This filter works so much better than I expected. I've had my saltwater tank for over 15 years and had to replace my previous filter. I was hesitant to spend the money but decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. This filter is quieter, easier to use, and is more effective than any filter I've ever used. I've taken it apart and put it back together a few times just to make sure it wasn't going to develop any problems. I have not had any problems and I can't even hear it run"¦. And my water is crystal clear. I keep thinking"¦ why didn't I buy this 10 or 15 years ago! My fish would have been so much happier and my life easier.
To anyone thinking about buying this"¦ just do it. You won't regret it.

I'll start off by saying that this filter has some amazing power to it and the set up was fairly straightforward, HOWEVERRRRR in order to prime this filter my husband really had to put his back into it, it was only when he began twerking over the priming button and really getting into it, as if he were an extra in a Karol G music video, that this thing managed to get primed. FYI set up took about 5-10 min getting it primed took OVER AN HOUR, I almost returned it.

So"¦1 new 75 gallon tank containing maybe 60 gallons of water, 1 very messy turtle who does get fed in the tank, 1 new Cascade 1000 filter with the included filter media only, and 1 person with no canister filter experience. All I knew was that I was tired of smelly cloudy water in his old 55 gallon tank with a fish tank filter only, and did not want to repeat the experience. Unfortunately, we had to put the turtle in the new tank about 3 days before the filter arrived, so as you can see from the first two "˜before' pictures, we really put this filter to the test with totally smelly unfiltered water. There was a big difference in 24 hours, but It took about a week to get the awful water to become nicely see-through again, and a couple more days to get rid of most of the pond smell. The water did not get crystal clear until after the first filter change. The first filter media lasted about 3 weeks before the water began to cloud up, so I had to start the new media in slightly cloudy water, which it totally cleared after 3 days. I expect to only change the filter once a month or so now that the water quality is under control. **Update: It was 5 weeks before I decided to change the filter again, and the water was still clear.** When I changed the filter, I rinsed the bag of charcoal and the sponge biofilter in the water that was still in the filter after taking the baskets out. I put the bag of charcoal in the bottom basket again and the sponge biofilter in the top. I put a new bag of charcoal in the middle basket as well as floss in each basket. After reading some other suggestions, I also stuffed a little pillow floss around the top basket. **Update: This turned out to e a very good idea-see the last picture.** I will also probably use bio rings and only one new charcoal bag each change or two as time goes on.
As a first-time canister filter user, I looked at all the reviews and pictures and filter media suggestions before deciding to purchase. This was the one that both fit my budget and had great reviews, so I decided to try it. It came with all the filter media in the three baskets in order, and with the shut-off valves put together. (Whew). I had no trouble putting it together, cutting the hoses to length, and priming it. I did discover you need to prime by pushing the button very fast. (After the first filter change, I did not need to prime, the hoses were already full of water, and I had put about an inch in the filter, so when I turned it on, everything started).
I have included several pictures of my exterior filter and hose setup. It was difficult for me to find pictures that showed the whole setup in detail. I hope these will be helpful to other beginners. I understand how it works now, but had no idea in the beginning. I hung my hoses off the back of the tank next to the wall. (The top of my tank is 1 ¾ inches from the wall, the glass part is 2 inches from the wall. I cut my hoses to about 40 inches in length. The hoses do touch a bit of the wall, but I could get them off by moving the filter.) I put the filter directly below the tank and have it plugged into a power strip, which makes it easy to turn on and off. I have the filter in a plastic crate because I am paranoid, but have not had any leaks from anywhere in the system. It also makes clean up easier if I spill any water when I unhook the filter. The filter is almost silent after it fills. The "˜waterfall' from the tube is quite loud, but natural sounding. I used three of the 4 aerator tubes to bring the water farther out into the aquarium. I get some water out of the tube holes, and the rest pours out the end. Turtle seems to enjoy playing in the waterfall. The suction cup holders do a great job holding the waterfall tubes out of the water "“ see picture, but are not able to hold the intake tube in place. I put 4 on it but destructo-turtle easily pulls the tube out of the holders. It still stays hooked over the side and does not move very much, but I will be glad when I can block it off and get gravel in the bottom to distract him.
I am so impressed with this filter, my turtle never had it so good. Five stars isn't enough.

Update** I have had this filter running every day for the last 3+ years. Still nice clear water. I have been using bio-floss in each basket, a bio sponge on the top in the lower basket, activated charcoal on top in the middle basket, and bio-rings on top in the top basket. I still stuff floss down the side of the top basket.

I recently purchased the Cascade 1500 Canister Filter as a replacement for my previous 1200 model, which unfortunately developed a leak. Here's my experience with this canister filter:

Efficient and Quiet Filtration:
One of the standout features of the Cascade 1500 is its ability to deliver crystal-clear water with minimal effort. The filter operates quietly and efficiently, maintaining a peaceful environment for aquatic life in the tank. With a water cycling rate of 350 gallons per hour, it's well-suited for larger aquariums, up to 200 gallons in size.

Versatile for Different Tank Types:
I appreciate the versatility of this filter, as it can be used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It's also a great option for turtle habitats, making it a versatile choice for various aquatic setups.

Convenient State-of-the-Art Features:
The push-button primer feature simplifies and expedites the priming process, while the two independent valve taps that rotate 360° allow for easy maneuvering, even in tight aquarium cabinets. These features make maintenance hassle-free and user-friendly.

Customizable Filtration:
The inclusion of five stackable, large capacity media baskets gives aquarists the freedom to customize their filtration setup. This flexibility is valuable for optimizing filtration for different tank conditions.

Comprehensive Filter Media:
The Cascade 1500 comes with a selection of filter media, including five Poly Fiber Floss Pads, one Coarse Bio-Sponge, and one bag of Activated Carbon. These media not only promote the colonization of anaerobic bacteria but also effectively trap floating particulate matter, remove harmful chemicals and toxins, clear up discolorations, and reduce foul odors in the aquarium water.

Included Items and Specifications:
The package includes two independent valve taps, flow rate control cut-off valves, swimming-pool style hose clamps, four easy lift alignment clamps, a sturdy tip-proof base, and all the necessary filter media. The filter itself measures 11.5" (W) x 12" (D) x 20.5" (H) and operates on 110 Volts / 60 Hz with a power consumption of 45.5 W.

Overall Impression:
At this point, everything seems to be working flawlessly with the Cascade 1500 Canister Filter. While I did experience a leak with my previous model, I'm hopeful that this one will remain leak-free for years to come. The filter's quiet operation and ease of use have been consistent positives, and I'm satisfied with its performance so far. It's a reliable filtration solution that caters to the needs of various aquatic setups, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it continues to perform in the long run.

So my wife and I are not exactly new to aquarium keeping, but definitely not experts. We started off with a big named HOB rated for well over a 75g tank. However we fought clarity issues and the "biowheels" not working well and fighting constant clogging. Immediately after fighting the fight with ich we got a massive bacteria bloom that the HOB could not keep up with. Following the bloom our tank completely crashed, I mean ph and everything went every direction but right. Instantly decided to look into canister filters and switching to sand substrate. Within 24hrs of switching substrate and setting up the 1000 our tank was crystal clear, our parameters are very stable and most importantly our fish are happy. I looked at canister filters that way more, I looked at building a sump system that would run me through the ringers... absolutely worth the money