About us
Planted Tank Central helps freshwater aquarium keepers build planted tanks that thrive, with practical guidance and equipment advice that starts from your actual tank.
What we publish
We write educational guides on planted-tank fundamentals (lighting, CO2, substrate, filtration, fertilizers, and maintenance) and equipment advice organized by compatibility: tank dimensions, growing style, and what else each piece of equipment needs to work.
Today that includes practical guides from your first tank to injected CO2, buying guides matched to tank size and growing style, product reviews, side-by-side comparisons, and a free setup finder that builds an equipment checklist from your tank’s real dimensions.
Who we write for
- Beginners who want a manageable first planted tank without buying gear they don’t need.
- Low-tech keepers who want healthy growth without injected CO2.
- Hobbyists moving to pressurized CO2 who need compatibility and safety guidance.
- Experienced aquascapers comparing specific equipment and its trade-offs.
How we work
Our content is currently research-based. It draws on manufacturer documentation, plant and equipment makers’ published guidance, scientific and extension sources, and established hobby practice, and every article lists its sources. We do not claim to have tested equipment unless a page clearly says so and describes how.
How we choose products
- Compatibility first: tank length and depth, growing style, mounting, and the accessories a product needs.
- Exact identity: brand, model, and variant confirmed against Amazon’s official product data.
- Specifications taken from the manufacturer’s own documentation, with the sources listed on each page.
- Only products rated 4 stars or higher by buyers on Amazon when we check, re-checked as we update pages.
- Every recommendation says who it suits and who should skip it.
The full method, including how we handle corrections and dates, is in our editorial standards.
How the site is funded
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through some links on this site we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Details are in our affiliate disclosure. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not run display ads.
Who we are
Planted Tank Central is an independent website. Content is written and maintained by the Planted Tank Central editorial team.
Aquarium scenes on this site are illustrations, not photographs of products we have reviewed.