Aquariums · Shopping list

Planted tank starter list

Everything a first low-tech planted tank needs besides the tank, the plants and the fish, sized to the tank you have.

This is the gear for a low-tech planted tank: no CO2, a modest light, easy plants. Pick your tank size and the filter, heater, light and substrate change to match. Quantities assume a substrate that slopes from about 5 cm at the front to 9 cm at the back, and a room that runs about 7 °C (12 °F) colder than the tank. If your room is colder, run the heater calculator first.

The list

Size 10 gal, 20 in 20 gal long, 30 in 29 gal, 30 in 40 gal breeder, 36 in 55 gal, 48 in 75 gal, 48 in

Equipment

Fluval AquaClear AC30 filter, 10-30 gal Hang-on-back filter. Easy to service, and the media basket takes whatever you put in it.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

Eheim Jager, 100 W Sized at about 4 W per gallon, rounded up to the next heater size. The 75 gets two smaller heaters, so one sticking on can't cook the tank.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

NICREW ClassicLED Plus, 24-30 in, 18 W Budget light with a built-in timer. Enough for low-light plants like anubias, java fern and crypts.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

AQUANEAT digital thermometer Cheap and easy to read. Worth having even with a good heater.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

Substrate

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum, 17.6 lb Bag count for a 5 to 9 cm slope across this footprint, worked out the same way as the substrate calculator.

× 2 Check price at Amazon

Water and upkeep

Seachem Prime, 500 mL Dechlorinator. 5 mL treats 50 gal (190 L), so 500 mL lasts a long time.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

API Freshwater Master Test Kit, 800 tests Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. The four numbers cycling runs on.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

NilocG Thrive, 500 mL All-in-one liquid fertilizer. A low-tech tank needs a fraction of the full dose; the dosing calculator works it out.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

Aqueon Siphon Vacuum Gravel Cleaner, medium, 9 in, 15-35 gal Squeeze-bulb start and a 6 ft hose with a bucket clip. Rated for 15 to 35 gallon tanks.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

Liveek aquascaping tool set, 4 piece Long tweezers, scissors and a spatula for planting and trimming.

× 1 Check price at Amazon

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Not on the list

The tank, a lid, a stand, plants and fish aren't here. Glass tanks ship badly, and big-box pet stores run sales on them often enough that buying one in person is nearly always cheaper. Plants are best bought from a local store or a hobbyist, since they ship poorly from Amazon sellers. Cycle the tank before adding fish; the cycling guide walks through it.