---
product_id: 13023261
title: "Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2"
brand: "penn-plax"
price: "R1989"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Penn Plax"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/13023261-penn-plax-cascade-400-submersible-aquarium-filter-cleans-up-to
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# 110 GPH flow rate Thick bio sponge for bacteria Adjustable directional flow Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2

**Brand:** penn-plax
**Price:** R1989
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 💦 Elevate your aquarium game with crystal-clear confidence!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2 by penn-plax
- **How much does it cost?** R1989 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/13023261-penn-plax-cascade-400-submersible-aquarium-filter-cleans-up-to)

## Best For

- penn-plax enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted penn-plax brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Whisper-Quiet Operation:** Runs silently so your tank stays peaceful and your sleep uninterrupted
- • **Customizable Filter Media:** Large capacity cup lets you tailor filtration to your tank’s unique needs
- • **Sleek, Submersible Design:** Compact and discreet—perfectly hidden while maximizing tank aesthetics
- • **Precision Water Flow Control:** Adjustable pump head and spray bar for optimal aeration and circulation
- • **Triple-Action Filtration Power:** Physical, chemical & biological filtration for pristine water clarity

## Overview

The Penn Plax Cascade 400 is a compact, fully submersible aquarium filter designed for tanks up to 20 gallons. Delivering 110 gallons per hour, it combines physical, chemical, and biological filtration with an activated carbon cartridge and a thick bio sponge to maintain healthy, clear water. Its adjustable pump head and optional spray bar optimize water flow and aeration, while the large filter cup allows customization of media. Quiet and easy to clean, this filter blends seamlessly into your tank setup, making it a top choice for millennial aquarists seeking reliable, efficient filtration.

## Description

Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2

Review: Pretty good for 10-20 gallon - I've recently upgraded my tank size and changed my filter to a different brand. The time I did use this though it was great. I do plan to use this filter again for an upcoming project that I'm working on so I'm not just throwing it into storage because I really does have good filtration. Like some of the other reviews, I was quick to throw away the carbon cartridge and use my own mixture of media instead. I'm not a fan of carbon which is a heavily debated topic for aquarium enthusiasts. Anyway, pros and cons. Pros: - Works great out of the box and is pretty quite. I slept very easy with the filter on - The attachments are nice to have for multi use cases to ensure you get all the uses you can out of the filter - Cleaning is very easy - The bio sponge is very thick and has a good amount of surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow in. It will probably last you a very long time as long as you clean it properly and don't have any bad water cycles running through it Cons: - The attachments are very cheap feeling - The filter itself feels cheaply constructed so be gentle with it - The suction cups do this filter no justice and pop off easily - The way the filter pulls water in can actually start pulling gunk up into the media chamber past the initial bio sponge so I had to make a black square with my own bio sponge to block any open spots to keep my media clean Despite the cons, for the price: 5/5 all around If you just need a filter to do it's job on a 10-20 gallon tank this is your best bet in terms of having a submersible filter with bio, mechanical, and chemical filtration at this price point. If you are going any larger on tank size I cannot recommend this product line and suggest you look else where. Just my 2 cents.
Review: Great little filter - I like to use two filters in my tank, a HOB and a submersible. I love this little filter. It does a great job with helping to keep things clean even with my dirty goldfish, circulates the water better in my 75 (compared to just one filter hanging on one side of the tank), and the two options for spray bar or aeration are unbeatable. It's not perfect, but for the price and options its a great value.

