Answer
Hi Thomas,

This is the same filter I have. It's not difficult to set up, the instructions are actually clear - at least compared to the English translation of the German instructions that came with my Eheim. Now THOSE were a pain!

It does sit on the floor. It's purple, it has a rubber bottom, and there are two valves, one for intake and outtake. They have tubes, one tube goes to the intake (strainer) and another goes to the outtake (I use the spray bar, it works really well) parts, and these go in your aquarium. It's hard to explain until you see it, but basically all canister filters work the same...
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-canister-filter.htm
Maybe this will help give you an idea of how they work.

I don't think you will have trouble getting this filter hooked up. Just follow the instructions and it should work like a charm. You can write back if you have questions, but until you see the parts and all, it won't make much sense.

Good luck, and hope you do end up buying it! I used nothing but hang-on back filters for the longest time, but my two canister filters are really my favorite filters now. They can go forever without needing a cleaning (I let mine go about 3 months) and they are so versatile, you can put anything in them. I pack mine with ceramic noodles and sponges, I don't bother with carbon or anything disposable.

Take care,
Nicole