Buying guides
Equipment recommendations organized by tank size, growing style, and compatibility. We publish a buying guide only once every product in it has been verified.
All buying guides
Best Planted Tank Lights for 48-Inch Tanks (55 and 75 Gallon) (2026)
Catalog lights listed to fit a 48-inch tank, such as a common 55 or 75 gallon, with notes on depth, width, fit edges, and controls.
Best Aquarium CO2 Regulators and Parts for Planted Tanks (2026)
Regulators for refillable CGA-320 cylinders and the diffusers, tubing, bubble counters, and drop checkers that complete a planted tank CO2 system.
Best Aquarium Light Timers and Smart Plugs (2026)
Plug-in timers for aquarium lights and CO2 solenoids, grouped as mechanical, digital, and smart plugs, with rated loads and outage behavior.
Best Aquarium Water Test Kits for Planted Tanks (2026)
Test kits matched to the job: cycling a new tank, checking GH and KH for CO2 and shrimp, tracking phosphate, and quick strips versus liquid tests.
Best Aquascaping and Maintenance Tools for Planted Tanks (2026)
Planting tweezers and kits, magnetic glass cleaners matched to glass thickness, and siphons for water changes, each sized to the tank it suits.
Best Fertilizers for Planted Aquariums, by Need (2026)
All-in-one liquids, single-nutrient supplements, root tabs, and a carbon supplement for planted tanks, matched to what your tank actually lacks.
Best Filters for Planted Tanks: Canisters and HOB Picks by Tank Size (2026)
Canister and hang-on-back filters for planted tanks, grouped by the maker's rated tank volume, with media capacity, placement, and maintenance notes.
Best Planted Tank Lights for 10-Gallon Aquariums (2026)
Two plant lights that fit the common 20-inch 10-gallon tank, compared by bracket range, controls, output at depth, and plant-specific design.
Best Planted Tank Lights for 20-Gallon Aquariums (2026)
Plant lights matched to the 24-inch 20 high and the 30-inch 20 long, with notes on why the deeper 20 high and 29 need more output.
Best Planted Tank Lights for 40-Gallon Aquariums (2026)
Plant lights matched to the 36-inch 40 breeder and the 48-inch 40 long, with notes on fit edges, width, depth, and controls.
Best Rimless Aquariums for Aquascaping, by Footprint (2026)
Rimless low-iron tanks for aquascaping, grouped from nano to 60 cm and larger, with exact dimensions, volume, glass thickness, and leveling notes.
Best Substrates for Planted Aquariums: Soils, Gravels, and Sands (2026)
Active aquasoils, porous clay and mineral gravels, and sands for planted tanks, compared by water chemistry, startup ammonia, and long-term upkeep.