## Features

- Fully submersible aquarium filter quietly delivers 110 gallons per hour of crystal clear water for your fresh or marine aquarium from 10 to 20 gallons in size.
- Activated carbon cartridge removes harmful chemicals, toxins, odors, discoloration, and other contaminants for your aquarium.
- Internal sponge optimizes colonization of beneficial aerobic bacteria. Large capacity aquarium filter cup allows you to choose your own filter medium.
- Pump head with adjustable and directional water flow. Cascade internal filters provide better filtration; physical, chemical and biological while also aerating water.
- Spray bar option allows you to distribute water evenly helping aerate your tank. Fish tank filter can be placed horizontally and is easily hidden.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Brand | Penn-Plax |
| Capacity | 20 gallons |
| Included Components | Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2 Included Components Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2 See more |
| Installation Type | Submersible |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 2.75"L x 2.5"W x 9.5"H |
| Item Weight | 16 ounces |
| Material | Plastic |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Product Dimensions | 2.75"L x 2.5"W x 9.5"H |
| Purification Method | Physical, Chemical, and Biological |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Penn-Plax
- **Material:** Plastic
- **Product Dimensions:** 8"L x 5"W x 2"Th
- **Compatible Devices:** Fresh & Circular System
- **Item Weight:** 16 ounces
- **Global Trade Identification Number:** 00030172024320
- **UPC:** 030172024320
- **Number of Items:** 1
- **Manufacturer:** Penn Plax
- **Product Grade:** New

## Images

![Penn Plax Cascade 400 Submersible Aquarium Filter Cleans Up to 20 Gallon Fish Tank With Physical, Chemical, and Biological Filtration, CIF2 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61O2ymLA8tL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Size** options.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pretty good for 10-20 gallon
*by M***. on January 27, 2021*

I've recently upgraded my tank size and changed my filter to a different brand. The time I did use this though it was great. I do plan to use this filter again for an upcoming project that I'm working on so I'm not just throwing it into storage because I really does have good filtration. Like some of the other reviews, I was quick to throw away the carbon cartridge and use my own mixture of media instead. I'm not a fan of carbon which is a heavily debated topic for aquarium enthusiasts. Anyway, pros and cons. Pros: - Works great out of the box and is pretty quite. I slept very easy with the filter on - The attachments are nice to have for multi use cases to ensure you get all the uses you can out of the filter - Cleaning is very easy - The bio sponge is very thick and has a good amount of surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow in. It will probably last you a very long time as long as you clean it properly and don't have any bad water cycles running through it Cons: - The attachments are very cheap feeling - The filter itself feels cheaply constructed so be gentle with it - The suction cups do this filter no justice and pop off easily - The way the filter pulls water in can actually start pulling gunk up into the media chamber past the initial bio sponge so I had to make a black square with my own bio sponge to block any open spots to keep my media clean Despite the cons, for the price: 5/5 all around If you just need a filter to do it's job on a 10-20 gallon tank this is your best bet in terms of having a submersible filter with bio, mechanical, and chemical filtration at this price point. If you are going any larger on tank size I cannot recommend this product line and suggest you look else where. Just my 2 cents.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great little filter
*by D***1 on September 20, 2021*

I like to use two filters in my tank, a HOB and a submersible. I love this little filter. It does a great job with helping to keep things clean even with my dirty goldfish, circulates the water better in my 75 (compared to just one filter hanging on one side of the tank), and the two options for spray bar or aeration are unbeatable. It's not perfect, but for the price and options its a great value.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Can be customized, decent for the price, but has several weak points
*by B***L on October 3, 2019*

I bought this as a secondary filter in a larger tank to polish out some tannin staining and fine particles. I removed the included media, cut the sponge in half, added a layer of polishing floss, some ceramic media then a small bag of bio chem zorb. Its working great, it could serve in a smaller tank (like 10G) as a primary filter if set up right. Its very quiet. and has been very effective even with the media swap it still has decent flow. About the "fish eating bottom intake hole": Mine came with a removable guard, I'm considering gluing it in place (regular crazy glue is aquarium safe) but it seems to stay put. I don't know if this is a new update or if they fell out in shipping for others (its a small disc) Weak points: The spray bar: it slides in place, would have been better if it was twist on, or locking, for long term use I think I will just glue it with some silicone later, I have bumped it a couple times and it fell off and it sinks to the bottom. The plastic is on the thin side. The Cord length is fine for short tanks but short enough to limit choices on placement in a tall tank. The suction cups hold glass well, but every time I try to remove it they stay stuck to the glass and separate from the unit. The bases are small, and material flexible. Its not hard to put them back on but its annoying to have to do it every time. Even with these weak points its a great buy for the price and very useful. It would be worth getting an extra as an emergency backup in case your main goes out.

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-08-16*